Artist of the Month May 2025

William Palm

Hillside, New Jersey, USA

I'm a representational painter working in watercolor and oil, drawn to scenes that evoke a sense of nostalgia and make emotional connections, whether it’s a vintage train rolling into town or the quiet beauty of a coastal scene.   I’ve spent over 30 years as both an artist and an art educator, and I believe teaching and creating go hand in hand.

After earning my MFA in Representational Art, I committed more fully to my own art practice and now work from my home studio in Hillside, New Jersey. I continue to teach classes and workshops locally, sharing what I’ve learned with others. My goal is to create artwork that sparks a sense of wonder and memory, allowing viewers to connect with the familiar in a new, heartfelt way.

How and when did you start creating art?

I first discovered my love for art when I was 13. I had a wonderful art teacher who helped me complete my first acrylic painting of two pandas sitting on a fence. I still remember the moment I finished it and thought, “I really love doing this.” That was the start. I went on to study Fine Art at Montclair State University and became certified to teach art. I worked hard to develop my skills over time, and I’ve always been inspired by teachers and artists who encouraged me along the way.

After years of teaching and painting, I earned my MFA in Representational Art from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2011. I’ve always believed that being an artist and an educator goes hand in hand. After 32 years of teaching, I decided to retire, so I can fully focus on my art business.  Teaching is a part of my inner artist, so I continue to teach classes and workshops at South Avenue Art in Garwood, NJ. I now work full-time out of my home studio in Hillside, NJ, continuing to paint, share, and grow.

What media and genres do you work in?

I primarily work in watercolor and oil, creating representational paintings that reflect my impressions of the world with a touch of poetic atmosphere. My work often captures seascapes, trains, lighthouses, and nostalgic moments. While I focus on realistic techniques, I also enjoy expressing mood through color and value. I aim to evoke emotions inspired by memories.  Sometimes my pieces are called dreamlike or surreal, which I take as a great compliment. My artist’s mission is to connect the viewer with a place or moment that feels both real and timeless.

Who or what are your influences?

I’m influenced by classical artists like Winslow Homer, Andrew and N.C. Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, and William Bouguereau, as well as several Impressionists, especially in how they captured light and atmosphere. My grandfather, Joseph Cardone, was a commercial printmaker and played a big role in inspiring my creative path. I also draw inspiration from Sal Busacca, a professional artist and the father of my aunt and uncle, I feel art has run through our family in meaningful ways.

More personally, I’m deeply inspired by the places I’ve visited, oceanside towns, quiet countryside roads, and everyday scenes that hold emotional resonance. The natural world is a constant source of awe for me, and I’m moved by the stories people share when they connect with my work. Teaching art for over three decades has also shaped how I observe, reflect, and express creativity.  I have met several young and inspireational artists over my career, it’s all part of the journey.

What was your inspiration for

The Arrival

?

“The Arrival” was inspired by my deep appreciation for the power and nostalgia of steam trains, and by the people close to me who share that passion. This painting is part of a series that began as drawings I made for my train-loving nephew and a painting I created as a gift for my father-in-law. He was always encouraging me to “paint trains,” often showing me magazine articles about trains in art and insisting there was something meaningful in them.

What began as personal gestures quickly evolved into a broader exploration of trains as symbols of memory, movement, and timeless wonder.

In this piece, I wanted to capture the cinematic moment when a steam engine rolls into town, cutting through the everyday and commanding attention. The scene blends architectural references with imagination, creating a setting that feels both real and dreamlike. The boy in the red jacket is a nod to the childlike awe many of us feel time and again, when a train comes into view.

Describe your creative process?

My creative process begins with inspiration from a scene or memory, often sparked by references from a variety of photographs I find through research or from the places I visit.  I usually start by working on compositional ideas by drawing in my sketchbook, or sometimes I will paint a watercolor first.  For watercolor, I allow the spontaneity of the medium to guide me as I apply color, tone, and value to the piece. For oils, I take more time building layers of paint to develop a sense of depth and distance.  With each layer of paint, I find it important to establish a natural sense of light, shadow, and texture in my subjects. I try to maintain a balance between control and intuition, letting the painting evolve naturally.  Music or quiet time helps me focus and reflect on my work.  I revisit pieces multiple times before I consider them finished. 

What are you working on currently?

I’m currently working on two series in my art practice.  The first is a collection of train-themed paintings in watercolor and oil, inspired by my father-in-law’s encouragement to “paint trains.” His passion sparked my own deeper interest, and I’ve enjoyed exploring the emotional and historical resonance of these machines.

The second series is inspired by the coastal towns my family and I have visited over the years. These paintings capture the atmosphere and charm of these places.  Some of these paintings will be created in the studio, others will be painted on location. I really enjoy working en plein air when I can; it brings spontaneity and energy into my process. The variety between these two themes keeps me creatively energized and growing as an artist.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

In the near term, I’m focused on growing my online art business by expanding my presence on my website, and my artist shops on Fine Art America, and Threadless. I’m actively building a collector base through storytelling and deeper engagement with my audience.

Long term, I’d love to publish a collection of my work, participate in more juried shows and exhibitions, and continue sharing what I’ve learned through teaching. My mission as an artist is to create meaningful, beautiful work that resonates emotionally and spiritually. I hope my paintings evoke a sense of nostalgia and stir memories that connect viewers to something deeply personal and timeless.

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?

You can view and purchase my original artworks through my website www.williamjpalm.com.

I also  have artist shops on Fine Art America https://1-william-palm.pixels.com/ and Threadless https://williamjpalm.threadless.com/

I also sell directly through local exhibitions and shows, and I accept commission work. Feel free to follow my art journey on social media too, I'd love to connect!