Portraits

I am working on drawings and paintings from the photographs that I have taken during the last six months of travel in Louisiana.  I have met some very interesting people.  Every time I look at the photos I remember the drive, the weather, how the day went.  

I met Mr. Bobby Morgan, above, at his business Pioneer Flying Service in Pioneer, LA.  He and his employees were busy so he did not have time to answer a lot of questions.  Bobby founded this crop dusting and seeding business over two decades ago.  

I took this photo on a particularly spectacular day having just come from a walking tour of Poverty Point given by the head archaeologist there, Diana Greenlee.  Earlier that morning I drove by Wham Brake just after sunrise when ice was still on the ground.  The light was incredible.  I met two brothers in Oakridge who told me about New Bethany Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, founded in 1880.  Later in the day I drove through Mer Rouge and learned about Ben Lilly the hunter. On the way home I stopped in Bastrop for an delicious piece of lemon merangue pie at P.T.'s across from the court house.  A fabulous Saturday in January. 

Beginning of the portrait of Bobby Morgan.

"Identity" at Gallery Jatad with two Louisiana Artists

As an indirect result of traveling in Louisiana I have met other artists now and then.  Two of them Gabrielle Savoy and Vitus Shell will be exhibiting in the gallery that my husband and I own in Houston, TX. 

The exhibit dates are May 7 to June 13, 2015 at Gallery Jatad, 1517 Blodgett St., Houston, TX 77096.  You are welcome to join us for the opening reception on  Saturday, May 9th from 3-6 pm with an artist talk by Vitus Shell at 4 pm.

These two artists have an appreciation for Louisiana, family and heritage like I do.  Their own work is very much rooted to their life in Louisiana and the generations of family there. They each create work about the environment and culture that surrounds them by photographing and painting individuals and deciphering the archetypal characters in their communities.  This treatment of the portrait with other people either photographed or collaged into the backgrounds gives their work a very theatrical or film like quality.  Rather than the figures in a stationary position and in a one one one dialogue with the audience they seem to be moving on a stage, communicating with us the viewers as well as the community around them.

I hope that some of you will  be able to see the exhibit.  For more information call 832.657.4328 or write us at info@galleryjatad.com.

You can preview some of Vitus Shell's work on issuu.com .  You can view some of Gabrielle's work on her website at http://www.gabriellesavoy.com/.

Chocolate Waffles and Andouille Sausage

I have taken it on myself to test sausages and boudin from a variety of south Louisiana sausage and boudin makers.  My first sampling was a pork and green onion sausage from Lil' Cochon's (La Cassine, LA) in a gumbo.  Great flavor, a little too greasy so we drained some of the grease before adding the sausage to the gumbo.  We liked the fresh sausage in place of the andouille.  I would do that again.

Yesterday, I used andouille sausage from Best Stop Supermarket in Scott, LA with chocolate waffles. The andouille was very good.  Not too dry or too smokey.  It was great with the waffles, poached apple and homemade molasses syrup.  The waffle recipe was from All Recipes. 

I did not measure for the syrup but approximate amounts are: 1 Tbs butter, 1/4 molasses, 1/8 cup sugar or to taste, 1/2 cup water - simmer until desired thickness.  

I will be posting recipes related to Louisiana travels now and then.

People in Lafayette and Scott, LA

In the last post I mentioned some people who I met in Lafayette and Scott, LA. I had the great fortune of meeting all of these people in one day and am still thinking about our visits and the impact of their information on my project.

I will start with the last first.  Angela Jean-Baptiste in Scott, LA who runs Begnaud House or La Maison de Begnaud which is the towns tourist and heritage center.  Besides housing a great selection of cds and dvds about Louisiana and mostly local music and musicians there are books about the area, tourist pamphlets, t-shirts from Scott's Boudin Festival which happens to be this weekend as well as lots of fun gift items.

Music and Videos for sale at La Maison de Begnaud in Scott, LA

Angela also writes for a local paper The Scott Connection and is working on a new Farmers Market that will take place once a month in Scott.  I happened to be at La Maison de Begnaud on a very busy day and witnessed Angela coordinate a luncheon for a large group that will happen in the garden at La Maison this weekend.  She is a powerhouse of energy and has great knowledge of the community.  

Before leaving Lafayette I walked around Elaine Bourque's garden and listened to her stories about gardening, creating new Louisiana iris hybrids and learning how to weave traditional Cajun blankets with brown cotton the way her ancestors did. Besides weaving the blankets Elaine has traveled giving demonstrations on the process of carding, spinning and weaving.  She is also working on a book that documents antique Cajun blankets and the women who made them. Many of these women are gone but Elaine talks to the families and records their stories. She also tries to get a copy of a photograph of each woman.  This is a huge undertaking of great importance to the preservation of not only the Cajun heritage but the talent and creativity of these women who would otherwise have gone unnoticed outside of their communities.  I am anxious to see the book in print as I know many other people will be.

A sample of Elaine's tradition Cajun weaving with brown cotton

One of Elaine's Irises (I think Lady Regina?)

At the Louisiana Iris Farms run by Jim Leonard and Bob Cole I was able to visit with Jim and Kathy Leonard and Jack and Carolyn Deshotels and Ben Rougeou. 
All wonderful people with great stories about Lafayette, heritage and their pursuits in farming, cooking and the Supper Club. 

Organic Satsumas

Jack Deshotels pot of Peppered Blueberry Jam

Jim and Cathy allowed me to wander around the Louisiana irises and Satsuma orange grove taking photos. Jack and Carolyn let me sit in the kitchen and listen to their stories while they made blueberry pepper jam. I visited with Ben as he was getting the grill ready for the Men's Supper Club night for the wives. A yearly tradition that takes place when the irises are blooming.  

Talking to these wonderful people reminds me of growing up in Baton Rouge on Essen Lane near the woods and fields before I-10 was built. The families in our neighborhood shared crawfish and invited everyone to their fish fries. Communities full of creative people who enjoy life and are open and generous to everyone they meet.  

Before leaving the area I had to stop in Scott and get some sausage.  There are a variety of places to buy sausage and boudin in Scott.  This trip I went to Best Stop and got three sausages and turkey tasso.  It is an amazing little store with a lot of traffic.

Sausages at Best Stop Supermarket in Scott, LA

Garden Happy

It has been raining in Houston a lot lately.  I am back in Houston organizing my photographs and scheduling my work days for upcoming exhibits.  The garden at my house is full of color and it is impossible not to photograph it too.  

Between Research Trips

The last six months has been 1/2 travel time for research in Louisiana.  I am going to be in Houston most of the time for the near future working on the artworks that are inspired by the research.  

Two of my photographs from trips in Louisiana will be in a group show in Houston called "WET: Fresh Fictions" at the Williams Tower. Camellia Grouping was taken during my last stay in Monroe. The other photograph, Leaf, is from the very beginning of my research trips to Louisiana. 

Everyone is invited to the opening reception at Williams Tower, on Wednesday, April 22, 6-8:30 pm.

2800 Post Oak Boulevard

Houston, TX 77056

Exhibition dates: Thursday, April 16 through May 22, 2015.

Leaf

Camellia Grouping

South Louisiana Iris Farm

A few images from last night's visit to a Louisiana Iris farm. More later from sunrise this morning.  

I visited the nursery for Louisiana Iris Farms run by Jim Leonard and Bob Cole. 

Jim is also the president of the Society for Louisiana Irises. Their convention is this weekend in Lafayette. 

The 2015 convention will be April 9 - 11, 2015. For info and registration form go to http://www.louisianas.org/images/pdf/2015_SLIConvention_Registrationform.pdf.

The property where the irises are grown also has Satsuma orange and persimmon trees on it as well as blueberries and grape vines that Jack and Carolyn Deshotels use to create wonderfully delicious pepper jellies and wine among other things.  http://www.louisianasweet.net/  Their products can be found almost every Saturday at the Hub City Farmers Market in Lafayette, LA.

The photos from sunrise until late morning.  One of my favorite irises was developed by Elaine Bourque and avid gardener who also grows brown cotton

and cards, spins and weaves the cotton into traditional style blankets like her Cajun ancestors.  Elaine is working towards a book that documents antique Cajun blankets and the women who designed and wove them.  Take a look at the beautiful champagne beige iris, Lady Regina.

Moon before sunrise at the iris farm. 

The beginning of sunrise.

Spider web at dawn.

Iris blooming.