Song Trails - Original
I worked on this beauty of Mr. Allen Toussaint for 2 1/2 years. Roughly over 2500 hours of work probably several more than that but just an estimate. If you have seen it in person the care and attention to detail is evident. From the twinkle in his eye to the twinkle in the sky & inlays on the hand made/hand stained frame. I was glad I had added his rolls royce when I was at the concert honoring him at Tips in November 2022 and they had his license plate displayed on the piano. If you know, you know. This portrait is an oil on canvas that I had a vision for while out on a run one morning. I had completed three others in this series and the idea of his songs traveling across the world while he stood still came to me. We are all interconnected and have bits of stardust in the very fiber of our beings. The pink in the background glows in the dark and the largest stars in the sky do as well. His sequined jacket is metallic violet and blue changing as you move past the painting. I did the inlays in the frame so that the stars in the sky sparkle when the light hits it just right just like when you are gazing up at the stars in the sky. This piece measures 34" x 43.5" x 3"
BAM - Original
BAM is my portrait of Professor Longhair. He is the third in my series inspired by the online streaming of "live" music we all experienced during the pandemic. If you have seen it in person the care and attention to detail is evident. From the detail in his signature glasses, to his magic hands & the inlays on the hand made/hand stained frame. This portrait is the oil on canvas original that slowly evolved as I worked on it. We are all interconnected and have bits of stardust in the very fiber of our beings. The hot pink in the background glows in the dark and the largest stars in the sky do as well. I did the inlays in the frame so that the stars in the sky sparkle when the light hits it just right just like when you are gazing up at the stars in the sky. This piece measures 28" x 21.5" x 3" framed.
All Stars - Original
All Stars is my portrait of James Booker. He is the second in my series inspired by the online streaming of "live" music we all experienced during the pandemic. If you have seen it in person the care and attention to detail is evident. From the detail in his shoe to the twinkle in the sky & inlays on the hand made/hand stained frame. This portrait is the oil on canvas original that slowly evolved as I worked on it. We are all interconnected and have bits of stardust in the very fiber of our beings. The milky way in the background glows in the dark and the largest stars in the sky do as well. I did the inlays in the frame so that the stars in the sky sparkle when the light hits it just right just like when you are gazing up at the stars in the sky. This piece measures 21.5" x 28" x 3" framed.
Podnuhs - Original
Podnuhs is my portrait of Dr. John. He was the first in my series inspired by the online streaming of "live" music we all experienced during the pandemic. The "smoke" in the background represents the music traveling through space and time. If you have seen it in person the care and attention to detail is evident. This portrait is the oil on canvas original that slowly evolved as I worked on it. We are all interconnected and have bits of stardust in the very fiber of our beings. The stars and smoke in the background glow in the dark and the largest stars in the sky do as well. I did the inlays in the frame so that the stars in the sky sparkle when the light hits it just right just like when you are gazing up at the stars in the sky. This framed piece measures 23" x 23" x 3".
"Père de la Musique Créole" (father of creole music)
My modern day take on a portrait of Amédé Ardoin. Amédé was an American Cajun musician, know for his high singing voice and virtuosity on the Cajun accordion. He is credited by Louisiana music scholars with laying the groundwork for Creole music in the early 20th century and wrote several songs now regarded as zydeco standards. Ardoin spoke only Cajun French so it was only appropriate that I name this piece "père de la musique créole." I took a lil' artistic license with this work. I only used his face from one of the two only know existing photos of him. The rest I made up. he was known for carrying around lemons to suck on to keep his voice sweet so I made sure his trucker reflected that. Check out his tag. This is a acrylic on canvas original that I created specifically for the Festival Acadian et Creoles festival in Lafayette 2022. I handmade the frame as well. The framed painting measures 22" x 18" x 3".
"Roi du Zydeco" (King of Zydeco)
Here’s my portrait of Clifton Chenier “Roi du Zydeco” (King of Zydeco). He was a native of Leonville, Louisiana, near Opelousas. He spoke Louisiana French as a first language.
Chenier began his recording career in 1954, when he signed with Elko Records and released Cliston's Blues a regional success. In 1955 he signed with Specialty Records and garnered his first national hit with his label debut "Ay-Tete Fi" (Hey, Little Girl) (a cover of Professor Longhair's song). The national success of the release led to numerous tours with popular rhythm and blues performers such as Ray Charles, Etta James, and Lowell Fulson. He also toured in the early days with Clarence Garlow, billed as the Two Crazy Frenchmen. Chenier was signed with Chess Records in Chicago, followed by the Arhoolie label.
In April 1966, Chenier appeared at the Berkeley Blues Festival on the University of California campus and was subsequently described by Ralph J. Gleason, jazz critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, as "... one of the most surprising musicians I have heard in some time, with a marvelously moving style of playing the accordion ... blues accordion, that's right, blues accordion."
Chenier was the first act to play at Antone's, a blues club on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas. Later in 1976, he reached a national audience when he appeared on the premiere season of the PBS music program Austin City Limits.Three years later in 1979 he returned to the show with his Red Hot Louisiana Band.
Chenier's popularity peaked in the 1980s, and he was recognized with a Grammy Award in 1983 for his album I'm Here. It was the first Grammy for his new label Alligator Records. Chenier followed Queen Ida as the second Louisiana Creole to win a Grammy. This original portrait is acrylic on canvas. I handmade the frame as well. The framed piece measures 18" x 18" x 3".
Fats Domino Avenue
Here’s my portrait of Fats Domino giving the okey doke to the renaming of Caffin Avenue. The New Orleans Street where one of the founders of rock n roll spent most of his life was renamed in his honor. I imagine he really would have gotten a kick out of this tribute and so I was inspired to paint this portrait. This original portrait is acrylic on canvas. I handmade the frame as well. The framed piece measures 18" x 18" x 3". Fun Fact: The sign glows in the dark due to my use of phosphorescent paint.
Allen Toussaint Blvd
Here’s my portrait of Allen Toussaint giving the okey doke to the renaming of Robert E Lee Blvd. to Allen Toussaint Blvd. I imagine he really would have gotten a kick out of this tribute and so I was inspired to paint this portrait. This original portrait is acrylic on canvas. I handmade the frame as well. The framed piece measures 18" x 18" x 3". Fun Fact: The sign glows in the dark due to my use of phosphorescent paint.
Be the Light Short Kimono
Fine artware handmade by the artist in her studio. Limited edition, no two are exactly alike. Textile printed in the USA designed & constructed by Nicole using her original oil painting "Shine" as the artwork. One size fits most. Kimono trimmed in luxurious fuchsia velvet with a hint of metallic and a peek of pink.
Abundance Short Kimono
Fine artware handmade by the artist in her studio. Limited edition, no two are exactly alike. Textile printed in the USA designed & constructed by Nicole using her original oil painting "Abundance" as the artwork. One size fits most. Kimono trimmed in luxurious velvet with a hint of metallic and a peek of teal.
Transformation Short Kimono
Fine artware handmade by the artist in her studio. Limited edition, no two are exactly alike. Textile printed in the USA designed & constructed by Nicole using her original oil painting "Transformation" as the artwork. One size fits most. Kimono trimmed in luxurious velvet with a hint of silver metallic and a understated harvest gold.
Transformation Short Kimono Lav
Fine artware handmade by the artist in her studio. Limited edition, no two are exactly alike. Textile printed in the USA designed & constructed by Nicole using her original oil painting "Transformation" as the artwork. One size fits most. Kimono trimmed in luxurious velvet with a hint of metallic and a peek of teal.