Night Out in New Orleans: Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Looking for something to do Thursday night to get the weekend started early? How about a night out in New Orleans @ The Ogden Museum of Southern Art.  The Rebirth Brass Band and Cheeky Blakk will be performing in the Patrick F. Taylor Library from 6-8 pm for Ogden After Hours, the Museum's weekly concert series. 

Come early to the Museum, open 10am - 5pm, and marvel at the gorgeous work by Walter Anderson currently on exhibit.  In light of the current oil spill, the only images of birds I've seen have been sad ones.  How inspiring to see Anderson's images and gain a small boost of hope during this disaster.  Rounding the gallery corner, I spotted Anderson's Pelicans and was moved by the majesty and beauty of this once again endangered species.  I am in awe of Anderson's deep love for the flora and fauna of the Gulf Coast.  Anderson’s obsession to "realize" his subjects through his art and to be one with the natural world instead of an intruder, created works that are intense and evocative.

GIVEAWAY: 

The Art of the South 1890-2003, Ogden Museum Catalog 

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below letting me know which Anderson image is you favorite and why!  For extra entries, become a follower or subscribe to Le jeune décorateur et sa Nouvelle Orléans (http://herneworleans.blogspot.com/)  The giveaway will close Friday evening, and the winner will be contacted by email. (so be sure to leave yours!)


Images: Pelicans, Herons Over Pines, & Blue Crab by Walter Anderson

Le jeune décorateur et sa Nouvelle Orléans

Welcome to Le jeune décorateur et sa Nouvelle Orléans or translated The young decorator and her New Orleans.

I start this blog in the dirty mire of the worst environmental disaster in US history: the Gulf Oil Spill. Constantly aware of the things I love the most: pelicans, marsh, cypress trees, dolphins, beaches, fish and sea turtles across America's wetlands and our entire, priceless Gulf Coast covered in toxic oil.

This live oak tree in the Louisiana marsh exemplifies the challenge we now face: "This is a struggle for the preservation of our culture, way of life and the land we love." Against all odds this ancient, 300 plus year old mighty oak withstood inundation above its top branches during Katrina and survived unlike all the other oaks of its Chenier.* Still recovering from Katrina and Rita, Louisiana's marshes and wildlife are once again fighting for their lives - this time against more than 100 million barrels of oil. James Carville  sums things up very well in his article "In Louisiana, it's one dammed thing after another."

Desperately wanting to raise money to help families affected by the oil spill I decided to start this blog and donate all proceeds to oil spill relief. Le jeune décorateur et sa Nouvelle Orléans will traverse interior design, art, and architecture with occasional tangents regarding coffee, specifically my love of espresso. 

*Cheniers are coastal ridges, exclusive to western Louisiana's Calcasieu Estuary Environment.They typically have a higher relief than outlying barrier islands. As a result, these ridges are historically known for supporting maritime forests dominated by live oaks (chenier is French for oak).

Photograph: Louisiana Oak by Joubert Photography