Ready to march...

The brass bands that lead second line parades, play at French Quarter Fest,  Jazz Fest, lots of clubs and all sorts of Mardi Gras fun. They make wonderful vignettes to paint of New Orleans life and are one of my recurring subjects. I loved painting them when I lived there and I still do, particularly when I'm missing New Orleans. It's like that Louis Armstrong song - "Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?" The area I lived in had a lot of musicians and artists. Music floated out of many buildings as you walked around from jazz to brass bands to a concert piano player running through a classical piece. Kids would walk home from school blowing quick blasts of sound from their horn of choice. It adds a charm to an old neighbourhood and is not found in silent modern cities.
Now I paint them from memory. They are wonderful musicians and great fun to know.

Must be Mardi Gras time

I miss New Orleans a lot and at this time of year, Mardi Gras time, brings back lots of good memories ... hence the new musical series based on the magical brass bands of NOLA! I always loved painting the musicians or especially the tuba players. I haven't painted them for a long time. An old time member of a brass band once told me, if the band ever got in trouble the tuba player was always the one caught. I asked why and he laughed. "Because he always got caught trying to get through the door," he replied. Always think of that when I paint and it still brings a smile to my face. This one is on a 12x24 wood panel.

Opened an ETSY shop....

I've opened a shop on the website ETSY - smaller pieces, easy to ship. Please go and check it out, bookmark it and return often and perhaps buy a piece! I'll add more pieces (one piece I added yesterday, I had to take off because I sold it this morning in the gallery!! YEAH!


http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnneJenkinsArt