This Artist Swapped Alcohol for Acrylics—Now He’s Thriving

Adam Palmer didn’t just change his habits—he changed his life. His eye-catching, collage-inspired paintings are rooted in presence, peace, and personal growth. Don’t miss his show at the San Clemente Art Crawl on May 29th—this is one artist to watch. #SoberArtist #CreativeClarity #SanClementeArt

Adam Palmer is building a life rooted in authenticity and artistic freedom.

He creates collage-style paintings, but not the kind you might expect. First, he photographs places—desert neighborhoods, architecture, textures, and moments that strike him. Then he arranges them digitally, layering details together like a puzzle until the composition feels right. Only then does he paint it by hand.

“I drive around for hours,” he told me. “Palm Springs, San Juan, anywhere that catches my eye. I take the photos, put them together in Photoshop, and then paint the final image.”

His work is a reflection of what it means to slow down and see the beauty that’s already around us. “I feel like paying attention to the beauty that surrounds us keeps us present and focused on what’s really important, not distracted by the noise of society.”

Since getting sober four years ago, Adam’s art—and his life—have been on an upward climb. He credits his momentum to cutting out the noise, staying aligned, and learning to take better care of himself: meditation, yoga, eating clean, staying present. “It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “I’ve taught myself everything, and now people are noticing. It’s turning into real work and real opportunities.”

And it shows. His paintings are full of saturated color, bold forms, and personal meaning. They carry the feeling of summer and familiarity, and each one is based on real locations. “There’s always a hint,” he said. “The painting titles usually give away the place.” They’re like a visual scavenger hunt, connecting California cities, desert drives, and everyday magic.

Adam is constantly finding ways to stay grounded and in tune with the moment. “I’m always trying to stay present,” he said. “To focus on the moment I’m in instead of rushing to the next thing. That’s where the best stuff happens.” Whether he’s sketching new ideas, painting, or simply walking through nature, his priority is presence—and it shows in the thoughtful, intentional rhythm of his work.

There’s a quiet intentionality behind the way Adam moves through the world. His circle is small, but it’s full of people who lift him up. “Over time, I’ve gotten clearer about the kind of people I want around me,” he said. “I want to be surrounded by creatives, goal-setters, people who are grounded but dreaming big. And weirdos—proper weirdos.”

Success, for Adam, isn’t just about selling paintings. It’s about showing up fully as the person he wants to be. “I want the success to come with a solid person behind it,” he said. “To show people it can be done the right way.” From where I’m standing, it’s clear—he already is that person.

You can see Adam’s work in the upcoming San Clemente Art Crawl on Thursday, May 29th. Until then, he’ll be out photographing cactuses, painting memories, and staying tuned in to what really matters.