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At age 92 he's one of WNY's busiest artists

George Palmer is known for his portraits
Posted at 3:36 PM, Nov 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-30 15:36:29-05

Artist George Palmer has all the necessary tools of the trade, brushes, paint, a good eye and steady hand, but he says the work is still a challenge adding "you can never look at a blank canvas and think I'm going to do a masterpiece today because you are never sure."

He knew art was for him back in high school. After serving in WWII he went top art school in New York City. George Palmer has spent a life behind the easel, much of the time painting portraits of politicians, business people and plain folks.

Some of his most viewed pieces are on display at Shea's Performing Arts Center. It's a series of portraits of famous folks with Western New York connections. Lucille Ball was the first one George painted. He had to work from a photo that she selected. Producer, Director Tom Fontana sat for his portrait with one request George says "he wanted to be painted in a t-shirt which I found unusual, but that's the way I did it."

George Palmer stays busy with his commissioned work and teaching. He says he really had no idea that he's still be creating art at age 92. He has a solo show coming up at the Kenan Center in May 2018.