Baccatality, Unit 1

I had the honor of repainting Bacchus' "Baccatality" floats this year, at least Units A and C with a touch-up on Unit B.  Here is the way it looked before they added the sculpture, lights and skirting to it again.

"Endangered Species" Portrait Make-Over for Zoo's Carousel

Here are three different portraits for the Zoo's Carousel.  They are are various stages of being installed.  In the first, you can see the edge of my ladder.  In the last, you see the tiger from the ground looking up.  There will be 16 in all, so I have 13 more to go!  

When Pigs Fly...

I had the privilege of painting an interior wall at Gulf Coast Bank's branch, located at 3200 Magazine Street.  The room is currently designated as a meeting and event space for the bank, and has an incredibly airy feel.  The old brick wall was quite a challenge to paint on, with all its crevices and chiselled texture.  I think it all looks spectacular, if I do say so myself!  

New Geaux Fish Shrimp Bo

 Due to some damage from a leaking fish tank, I had to repaint the shrimp boat.  I had the opportunity to exercise more artistic license this time, and I'm happier with the result.  8 1/2' x 10'.  It was done in the home studio on canvas and attached on site over the damaged wall by David Mancuso.

Two New Portraits

As some of you may know, I am focussing my effort this summer on improving my artistic skills drawing people.  It is the biggest and most important challenge any artist faces in my opinion- truly capturing the essence of another human being.  

 I completed these two portraits today, though I may decide to tweak them further.  The first model is a work started in Carol Peeble's portrait class.  The second is one I tackled on my own.  It is of my dear friend, Vic Shepherd, a New Orleans troubador who makes this living playing music for social events.  I feel I captured his jovial spirit. 

Father John Craft

I decided to try my hand at a formal portrait, and my friend, John Craft, happily obliged.  He is a fascinating man; he is a trial lawyer representing criminals for the state, the trombone player and business manager for the New Leviathan Oriental Fox Trot Orchestra, an Episcopal priest, and the father of five children, three grown and two teenagers.  Where he gets the time for all this, I have no idea!  

On Fire!

This is an 8 1/2' T x 10 1/2' W muslin backdrop I made for Rick Delaup's "Bad Girls of Burlesque" show, which took place on May 31, 2014.  He envisioned something graphic which might incorporate flames and leopard.  I came up with the "silhouetted ladies" framing device to separate the two bold patterns.