A modern look for the human form comes from artist Wayne Boudreaux

 

Photo courtesy Wayne Boudreaux

     For artist Wayne Boudreaux, expression takes the form of acrylic on canvas as he creates human form pictures to delight the public. Any size canvas can find a place on his easel as he shares with the public the images of things seen over a lifetime.

     He hasn’t always worked full time as an artist. Three years ago, he began applying the skills he learned in younger years at University of New Orleans in earnest. With his retirement came a desire to stay occupied, and he turned back to art to help him “stay busy,” as he puts it.

     Boudreaux spent his youth in New Orleans, living in many neighborhoods over the years but he now calls Slidell home. The 68-year-old’s work focuses primarily on the female form, doing them in “a modern style, mildly geometric…and natural shapes.”

     “I try to present the human form in a positive way, in a modern shape,” he says, as he shares his philosophy of art. 

     His work hangs in the St. Tammany Art Association gallery in Covington as well as Artists’ Galleries de Juneau in Slidell's Olde Towne, where he is the September 2016 Artist of the Month. Tent shows also play a role in his art business. He has entered several competitions including some in Slidell and has won at the prestigious Art in the Pass competition in Pass Christian, MS. 

     “This year, I was accepted in the Covington Three River Art Festival,” he declares.

Boudreaux creates his paintings on spec, declining to get involved in commission work which he perceives as being “too much like a job.” He wants to keep his unstructured approach, painting images which move him. This approach allows him to create paintings which generally sell around $350.00, although he has painted pictures which sold as high as $1200.00.

     “I’m enjoying it. It’s doing what I want it to do,” he says about his art. “It gives me something challenging, something that I like doing…It’s been very interesting.”

Artists' Galleries de Juneau

2143 First Street

Slidell, LA 

985-326-8286

Artist Alvin Christopher shares his passion through his art

     Alvin Christopher takes a passion for social justice and channels it into dynamic mixed media art which reminds viewers of how fragile life can be and the importance of treasuring each moment. His dapper appearance belies the struggles of his life.

     “…since I was a child…since I can remember picking up a pencil,” he answers, when asked how long he’s been creating images. He considers his ease with art to be a gift from his mother, who encouraged his earliest attempts. He hasn’t stopped since then, honing his skills and experimenting with a variety of forms.

     A first look at Christopher’s work demands a second one. The compelling images seem to deliver news headlines, as he offers thought-provoking depictions of natural and human-made issues. From his horizontal 3-dimensional depiction of the damage wrought on the Interstate 10 twin span by Hurricane Katrina, to the biology lesson of the words we keep in our heart, Christopher pulls no punches in expressing the pain he has personally experienced and his anger at the pain endured by others.

     His love of mixed media leads him to take things which are not typically considered artistic and turn them into imaginative displays of highly artistic content, recycling found items into finished products with the addition of more traditional art media. While no photograph can do justice to his work, the powerful images beg for repetitive, reflective study. Within each piece, a heartbeat of truth grabs the viewer and demands consideration. With bold colors and startling images, Christopher brings people of all races and perspectives to a common table of humanity.

     Ask a viewer to interpret a given piece and the answer may be shockingly different from your own. Each of the images opens doors to dialogues and discussions of freedom, rights and circumstances. Christopher lays his own heart bare in his work and invites viewers to do the same as they relate to each piece. He refuses to be pigeonholed on a single subject, preferring to use his art to walk on dangerous ground with bold ideas designed to make viewers uncomfortable in complacency.

     Christopher is more than an artist creating strong images. He is also a mentor, reaching out to people marginalized by society and encouraging them to identify their own artistic voice. He also works on commission for custom pieces.

     He was born in Mississippi, grew up in New Orleans in the Irish Channel neighborhood and now makes his home in Slidell, LA. Art moved from a hobby to a vocation after the turmoil of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He hopes to eventually branch out into multimedia work, including film. Supplementing his art income as a cook, he brings an artistic touch to his dishes, as well.

