Gator Girl Art – Page 7 – Gator Girl Art

NOT FOR SALE

Posted on July 14, 2016July 14, 2016 by gatorgirlart

Hi all y’all,

I have declared that I would never visit another plantation.

The plantations I have been to in the past are so sad and have a kind of heavy, clingy feeling to them.

I had to eat my words. I had a fabulous trip to the Whitney Plantation last week. When you come to New Orleans I recommend this tour. It is an honest portrayal of slavery on this plantation. I think it is the truth that makes the air feel breathable there.

This is what happened. This is what it was like for the people in slavery. Somehow, unexplainably, the Whitney Plantation shows the history on the plantation in a way that is bearable and beautiful. The spirits of the people are there and also their names and their personal histories.

Our tour guide grew up 10 miles from the plantation. Because of her last name, it is very likely that her relatives were slaves there. She was entertaining, well spoken, and I could feel how important this history was to her.

mother and child statue

One of many statues of the different children enslaved on Whitney Plantation

I put my Storyville series on hold for a week or so. I decided to paint a young woman who was a slave in Louisiana. I don’t have any information other than her photo. I wish I knew her name. While I was painting her in blacks, browns, buff and white, looking like the early 1900’s, I was smashed with the feeling of present day slavery. Like a ton of bricks.

I started asking everyone who came around too many questions. I couldn’t calm my brain. Did I just want to paint a girl in slavery from the 1900’s because I knew she was free now?

I stayed up late painting. Very late for me, past midnight. I added colors. I thought I added colors in her hair to show depth. I added colors to her dress because I knew I was going to cover her dress with material. The original plan was to glue sack cloth on her dress outline.

The next morning, I saw a slave from the last century in colors. So it is both. Old and continuing slavery.

We can’t deny it.

We shouldn’t deny it if we want the air breathable.

NOT FOR SALE is the name of the painting. The painting is for sale. :) — NOT FOR SALE is the name of the painting. The painting is for sale.

Very truly yours,

Gator Girl

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Lulu White, Storyville Madame

Posted on June 30, 2016 by gatorgirlart

Hi all y’all!

I had an idea to paint mug shots of Storyville prostitutes. I painted Lulu White and enjoyed painting her. She was arrested many times for all manner of things to do with her brothel. She was the madame of Mahogany Hall.

Let me backtrack with the assumption you might not be up on New Orleans history. I am not patient with a lot of details, but I will give it a try.

Storyville was a part of New Orleans, lakeside of Basin Street, between 1897 and 1917 where it was legal to be a prostitute and run a brothel. Prostitution was so legal they had a Blue Book advertising what the different girls offered. Mahogany Hall was an upscale brothel, boasting of Octoroon (1/8th black) prostitutes.

Mahogany Hall is the first building on the right. — Mahogany Hall was the first building on the right.

Lulu seemed like a outgoing, self-made, woman. She was born of two slaves in Alabama, but re-invented herself. She told people she was born in the Caribbean.

Even though I love portraits and I love to paint women, mugshots are a little bit sad. A child born into slavery is also sad. I am going to paint a prostitute or two from Storyville, because the women are beautiful, but I don’t think my heart can manage more than that. On the other hand, I don’t want these women to be forgotten.

This is Lulu White in 1920. It is a mugshot from one of her many arrests. I painted her with acrylic paint and charcoal pencil on 11 x 14 inch canvas. Her shawl was made with Liquitex Gloss Gel and a stencil. I put the gel on with a pallet knife through the holes in the stencil, lifting off the stencil carefully. Then, I let it dry over night. I painted the shawl with blue, orange and gold. (You can always message me for specific colors or more information in general.)

Lulu’s necklace is made to resemble clear glass beads, popular in the 1920’s.

I think she looks sad and annoyed.

Mahogany Hall Stomp for you, Miss Lulu.

Until next time,

Adoringly,

Gator Girl

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Queen of Bounce

Posted on May 5, 2016 by gatorgirlart

Hi all y’all!

We just had Jazz Fest in New Orleans. It is a pretty amazing experience with incredible music, delicious food and quality art. Most people talk about Music or Music and Food. I am there #1 for the art. I go one day each weekend, when it isn’t as crowded (not Saturday or Sunday) to see the art. The food vendors are there both weekends, but the artists change. When I need to rest, I stop in and listen to some music. I am pretty sure I am in the minority on this.

Jazz Fest the second weekend was pretty wet.

I am just about finished with the Queen of Bounce aka Big Freedia (pronounced Free-da) I ordered 2 jewels for her crown, amethyst and amber. I am nervous painting a living artist because I really want Big Freedia to relate to and like my painting. I will probably never know.

I choose Big Freedia because I was part of the Guinness Book of World Records for Twerking in 2014.

