Louisiana – Trying to Wash Us Away

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Louisiana – Trying to Wash Us Away – Louisiana Essence

Louisiana is rich in culture, spirit, and life that has been a part of me since the day I was born. Many of my paintings are inspired and influenced from my 18 years of living in that colorful state. For I have fond memories of catching and of course eating crawfish, playing in the sugar cane fields, climbing those massive oak trees with their moss dripping down, fishing the many different bayous and experiencing all the culinary delights that we would cook.

So, I share with you a few of my Louisiana inspired paintings. In memory of the horrific August 2016 flood in Louisiana, the first painting is titled “Louisiana – Trying to Wash Us Away”. This painting captures the uncontrollable waters coursing through the state in places it definitely should not have been. Perhaps, you have heard of the song that Arron Neville (also from Louisiana) sings titled “Louisiana 1927” with the verse “trying to wash us away”. A sad but good song.

Louisiana – Trying To Wash Us Away, Acrylic, 40×50, 

Louisiana Essence Such Spirit

The Louisiana people are very strong and have been through hell many times; but they always seem to come back in full glory. In fact, Louisiana’s state motto is Union, Justice and Confidence.

The swamps of Louisiana hold such mystery and beauty at the same time. Additionally, they are rich in plant and animal life. Swamps are dominated by trees. Furthermore, the most common native plants are cypress trees and Spanish moss. Native animals include alligators and brown pelicans, the Louisiana state bird. So this painting is my Louisiana swamp, titled “Mystic Swamp”.

                           Mystic Swamp

“Laissez les bons temps rouler!”

“Laissez les bons temps rouler!” is a Cajun expression meaning “Let the good times roll!” It strongly conveys the “joie de vivre” (“joy of living”) attitude that pervades south Louisiana. It is mostly associated with New Orleans. This phrase pops up throughout the Mardi Gras season.  If you didn’t take French in high school, you may struggle to say “laissez les bon temps rouler.” To our American tongues, this phrase is literally foreign. As for pronunciation, try it phonetically – lay-zEh leh bAwn taw rOO-leh or you can try Lazay Lay Bon Tom Roulay or “Lay-say le bon tom roo-lay.

No matter how you pronounce it, it is a fun expression to use. It is said that when someone shouts “Laissez les bon temps rouler” you should respond with “Oui, cher.” In English, this means “Yeah, you right.”

Creating my artwork is one of my joyous adventures and the bons temps seem to always be present with life in my studio. This last painting with its intricacies of colors, shapes and movement is an expression to roll with life’s good times that may come your way – Laissez les bons temps rouler!”  – “Let the good times roll!”.

One last item to share with you; and I haven’t yet created an abstract for it, not sure I could do it justice. The Nottoway Plantation Home in White Castle, LA where I was born is the largest antebellum mansion in the South. As a young girl, I used to go to Nottoway during the summer where Mrs. Owens, a previous owner of the plantation, would teach crocheting, needle point and knitting classes and an occasional art lesson. Nottoway is such a stunning plantation that hopefully you will get to visit; and if you do, say hello to my family.

 

 

Laissez les bons temps rouler!”  – “Let the good times roll!”

 

 

 

 

Dare to Feel,

Red

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See more of Red’s Creations in her gallery.