About the Artist
Welcome to Painting the New Orleans Life!
I paint New Orleans because it's my place. I was born here and was lucky enough to grow up in this incredible town. When I'm painting New Orleans, I'm loving it with every brush stroke! My style is impressionistic, whether working in oil, acrylic, or pastel, and I try to leave a bit of my heart and soul in each painting as I strive to share my love of my place with you. Painting our streets, food, swamps, and bayous in and around New Orleans, I attempt to capture the light, rhythm and romance that are the essence of our very special area, southern Louisiana. I don’t simply paint what I see; I paint what I feel.
I received my art education at McCrady School of Fine Art in the French Quarter. I have been an artist for over 40 years and my paintings are in collections throughout the United States and abroad. I paint with an emphasis on the vibrancy, color, and light of southern Louisiana. My hope is that as you look at the painting through the years, you still "feel" the scene before you!
I am a member of the Degas Pastel Society, St. Tammany Art Association, and the Lacombe Art Guild. Although I have lived in many places in the U.S. and abroad, there is no place I would rather be than here, in south Louisiana, painting my wonderful hometown!
SBLIX - Superbowl 2025 - New Orleans Caesars Superdome
I was honored to be asked by the NFL's hospitality partner to create a painting for the Playmakers' Club Elite Pre-Game Party in the Caesar's Super Dome in New Orleans. Being at the Dome on game day, with three of my paintings recreated into a 12' x 72' mural, was the highlight of my 2025!
Galleries:
A selection of my work can be seen at LeJardin and Adorn Galleries at 610 Royal Street, in the French Quarter. There are a number of original paintings, canvas giclées and matted lustre prints available. Le Jardin is nestled in an 1820 carriageway on Royal Street, right across from Court of Two Sisters. Adorn is the adjacent gallery and both shops are filled with wonderful items from local artists. The galleries are open 7 days a week and can be reached at 504-680-0133 for additional information.
Louisiana Marketshops at the 115 is a fun shop between Baton Rouge and Lafayette, off Exit 115 of Interstate I-10, right along the Atchafalaya. Check them out on Facebook -or call 337-501-6022
Copper Rooster Antiques Gifts is a quaint shop on the North Shore in Covington (222 Lee Lane – 985-892-5171) where a selection of my signed and matted prints are shown. You’ll love taking a walk down Lee Lane with all of its cottages and small, unique businesses. There is so much to see and all the folks are super nice – you’ll have a great time.
My "art story" - I haven’t always considered myself an artist. As a child, my middle sister was known in our family as the one “having artistic ability”. I was so envious of my sister but never, ever tried to reach her ability of artistic accomplishment. Life takes us through so many twists and turns and my choice of which road I would travel is no different. In 1972, I had a husband at Tulane, a 2-year old daughter, and a full-time job. Life was fairly exhausting. I stopped this mad circle for one moment, as we sometimes do, and said: “What about me?” I really, really needed to think about something – just any little thing – for me. What I wanted most of all, more than anything – well, actually, there were two things – I wanted to learn to play tennis and to go to art school. I could pick one. It was summer in New Orleans, hot as blazes. Even though neither option promised cool air, the thought of running around after that little yellow ball on the hot-enough-to-fry-bacon tennis court was enough to sway me. Art school! I was going to go paint! So, that’s the way my life turned: They didn’t ask me if I could paint well; they didn’t ask if I ‘had a portfolio’; they didn’t test me. They accepted me into McCrady’s Art School in the French Quarter. And they taught me to draw, to understand colors and values, to fully see and, most of all, to paint! And I'm grateful.
Painting – with the abundance of colorful life here in New Orleans – the streets, the food, the swamps and bayous, our wildlife – well, it just can’t get any better! McCrady’s taught me well, in a classical sense, and I am one lucky lady to be able to live my days fulfilling my dream. As I paint our abundance here, I’m living inside the scene, re-living the moment and, as you view my paintings, my wish is that you also share in the joy that is unique to New Orleans and South Louisiana.
Some time ago, during the oil boom of the 70s and 80s, I was fortunate to be able to live in the spectacular country of Norway, right on the North Sea, for nine years. Not only was I able to travel to places such as London, Munich, Copenhagen and Paris, I was invited into a Norwegian art group. I spent wonderful years in this culture and it changed me in many ways – and, as special as it was, it deepened my longing and love for my city, New Orleans. I came home with renewed joy of walking its streets and taking in its sights. A few years ago, I was in a personal fight with breast cancer. It changed me once again. It opened my eyes. I survived. Life takes some amazing turns and through it all we grow and, if we're lucky, we deepen our passion for those things and loved ones we hold most dear. I am truly blessed and continue to paint, spending my days with my family, my paints, and easel. My life is rich and full, supported in every way by my wonderful husband, Jay, my children, Rebecca, Katharine, and Carl, and grandchildren of which I am immensely proud, and a loving family.
Thank you for listening to my story and viewing my work. I appreciate it. If you have any questions, please contact me as I’m here to help.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
“Every time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine, I look right into the heart of good old New Orleans. It has given me something to live for.” — Louis Armstrong
