Art: A City Speaks

Art is found in everything from architecture to dance. New Orleans speaks through expression.

Each artist in New Orleans is unique and hones their best skills, in order to perform on the streets for a living.

Human Art, as some paint and pose for the self-expression and the tips.

Dayona Johnson, a local artist who uses cooking tools to create her one-of-a-kind-art and sells it on Jackson Square

Dayona was a true story of inspiration, as her art came through self-expression. Dayona was once known as Daniel, a marine who cooked. Daniel was unhappy and could not find himself in cooking or in his environment. Transition through reflection started Dayona's progress through transgender from male to female. Dayona was excited to tell me that she is now legally female, which is reflected by her birth certificate and identification cards. Finding her true self is what brought her to New Orleans, to pursue a unique form of art. Her paintings are all one-of-a-kind, as she creates a series of similar works, only once. Each as its own story to tell, with imperfections, colors, and themes. The series I saw showcased was called The Seven Seas. Dayona explained that she creates her art using cooking tools. It makes her art more original than those created by paint brush. She used mixing spoons and cake frosters to move the background paint into place, with as many as twelve layers. Next she used frosting designer bags, that one would use to decorate the details of a cake. This is how she created flowery borders around each piece. Her story is inspirational because she found herself and her place in life through her art. Many students were inspired by her, and I think I am only one of maybe ten who chose to write about her. 

Dayona, like many other artists and street performers, rode a bike to carry their supplies.

Pete the Cat, by James Dean

A second artist that inspired me was local artist James Dean. I purchased some prints of his work from a Gallery on Royal Street called Gallery Rinard. Advertised by a purple dog with sunglasses, hanging from metal chains in front of the doorway, the dog exclaimed "Bienvenue". The proprietery of the gallery told me that the cat, found in James Dean's works of art, was actually turned into a children's book character. He first painted the cat for enjoyment and later it became a cat with a story to tell. This inspires me, as every writer has that inkling to try a children's book. Children have the innocence and unique development that can be difficult for an adult writer to connect with. Because I am a writer and a painter, one of my personal goals is to write and illustrate a successful children's book. His cats were also alluring to the adult eye, as they were seen creating adult puns and in amusing situations. Although the author now resides in Savannah, Georgia, I was assured that he is from New Orleans and that is why he keeps a gallery on Royal for some of his works. His cartoony pieces of art spoke to my humor and love for cats. I grew up on a farmhouse with twelve cats and I know they have many "misadventures" as James calls them. I was inspired by this artist who grew his passion from his personal inspiration and tales of a cat and became a famous children's author and illustrator. I appreciate that he pays homage to his roots of New Orleans and the French Quarter, by placing some of his originals and prints for purchase here.

A link to Pete the Cat Books Website!

The city's art spoke to me through every aspect. I chose not to pick a specific artist because I felt there were many that deserved highlighting and recognition. The galleries that lined almost every street of the French Quarter were full of a variety of artworks, from gritty tellings of poverty, to the elegance of family and innocence of childhood. Realism to abstract, oil paints that were layered for a rich texture, to acrylics and watercolors that were spread to a fine point. I purchased a total of 15 pieces of local art while in the city. Some other favorites included Clay Davis, who painted the characters Pierre and Penelope, in enriching love tales of two voodoo dolls. Karim, from Nigeria, who is also drawn to the music and paints about Collective Improvisations, city street performers, and the movement of the music within each person. There were many couples in the city who where drawn to each other by their love of art, which was an endearing touch to the story the art can tell. Reggie Davis hand-painted each piece that was sold, and he sold pieces of classic musicians and "hot topics" but also of abstract pieces of a trumpeter in the sun, jiving to the music. I noticed that many artists painted both pieces that inspired them and spoke to their soul, and more touristy pieces that were easy to sell and pay the bills. Almost all the art I purchased was found hanging on Jackson Square, although I found artists in the French Market and hanging within the many art galleries as well.

The dancers and musicians were artists of their own kind. One street performer danced a modern piece to the sounds of other musicians playing in the square. I could see that he improvised based on the tale the musicians were telling. The architecture spoke its own story as well, as I now know the difference between rod iron and cast iron, and why Pontalba is also credited for the art she added to the French Quarter. Each artist spoke to me the story of their creations, the pictures held within their mind that they were brave enough to share, the expression that was enough to make a living. To sell one's art for a day's work is every artists dream. It is hard to imagine a life where one could profit upon their passions. New Orleans makes this dream a reality for those who are willing to venture here.

Modern dancer, a Jackson Square street performer!