The Journey Continues....

This blog was about my journey and development as artist. I thank you for taking this journey with me. Please continue to follow my progress and development as a woman artist, living in Louisiana! I have a new blog site: http://mylifeoncanvaspartii.wordpress.com/2013/06/

Getting In The Grove

When The City Comes Alive

2nd Annual Courgar Jam

Last year, I blogged on my excitement going home for my High School fundraiser. Well, it's that time a year again. I have another painting I am donating for the silent auction. I will go in tow with plenty of prints for purchase. I hear there is prospect for rain. Hope the rain gods watch over this festival. It is for a great cause. In the time when other Catholic High Schools are having trouble staying afloat, support is important. Plus, it gives me a chance to see some of my old classmates!! Here’s hoping for another great event for St. Mary's as well as for me!! If you are in the New Orleans area, you should come out and support this event. Freddy Jackson is the musical attraction!!

Super Sunday

In New Orleans, Louisiana, which was a major port of entry for Sicilian immigrants during the late 19th century, the Feast of St. Joseph is a city-wide event. Both public and private St. Joseph's altars are traditionally built. The altars are usually open to any visitor who wishes to pay homage. The food is generally distributed to charity after the altar is dismantled. There are also parades i...n honor of St. Joseph and the Italian population of New Orleans which are similar to the many marching clubs and truck parades of Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day. Tradition in New Orleans also holds that by burying a small statue of St. Joseph upside down in the front yard of a house, that house will sell more promptly. In addition to the above traditions, some groups of Mardi Gras Indians stage their last procession of the season on the Sunday nearest to St. Joseph's Day otherwise known as "Super Sunday," after which their costumes are dismantled. This was taken from R.DeTiege's FB page

Super Sunday

In New Orleans, Louisiana, which was a major port of entry for Sicilian immigrants during the late 19th century, the Feast of St. Joseph is a city-wide event. Both public and private St. Joseph's altars are traditionally built. The altars are usually open to any visitor who wishes to pay homage. The food is generally distributed to charity after the altar is dismantled.[8] There are also parades i...n honor of St. Joseph and the Italian population of New Orleans which are similar to the many marching clubs and truck parades of Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day. Tradition in New Orleans also holds that by burying a small statue of St. Joseph upside down in the front yard of a house, that house will sell more promptly. In addition to the above traditions, some groups of Mardi Gras Indians stage their last procession of the season on the Sunday nearest to St. Joseph's Day otherwise known as "Super Sunday," after which their costumes are dismantled.

Cause It's Mardi Gras Time!

Hope your Mardi Gras was great! Thanks for the inspiration Cathy!!!

A Night of Magic

I love my High School Alma Mater. St. Mary’s has giving me some very special memories. The Debutante Ball is one of those great memories. In this painting, the bottom left shows my dad, my sister and I. The center debutant is my girlfriend Rhonda and her father. I have also depicted my mom and two aunts in the spectator row. It was such a special night in my life! Another piece of my history is forever captured on canvas!!

Inspiration

I never know when and where I will get inspiration. A former classmate posted a picture of her participating in African dance. BOOM! I had to put it on canvas! Thanks, Kim!!!

My Little Girl

A few months ago, my little girl (soon to be 21), spent the day with me. It was a great mother and daughter moment. I know that these moments can be rare in life. So, I cherish all I am blessed to get. We began our day by supporting a local coffee shop, 4 J’s Java and More. It’s a cute little coffee shop located in downtown Shreveport, La. It’s also African-American owned. Those moments spent chatting with my daughter inspired this painting. Another piece of “My Life on Canvas.”

Krewe of Highland Parade

This was my first Mardi Gras painting. It was done in 2009. I cannot remember who purchased it. I am doing a better job of keeping track of those that purchase art from me now. This is my distorted version of the style of art called, "stipple." It was a lot of fun for me to do.

Down In The Atchafalaya

This is a combination of acrylic and oil paint. I am usually too impatient to work with il paint. But, I managed to get throuugh it for this piece.