I woke up one morning and told my family that I had a dream that I needed to help Big Freedia win the twerking world record. My daughter said, I could still participate because it hadn’t happened yet. It was scheduled for later that day or the next day. Surprising everyone, including myself, I went. I am not sure if they counted my sweet darlin’ and me in the final number because you had to be continuously twerking correctly. Fortunately there is no video of that.

Big Freedia was the star of that contest. She is beautiful and her personality is bigger than the sky.

To read Freedia’s background in a snapshot… I found a lot of information on Wikipedia.

Right now, I am painting two paintings of Prince. He had so many looks in all the years he performed, I didn’t want to narrow it down to one. Prince is a commission painting. The same people who bought Shotgun Angel asked me to paint Prince. I am going to show them both of the paintings and they can choose one if they like it. I don’t take money for commissions until after they see the finished painting. Maybe they had a different idea. I don’t want them stuck with something they don’t love.

I’m back to the easel. See ya later alligator,

With a heart full of love,

Gator Girl

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Meet Gator Girl

Posted on April 14, 2016 by gatorgirlart

Hi all y’all!

You probably know me, unless you just started following my blog. Either way, I put together a video of my porch, studio and me. I am using the video in my Etsy Shop. I love feeling like I have a “Shop” and not just a house. I am sometimes in a gallery with Where Y’Art and lately my paintings are hanging out (get it?) at Baldwin, Haspel, Burke & Mayer, a law firm in the Central Business District. Those paintings in the law offices have a better view than I do. By far. They are on the 36th floor and have a view of the bend in the river and the bridge to the west bank.

Many of my paintings are at my house. You are welcome to come by.

Spring has sprung in New Orleans. Jazz Fest is around the corner.

Feeling the love,

Gator Girl

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Living in New Orleans

Posted on April 7, 2016April 7, 2016 by gatorgirlart

Hi all y’all!

Often, I wonder why everyone doesn’t live in New Orleans. New Orleans is the only place I have lived where I have to choose between (often free) things to do. If you live here, you have to turn down parties, festivals, second lines… because you can’t be in two or three places at once.

I am not ordinarily a party girl, sometimes I choose to stay home all weekend and paint. Those times, it is nice that my sweet darlin’ has something to do.

Last weekend several tribes of Mardi Gras Indians were putting on their suits at Bayou St. John in preparation for parading. I am not a big fan of crowds, but I am a big fan of the Mardi Gras Indians. What? No crowds! Mardi Gras Indians are the coolest thing in the city. I thought there wold be huge crowds.

I made a video of the photos David and I took to show y’all.

Until later, alligator!

Gator Girl

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If your rabbit doesn’t smoke…

Posted on March 11, 2016 by gatorgirlart

Hi all y’all!

Spring is upon us and I am here with a public service announcement.

If your rabbit doesn’t smoke, it will have a life expectancy of 9 years (or more). If you are thinking about buying a cute little bunny for Easter, there are some things you need to consider.

They are complex psychologically.

A rabbit is prey. You need to be careful where you pet him or her. If you grab him from his back legs, it will frighten the rabbit. This is not a good first pet for a small child.

They live an average of 9 years. They live longer if they 1. Don’t smoke 2. live indoors 3. see their vet annually and when ill.

So far this is sounding like a commitment you would make to a dog or cat. Pretty big decision.

They like company. 2 rabbits are happier than one.

They like to chew. You will need to put the electrical cords out of reach and baby-proof the receptacles.

If-your-rabbit-doesn't-smoke

This is my rabbit, who does smoke. Unfortunately, his life expectancy is 7.8 years. I have tried to reason with him, but like I said… complex.

He is a fan of Van Gogh and decorated his house to immolate the famous painting. Hanging in the frame is a pair of rabbits in love. They do like a partner.

He is suspicious. I think this might have something to do with his possible exploitation at Easter, as well as his unfortunate position in the food chain.

If you still want to have a rabbit live with you, look at a shelter or rescue. Spay or neuter.

many_rabbits

A rabbit can have babies starting at 6 months old. She can become pregnant within minutes of giving birth. She can have a litter every 28-30 days. Breeding statistics by Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

Wow. Food for thought.

Gator Girl watching out for you and your Easter shopping decisions.

❤

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Gator Girl is Famous!

Posted on February 18, 2016 by gatorgirlart

Hi all y’all!

Not exactly my 15 minutes of fame, but a welcome surprise. My niece, Maggie, from California texted me to say she saw Accepting New Members in Apartment Therapy. You will probably love Apartment Therapy if you don’t already.

Someone from New Orleans bought the original Accepting New Members a couple of weeks ago. They saw it at Where Y’ Art.

Cat and Collin Co-Founders of Where Y'Art — Cat and Collin, Co-Founders of Where Y’Art

Watch a video about what these two women are doing! If you are an artist and/or a collector, you will want to check this out.

Thanks for listening. 🙂

With a loving, full heart,

Gator Girl

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Rollergirls

Posted on February 4, 2016February 4, 2016 by gatorgirlart

Hi all y’all!

