Author: dancingpalmtrees

An African/Native American Queen, Wordsmith, Photographer, Free Spirit and Teacher.

Mardi Gras Extravaganza Makeover

On By dancingpalmtreesIn Uncategorized3 Comments

Mardi Gras Extravaganza Makeover. Gloss. Glitter. Feathers. Wig. Tangerine Screams.

dancingpalmtrees's avatarRoaming Urban Gypsy

Mardi Gras Extravaganza with Tangerine Scream Highlights

Mardi Gras Extravaganza Makeover

Contains Feathers, gold and silver glitter plus gloss for shine.

In the Beginning  Feeling washed out and rather dull even though Her Tangerine Highlights were screaming quit Loudly!

img_20180905_181032_331

New, Improved, Upgraded and Enhanced!

Diva with a Weeva

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AweSome AweTism Adventures Art Project

On By dancingpalmtreesIn Abstract Art, Abstract Folk Art, Art, Artist, Artworks in Progress, Autism, Autism Activism, Autism Activism Advocate, Autism Activists Advocates in Action, Collages, Folk Art, Mixed Media Picture/Photo Collages, Modern Art, Photo Collages, Stephen, Stephen as a Mighty Autism Warrior!!!, Stephen as Autism Warrior!!, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Stephen's Photo-Collage Art Project, Stephen's Picture/Photo Collage, Surreal Deal Artworks, Uncategorized5 Comments

 

 

Stephen's finished Photo Picture Collage
Stephen’s finished Photo Picture Collage

 

Stephen's Collage in Progress
Stephen’s Picture Collage in Progress

 

 

AweSome AweTism Adventures Art Project

 

 

Where I’ve been and Where I’m Going

August 16th after ten years of service I retired from the museum.

I’ve had the privilege to be surrounded by beautiful lovely wonderful art on a daily basis as well as excellent co-workers who are artists. Being around gifted and talented people stimulated me to start creating my own artworks of Mixed Media Collages and eventually acrylic paintings. This gave me the opportunity to participate and exhibit in several exhibitions.

Some of my paintings and collages:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UbhMM99bxqpJYN5o7

Now that I’m retired I’ve decided to devote even more focus and determination towards my artwork. Back in April I opened my Etsy Shop.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SurrealDealArtworks

I’ve also identified a building on Fulton Street near Rockaway Avenue as a potential Art Gallery.

 

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/J4Sfo4iAJ3QLn7tu8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/J4Sfo4iAJ3QLn7tu8

 

There are many artists in my neighborhood but perhaps they don’t have a place to exhibit and sell their art. I want to change that. Manhattan does not have a monopoly on art galleries.

Brownsville/Bed-Stuy has been classified as working class and of course the neighborhood has it’s share of Homeless Shelters, halfway houses and folks receiving government assistance. Poverty does not have to be an obstacle. If the people here especially the young people have an art center where they can come to create and display their artwork it will not just change the neighborhood but will change their world. Creation gives you a purpose and an element of control over their lives. Here is a clip from the documentary Humble Beauty “Skid Row Artists”

https://youtu.be/k_b5yxP8pYw

Art Activism

In order to make this happen I’m asking for a donation of $125 or whatever you can afford. 

This will help me build my base. My foundation. So that I may be a credit and a help to my neighborhood and expand my program to Queens. My future plans are to extend my program to Ghana where a young Ghanaian woman operates a Center for Children and Adults with Autism.

 

Art Autism and Activism

I’m especially interested in returning art to adults with Autism because my brother Stephen Palmer has Autism. His training Center AABR located in Jamaica, Queens, NY had to lay off the Art Teacher due to budget cuts. AABR has the space. The classroom is available but no Art Teacher. I want to fix that by giving Adults with developmentally disabilities the opportunity to explore their creative abilities.

Below is an example of some art Stephen has created. Once of his favorite artists and influences is Basquiat. Stephen created the photo picture collage at my house during a home visit. I’m determined that Stephen should and must have art in his life therefore when we spend time together we often got to the Brooklyn Museum as well as other New York City area museums. I keep art supplies in my home so Stephen can create to his hearts content. However Stephen’s friends at AABR may not be fortunate to have family or friends to give them an art opportunity. Therefore I intend to rectify this situation.

 

Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage

 

stephenpalmerart
Stephen Palmer painting

 

My desire is that you will be able to make an investment not just in me but in folks who don’t have a voice to give them a voice through art.

Thank you.

—

DeBorah Ann Palmer

ROAMING URBAN GYPSY

https://roamingurbangypsy.com/

 

You may contribute via PayPal using my email address: deborah.palmer280@gmail.com

 

Twitter

@Dancingpalmtree

http://twitter.com/dancingpalmtree

Pinky: “Gee, Brain, what do you want to do tonight?”

The Brain: “The same thing we do every night, Pinky—try to take over the world!”