Funny how when you first meet someone, in your freshman year of High School, you have no idea the impact it will have on your life! Rhonda is my "ride or die" chick! Talk about big supporter! Rhonda has aquired many pieces of my art. Always there to give me feedback or my props! I so appriecate her love and friendship! I've been truely blessed to have her in my life! I am sure we have many more years of friendship a head of us. I may not say it often, I love you to pieces. Thanks for your support! -Kay

My Rock

This is the part where I tell you about all the great support I have in my life. It's important to say it, write it down and proclaim it to the world! So many times we take stuff for granted. So many times we don't take the time to tell the people in our lives how glad we are that they have been placed in our lives. Of course, first on my list are mom and dad! A child could not ask for two better parents. Their love and support has never wavered my entire short life. Even when mom would tell me how to correct my drawing as a child. I would get angry. Not able to see, she was aiding in my development. My dad can always be counted on for trying to give me new ideas for my paintings or great marketing tips. They are terrific. My heart is so full of love for them!

“Look at this.” “What do you think about that?” “Check out my progress.” “ I wanna paint xyz.” I realize that sometimes I may over load my family and friends with always talking art. I do try my best to keep it to a minimum. But, I know I can get honest feedback from my close circle. Frequently, I get real good ideas. Some of my best ideas have come from my good friend/cousin Pedra. She has adorned some of my early jewelry creations. I will get a call or text saying, “I saw this and you should do that.” One of her great ideas was putting my art on purses/tote bags. Which I plan on doing of this year. One of her ideas for a painting was to honor Don Cornelius. Another I have not yet done is Frankie Beverly performing at Essence. That one should get done this year. Love you much, Pedra! -Kay

Taking a Look Back at My First Solo Art Show

“A Creole Sign Painter’s Granddaughter” at Lilah’s Highland artist Karen La Beau will be hosting a reception for her latest exhibit, A Creole Sign Painter’s Granddaughter, at Lilah’s Cafe (440 Olive St) on Saturday, May 14th from 1pm-3pm. A New Orleans native, La Beau relocated to Shreveport after Hurricane Katrina but she retains her south Louisiana heritage and celebrates it through her art. The exhibit will continue through June 4; click here to read the Shreveport Times article for more information.

This was inspired by my love of shoes! It was painted on wood.

In March 2012, I was honored as a woman artist of Louisiana. The Multicultural Center in Shreveport honored several women.

My handsome husband accompanying me on one of the many art functions I "ask" him to attend! We had a ball at Artini!

“A Creole Sign Painter’s Granddaughter” at Lilah’s Highland artist Karen La Beau will be hosting a reception for her latest exhibit, A Creole Sign Painter’s Granddaughter, at Lilah’s Cafe (440 Olive St) on Saturday, May 14th from 1pm-3pm. A New Orleans native, La Beau relocated to Shreveport after Hurricane Katrina but she retains her south Louisiana heritage and celebrates it through

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I remember the day my mother told me that my sister and I were to attend the all girls’ school, St. Mary’s Academy. Even though my mom had attended, I was not jumping up and down. Just moving back from Europe and being 14, I wanted a co-ed High School. Mom always knows best! Attending St. Mary’s (SMA), was the highlight of my life. As most kids, it’s not until AFTER high school that this was realized. I have several friends from high school that I am still very close with. Little did I know that the first day I walked through that door, I would have a lifelong “sisterhood” bond formed. I wanted to honor that sisterhood with a painting. I immediately reflected upon our days at mass. We would all join hands and say the Lord’s Prayer. The joining of the hands solidified our sisterhood union. This painting is titled, “Sisterhood.” It is very near and dear to my heart. I haven’t gotten around to it, but my next SMA painting will be of our debutante ball.

NOLA Love

Lama's Seafood Market

The Lama’s Seafood Market was a hot spot in New Orleans for New Orleanians to get their seafood. The market has been closed for many years. Currently, there plans to reopen the market. The original name was the St. Roch Market. It was built in 1875. I was inspired to paint this since my grandfather use to do all their sign work. In this painting, I took my time to duplicate his style of painting. The signs in the painting are depicted as he would have done. The green car in the bottom right is a green LTD that my father drove. I have painted my dad in the car. This is one of my favorite paintings.