Happy Mardi Gras! I would normally be working on a Mardi Gras painting because I am moved by the seasons… Mardi Gras, Crawfish, Snoballs and Football.

I wanted to finished Rollergirls for any roller derby fans.

I love roller derby. I wish I was brave and tough enough to skate like that. This painting is loosely modeled after the Big Easy Rollergirls. The floor in the painting is more like a gym floor, but their colors are black and gold. The crowd is very close to the players and the fans from both sides are dispersed throughout. I took some artist’s prerogative. The gator is the jammer. That is why she has a star on her helmet. The other team is trying to block our star player. It is just becoming apparent to the crowd that Ms Gator has a winning move.

Every time I came back to this painting, I wanted to change someone’s expression or skin color. The 15 spectators took more time to paint than the rollergirls. I am not really this patient unless I want to complete a vision.

Can you find Brad and Dellwen from Brad and Dellwen’s Flag Party on Magazine Street in the painting? (The photo is from NOLA.com) It is a mystery to me why I choose people to paint. Many of the spectators just have the attitude of people I know, they don’t represent them physically.

20160201_171255

I am going to the airport to pick up my friend from California for her first Mardi Gras! Muses rolls tonight! Muses is my favorite parade. I love that it is a women’s krewe. They have great throws and are generous. The Pussyfooters are dancing tonight, but I am going to be a spectator cheering my pink sisters on. I hope to see you on the Avenue.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Gator Girl

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Inktense

Posted on January 8, 2016January 8, 2016 by gatorgirlart

Hi all y’all!

I hope you had a nice holiday. I know the experience differs between people and year to year. This year was a good year for our family.

In New Orleans, we are rushing into an early Mardi Gras. The Pussyfooter Blush Ball is a week from today and the parades start in January. I am at a loss to explain what Mardi Gras means to New Orleanians. I think it is something like God, family, Mardi Gras.

It was probably October when I started my Rollergirls painting. Faces are one of my favorite topics, so I thought I would paint a crowd behind the skaters. I hit a wall when I felt like it was never-ending. There are 15 people in the crowd, besides the main characters. I don’t know how people paint so small.

So I stopped.

I painted The Kiss. My favorite painting.

Then, I was struck by the sadness of the Holidays for the people who are alone, or broke, or sick. So I painted a holiday painting. I wanted the painting to be generically holiday and express mixed emotions. You will see it again next year on an e-card.

Here it is January, and I am back to Rollergirls.

I put different shades of skin-colors on my palate, aka paper plate, and worked all day on all the faces. I had to keep moving between faces so the paint on the canvas would dry, but my palate would not. Here I was, spritzing my palate with water and going face to face. And face to face.

I started using my charcoal pencils. I have white and black. I thought it would be great to have pencils that worked like charcoal with a fine point, but with lots of colors. I wanted to work on one face until I was happy with it. I started searching on-line.

Ta Da! I already owned the solution. Derwent Intense Pencils.

These pencils were suggested to me at one time, but I had never used them.

The pencils when dry are like bright, slightly creamy colored pencils. When you brush with water they work like ink and are permanent. When dry you can erase the pencil. I layered the colors before I added water and they mix themselves. I added white to lighten, or lifted the color off with a clean, wet brush.

With these pencils I can finish one face or at least work on one face until I want to move on. I am not tied to a palate of drying paint.

I am about half done with Rollergirls. I am not a fan of sharing unfinished work, but here it is.

I hope 2016 is a happy and healthy year for all y’all.

Thank you for reading my blog!

All my love,

Gator Girl

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It was Greek, Jewish, and Gay

Posted on September 30, 2015November 6, 2015 by gatorgirlart

Hi all y’all,

The name if this painting is “And Justice for All”. Thank you to the Federal ruling, it has come true. I usually call this painting by the name “Justice”, but now the full title is fitting.

There is a story here. A beautiful love story.

I met the woman on the right, in 2010. She posted (on Facebook) a prompt called “22 Questions for the New Year”, by Shiloh McCloud. My husband saw it on a virtual friend’s timeline and remarked, “That is my wife’s painting mentor.” The woman on the right, Rene (pronounced like Irene), Googled Shiloh, joined her class and ultimately messaged me. Tada! We were Internet friends for 5 years.

January 2013, I started this painting.

The thing is… I had not met Rene in person. Rene had not met Amy at all. This photo is from last weekend, September 27, 2015.

I flew up to Minneapolis to attend their Jewish Wedding Celebration.

Seriously, I can’t even believe these two photos.

Rene helped me try to find two women who looked like this painting (for years). I really felt the whole time I was painting that these women were real and existed somewhere. She asked around among her friends in the bay area. I asked at a marriage equality fund-raiser. The deal was, I would exchange a print for a photo. “Do you look like these women?”.

Roughly, a year later, Rene meets Amy at choir.

May of 2015 they are married. The first time that I saw Rene in person, she was walking down the aisle to get married.