James Addison Palmer III was born in Savannah, Georgia in August of 1970. He has spent most of his life on the coast of South Carolina, on Hilton Head Island. He has been a gifted artist since he was a child, constantly drawing and painting the world around him. Addison was born into a family of creative people; his father, Jim Palmer, a painter and his uncle Walter Palmer, a sculptor. After graduating high school from Hilton Head High in 1989 he attended Brevard College on a full scholarship in art but also as a stand out distance runner.

After leaving Brevard, Addison moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia where he opened up his own gallery in 1994. From that point he has been painting wildlife and landscapes scenes for people around the world. He helps support local and national organizations to keep the beauty that he paints around him.

Addison is invited to teach art and to demonstrate his work around the world on cruise lines like Cunard and Seabourn. Addison teaches private and painting workshops throughout the eastern United States.