 

 

 

 

Brooklyn Public Library

On By dancingpalmtreesIn Brooklyn Public Library, Library Cards, Manhattan Public Library, NYPL, Queens Public Library, Saratoga Branch, Uncategorized4 Comments

 

20180926_125908

 

 

Brooklyn Public Library

Saratoga Branch

 

I have been living in Brooklyn for about six years. Today for the first time I paid a visit to one of the smaller branch libraries ~~ The Saratoga Branch just off Macon Street. Actually it was the first time that I went to any Brooklyn Library Branch but now that I’m retired No more time restraints.  I can visit as many Library branches as a I wish.

A bit of a walk but worth it. Basically I went to print a document. I was not successful however it is a nice library.  Very up to date and modern.  Air Conditioned.  I definitely will return to explore this branch in depth. Questioning the Librarian about different services I inquired as to whether I could used either my Manhattan or Queens Library cards.  Nope.  So after giving her my Drivers License ID, she made a new card for me right on the spot.  Quick service with a smile.

20180926_175047

 

When I was a kid growing up in Queens I practically lived in the Large Main Branch Queens Public Library located on Merrick Blvd.  As I spent most of my life in Queens I’ve had the opportunity to visit many Queens Library branches.  At my age I still remember the Dewey Decimal System and having to go through all those little cards to see if a book was available.  Amazing how technology has changed everything. No Dewey Decimal.  Everything is computerized.  Being that New York City is Multi-Cultural and International no matter what language you speak you can find a book available in that language.  The Libraries in New York City also provide many types of classes such as resume writing, job training, ESL, services for small children up to and including senior citizens, assisting students, etc…

 

Of course when I returned to college being an English Major I spent a lot of time in the Library.  Sometimes the one in Queens where I Lived at that time but mostly at the Lending Library on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue.  Now the other more famous Fifth Avenue branch with our favorite Lions Patience and Fortitude is a Research Library not a lending library meaning you cannot take the books out.  Given that some of the literature within is over 100 years old you can understand why.  I also did college research at this Library.  By the way just for trivia’s sake the Lions were given the names Patience and Fortitude by then Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. Mayor LaGuarida held office from 1934 until 1945.  His last name means, “Little Flower.”

Fiorello LaGuardia

Main Queens Library on Merrick Blvd
Main Queens Library on Merrick Blvd

 

Dear City of New York/NYPL System, Why pray tell does one have to get a Library card for each borough that you may either live or work? Now I have three Library cards. If I move to the Bronx will I have to get yet another one?  Library card Number #4? Strange.  Maybe I should establish a temporary residence in Staten Island so I can get Library card Number #5.  After all New York City does have five boroughs or counties as people in other states call them.  I feel like I’m making a collection of Library cards.

News Flash!

Some buddies just told me via Facebook that Manhattan, Staten Island and The Bronx all share one card.  Good.

 

20180926_182030

 

 

 

Main Queens Library on Merrick Blvd

 

 

Oddball Photo Challenge

On By dancingpalmtreesIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Wacky Wednesday

Unicorn Milk
Unicorns got milk? Who knew?
Wonder who is in charge of milking the Unicorns?

dancingpalmtrees's avatarRoaming Urban Gypsy

Oddball Photo Challenge

Kammie’s Oddball Challenge 9/13/18o

Unicorn Milk

Unicorns got milk? Who knew?

Wonder who is in charge of milking the Unicorns?

https://www.eliquid.com/products/cuttwood-unicorn-milk?variant=1049731117

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Are Beez Happy?

On By dancingpalmtreesIn Uncategorized6 Comments

Are Beez Happy?

Smiling Faces by the Undisputed Truth

https://youtu.be/8CJZcVi5BA4

Happiness? Such a strange odd concept.

The fake Bluebird of Happiness only comes to shit on you.

Shitty bird. Shitty bird.

Fix Your Face Bitch! Put the Facade back on!!

The more she chased after the elusive bluebird the more it mocked her as she slammed into one brick wall after another. All the while humming the Bobby McFerrin tune, Don’t Worry. Be Happy.

https://youtu.be/d-diB65scQU

Outsiders a chorus of Don’t worry. Be happy. Yet never explaining how you can drink poison and be beaten for ten years yet are expected to heal in one day. All the while in the midst of The Perfect Shitstorm.

Ladies and gentlemen we are back after that brief intermission from our sponsors, The Bullshit Express.

It’s been a banner year for idiots despite escapes from maniac Mansion run by the insane clown posse.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. And Remember to wear your painted on evil clown smiles.

LOCKSTEP MARCH! My Wooden Soldiers! Laugh. Grin. Giggle.

Snark. Snark. Snark.

Rebar. Rebar. Rebar. It’s rained for 14 days straight. Should we build Noah’s Ark?

Stuck in the middle with you

https://youtu.be/DohRa9lsx0Q

https://youtu.be/sgl1hQmjITY