03 Sept 2016 (Saturday)

We went to New Orleans for the Labor Day weekend. We hadn’t planned to go anywhere, but hurricane Hermine scared people out of making travel plans near the coast and New Orleans (which was not on the path but people were freaked anyway) had super cheap hotel rooms as a result. We threw Max and the kids in the car and headed out rather on a whim. The weather over there wasn’t the best — it rained pretty hard in the late afternoons, but the mornings were quite nice.

In a turn of events that thrilled me to my bones, we ended up buying four paintings at Jackson Square. Years ago, I bought a watercolor by a guy called Michael Smiroldo that is one of my favorites, but each time we’ve been back to New Orleans since that first visit, he hasn’t been there. I figured he retired, or moved, or started selling through a gallery or something. Anyway, he was THERE this time!! He said he was only there this weekend because he was back in NO visiting his kids for the long weekend. He showed up at Jackson Square in the mornings before the rains came.

We bought two paintings from him (an acrylic on canvas and another watercolor) and one painting each from two other artists. (I feel like running into Smiroldo the one time he was there was like winning the lottery!)

Hanging out at one of the covered outdoor cafes to wait out a mini rainstorm. Beignets and lots of water.

We circled Jackson Square numerous times hunting for paintings.

Once the rain chased away all the outdoor artists, we headed into the city to explore the galleries and antiques shops.

Kids waiting with Max outside one of the galleries.

Adam purchased an etching by Knute Heldner in one of the galleries.

04 Sept 2016 (Sunday)

Sunday morning, back at Jackson Square.  We bought a painting from the grouping you can see here on the fence.  (Middle row, second from end.)

The artist, Gustavo Trujillo, showing us Pirate Alley, the location depicted in the painting.

We bought a painting from this guy, too, but I never caught his name. The weather was starting to turn ugly at this point and we didn’t feel like we had much time for chatting.

St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square.

We got caught in a downpour on our walk back to the hotel and had to stand in a shop window alcove to keep our paintings dry.  Even with umbrellas, we managed to get thoroughly soaked. But the art has made it home dry and ready for framing.

New Orleans never fails for lots of good food and great atmosphere.

Addendum:  Sept 8, back home and (mostly) framed.

The Michael Smiroldo acrylic on canvas.

Smiroldo watercolor.

Gustavo Trujillo, oil on canvas of Pirate Alley.  He said to wait 4 months before framing so the oils could properly cure.

Small acrylic on canvas (sadly, I didn’t get the artist’s name.)  St. Louis Cathedral in the background.

Additional painting of New Orleans:  We bought this one from an artist called Kamal Givian when we came through NO for just one afternoon earlier this summer (May 25) on our way to San Diego.  This painting also depicts St Louis Cathedral.