Barbara Palmer

Barbara Palmer is a contemporary American Folk Artist who lives with her family on the southwestern shore of Lake Ontario in Hilton, a suburb of Rochester, New York. As a second generation artist, she produces original designs for her paintings, prints, note cards and children’s books.  “I wish to convey a sense of warmth and softness with the use of techniques found in American Folk Art.” Many of Barbara’s paintings are inspired by a simpler life in times past.  She paints from personal impressions of places she has visited and transforms today’s mayhem into a vision of serenity and tranquility.  While painting, Barbara hears a peaceful cacophony of springtime bird songs, summer cicadas, rustling falling leaves and the hush of falling snow.  Her paintings often feature a four season theme.

At age four Barbara already knew she would be an artist.  She began her career with informal study of watercolor at Rochester Institute of Technology, various art classes at All Of Us Art Workshop, and drawing and painting classes at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, New York.  She studied old masters painting techniques with Professor Philip Jacobson for four years and has two years of study in American decorative painting techniques.  Initially, she focused on portrait painting, using egg tempera and oils, but has since evolved as a folk artist, author and illustrator. Her husband, John, uses his creative talents in custom framing Barbara’s art.

Adding prose to her paintings, was a natural step in Barbara’s growth as an artist.  As a result, award winning books were written, illustrated and self-published by Barbara Palmer.  They include  THE JOURNEY OF CATTAIL, FINDING FIDO THE FELINE, A CLUE FOR YOU: TAIL IN THE TEAPOT and  A CLUE BOOK FOR BOO BOO.  The books all feature finger spelling with American sign language. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of her books is donated to the Humane Society.

Currently, Barbara is combining theorem painting and reverse glass painting, two old painting techniques from colonial times.  Since 1982 Barbara has participated in over 700 art festivals in 13 states.  Her many customers include Colonial Williamsburg Museum Store in Williamsburg, Virginia and the Museum of American Folk Art Store, New York, New York. She has been honored to be included in the Directory of Traditional American Crafts 2011, affiliated with Early American Life Magazine and has enjoyed many ribbons won at various festivals.

Barbara has recently updated her sales strategy to include an online platform with a new web site, www.bpfolkartpress.com, Facebook, BARBARA PALMER: FOLK ARTIST and sales on Etsy.