Mi nombre es Juan Ramirez, naci en Cali, Colombia, tengo 38 años. Llevo doce en los EE UU he desempeñado todo tipo de trabajos en New York pero siempre he sentido ese gran amor por la lectura y la escritura por eso perteneci a este gran proyecto de Twelve Lives in Queens espero poder ser parte de muchos otros en el futuro y tratar de desarrollarme mejor en el campo de la escritura de mi vida solo puedo contarles de que he sido motivado por el gran carino de mi familia y he vivido y vivo en una constante lucha por encontrar la tan anhelada felicidad que ya llegara. Este soy yo a grandes rasgos.
My name is Juan Ramirez. I was born in Cali, Colombia 38 years ago. I have lived for twelve years in the U.S. I have had all sorts of jobs in New York but I always felt the great love of reading and writing and because of that, I joined this great project of Twelve Lives in Queens. I hope to be part of many others in the future and will try to develop in the field of writing. I can only tell you that I have been motivated by the great love of my family and I have lived and live in a constant struggle to find long awaited happiness. This is me in broad strokes.
Robert Trabold has a Ph.D. in Sociology with specialties in urban issues and the religious expressions of people in transition, especially immigrants. He is a social activist and has worked for many years in organizations devoted to neighborhood improvement and world peace. For most of his adult life, he has had a contemplative dimension which has grown stronger in recent years and presently is active in different meditation movements. He publishes contemplative poetry and articles on mystical prayer and its path. He also writes different kinds of poetry and teaches a poetry writing class in Fresh Meadows, Queens. He speaks five or six different languages helping him communicate with people of different cultural backgrounds. He lives in Jamaica, Queens.
Amanda Konstantine Perlmutter is a 16 year old who lives for the arts. She has accumulated a wide range of talents and skills such as: various forms of art (including mixed media), dance, writing, field biology, acting, clowning, and photography. Amanda has studied at HB Studio and Ballet Tech in Manhattan as well as several studios in Queens. Her poems and articles have been published online by Stand & Voice, The Keystone Connection, and Stage of Life, and in print by Teen Ink Magazine. Amanda self-published her first poetic anthology last year, it is called “Alternative”. Amanda teaches a poetry workshop at Barnes & Noble Fresh Meadows. For more information about her workshop, publications, or art, she can be reached at: ALWAYSWRITE28@AOL.COM
Dena Perlmutter has studied various forms of art since childhood. Dancing, art, photography, and writing are just a few of her passions. She taught arts and crafts classes in Queens and ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics in several dance studios. She wrote many short stories and poems. She runs her own children’s entertainment company www.speedotheclown.com with her husband Barry, and trains people to perform as clowns/magicians/face painters etc.. Her biggest passion is raising her children properly, she home schools her three daughters Amanda, Emily, and Bella.
Dena@speedoandcompany.com
I am a native of Haiti. I was 19 when I came to New York where I went to College. Lately, I discovered writing as a tool to overcome solitude and keep occupied. I published The Haitian Child and Bilingualism and Life goes on, a Reflective Diary
Beatriz Olivetti, a Brazilian born New Yorker, has had her art studio in Long Island City, Queens, for about a year. She enjoys the artistic community she found in LIC and thrives at the collaborative possibilities that sprout in this neighborhood.
She is a graduate student in the John W. Draper Master’s Program at NYU. She received a BA in English Rhetoric and has a special interest in art and philosophy.
The art of Dalí, Miró, Gaudí, Kirschner, and Georgia O’Keefe have inspired her drawings since her childhood in São Paulo, Brazil, where visits to major museums and art foundations were critical to her artistic education.
Beatriz sees art as a way to explore philosophical concerns. The themes of her drawings speak of the ambiguity and absurdity of human existence. She thrives in the intimacy and aloofness of the urban setting. Her work illustrates the encounter between lingering sensibility and concrete persistency.
Contact info:
Born and raised in South Philly, Joey Kilrain’s artistic style evolves as a product of his ongoing life lessons. He integrates traditional media such as acrylic, pen & ink, papier mâché with mobile & web technologies. He cut his teeth at Art Institute of Philadelphia and SVA. His work has been exhibited in New York City at Ward Nasse, Church of St. Paul the Apostle, ArtBreak Gallery, Governors Island, Art Gotham, Haven Arts. His work has been published in Adobe’s Web Design Journal, Village Voice, and New York Magazine.
Artist’s statement:
My soul has withstood many trials which has allowed for memory and mind to collaborate with many different media.
My inspiration comes from the trials my eyes have had to witness and my soul to confront. During the creative process, I relive the emotions that lie within my mind. Art acts as a catalyst by easing the thoughts of mayhem and producing a sense of healing.
As an artist, my work consists of snapshots of my life in various media. Such images emanating from both my memory and psyche are captured in acrylics, pens & ink and papier mâché.
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Joseph Kilrain + fine art & design = http://www.kilrain.com/
View the timeline of work = http://www.kilrain.com/paintings/
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My name is Sandra Arias. I am from Colombia. I came to New York in 1999, leaving my daughter with my mother in my home country. After I fell in love with the city, I decided to bring my daughter to live with me. When my daughter Nathalia Tello came here, she also fell in love with the city. What we saw is how different people from different countries meet here.
I first saw Queens from the sky. " From the sky?" you might ask. Yes, the sky, because from the airplane window, I saw a bunch of lights in different orders. There were so many I thought" Is this really one city?" I came from a small town in Colombia called Sevilla. I visited other big cities before but New York was different. I was so surprised to hear people speaking Spanish when my family took me to a Colombian Restaurant. 
My name is Aristotelis Sapokolos. I have the name of a philosopher. My parents are Greek. I was born in Toronto, Canada. Six months after I was born, I ended up in New York City. I've been living in Astoria since. 
Well, my name is Aurore.
But here in NY, it’s Aurora, I’m from Paris, I moved to NY three years ago and I can finally say that I am where I’m supposed to be, at last!
I love people. I love NY’s energy.
Here, I feel like myself. My creativity is kicking. The photographer in me just can’t get enough of it.
CIUDADAÑA DEL MUNDO!
Love to learn about different cultures. Love diversity
¡ There’s nothing like the mix!
believe the mixed kid
Juanita Lara is the daughter of Mexican Immigrants. She was born in the San Joaquin Valley, also known as the Agricultural Bellybutton of California. She moved to New York eight years ago to study philosophy and explore her creative side. Juanita is an activist, an artist and a closeted theater actor.