     At present, Alvin Christopher’s work is on display at Artists’ Galleries de Juneau at 2143 First St. in the Olde Towne section of Slidell; Connie’s Depot off of Brownswitch, also in Slidell; and a few other small shops in the community. His art deserves a home in private collections and corporate spaces. This isn’t “pretty” art to hang on a wall and ignore; this is art at its most powerful, demanding involvement and action.

Bohemian Spirit Designs jewelry from Terrina Russell-Cook captivates

Photo courtesy Terrina Russell-Cook

Artist Terrina Russell-Cook creates music and jewelry with equal ease. Her Bohemian Spirit Designs bring delight to jewelry lovers with her use of curves and movement, while her music belts out the blues with feelings from the soul.

Russell-Cook has been making jewelry since 1974, when she created puka shell necklaces and earrings to sell to tourists along Daytona Beach. Her love for “all things sparkly” began even earlier, as her late grandmother allowed the young Terrina free access to play in her jewelry box.

“I still get just as much of a thrill putting sparkly things together now as I did then,” she says with a laugh.

Many of her pieces hearken to her native American heritage. Her great-grandfather was a member of the Blackfoot tribe. Turquoise stones and traditional motifs honor his memory.

Other pieces feature swirling copper or silver, eliciting images of nature on the move. The evocative shapes have become something of a signature form for her. “For some reason I’m drawn to water and movement, so I try to incorporate as much of that in my work as possible,” Russell-Cook observes.

Although she has a great deal of experience with making jewelry, she continues to learn other techniques. Most recently, she took a course in metalworking from fellow artist Patricia Hart. Now she is expanding her skill set with repoussé, an ancient metalworking technique which involves pressing a relief design into softened metal from the reverse side.

Two outlets in New York and two in the south keep her busy with jewelry-making, but she still finds time to stand up for the creative community. She explains that what artists create has value as an original and takes hours of work. The end result may share some visual similarities with mass-produced products in Big Box stores but the quality of the handmade items soars far above the mundane.

Any conversation with Russell-Cook includes a great deal of humor and laughter. Her delight in life and her joy in her work shines through even serious discussions of technique or style. She admits to sometimes falling in love with a piece she has created and feeling a reluctance in parting with it.

Look for Terrina Russell-Cook’s work at Artists’ Galleries de Juneau in Olde Towne Slidell, LA. Her Bohemian Spirit Designs will inspire.

Originally appeared 6/8/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/bohemian-spirit-designs-jewelry-from-terrina-russell-cook-captivates

Support your local comic book shop during Free Comic Book Day 2016

The annual Free Comic Book Day, a program created to celebrate comic books and readers of comic books, is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2016. The comic book industry offers a select group of comics to independent comic book stores at low cost so the stores can give them away for free or as a charitable fundraiser. The organization behind the event states millions of books have been given away around the world since the event began in 2002.

Besides the free comic book distribution, many stores feature in-store guests—local cartoonists who are willing to come in and meet the fans (and make future fans) of their work, gamers or cosplayers. The interaction permits a greater experience than simply purchasing comic books. Better than a big box store or convenience shop, the indie comic book store connects buyers and artists as well as others in the creative community. Other events may include games or prizes for attendees or raffles. Special activities vary by store.

The regularly issued monthly version of a comic book was first released in 1922, although individual bound books had been released as early as 1837. The modern comic book grew out of these early volumes. The industry has grown to sales in the millions of dollars, according to Comichron with 2016 sales of comics and graphic novels through the end of March estimated at more than $129 million.

Find a participating comic book store through the Free Comic Book Day locator or call your local comic book store to determine if they will participate. One of the options for Gulf Coast comic lovers is Three Alarm Comics at 15210 Lemoyne Blvd., Biloxi, MS. The store will feature comic artists such as Andy Childress of BubbaWorldComix and Kevin Hayman of Everywhen Comics, Whovians of the Gulf Coast and many additional guests.

Roscoe (left) and Andy Childress at Three Alarm Comics

Originally appeared 05/05/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/support-your-local-comic-book-shop-during-free-comic-book-day-2016