Inner Journey-ART

I like this artist so much because I feel like he was down to earth and open.  Not only was his shop very inviting, but he was very inviting.  He wanted to make sure that you enjoyed the presence of his shop.  He asked if we could smell the lavender diffusing.  He asked if we could feel the comfort of the rug.  He wanted to make sure that we discovered all he had to offer.  He explained that all his inspiration came from New Orleans.  He believes this so much that he thinks if he would have grown up anywhere else he would not be the successful artist that he is today.  His family is also an inspiration to him.  He has used his wife’s face and his daughter’s eyes to come up with the piece of art for his business card.  He has the front door of his own home decorated with his art. 

I think this artist is an example of how New Orleans can be an inspiration to people.  He was forced to move to another state during the evacuation of Hurricane Katrina.  He loved his home town so much that he moved back to it.  After all, that is where all his inspiration comes from!

Terrance’s work is vibrant and pops off the canvas.  It can’t help but catch your eye.  His art depicts the city of New Orleans in a fun vibrant way.  Then again, the city itself is fun and vibrant.  He uses the everyday life of New Orleans to inspire him.  The music, the homes, Mardi Gras, the people are all included in his art. 

I think it was nice to be able to talk to the artist.  He was able to tell us about his work and how he was inspired to create it.  Most of the artist in the shops were not the actual artist but people selling for the artist.  It was nice to hear him speak from his heart. 

He has worked hard to get to the artist he is today.  He went through years of school and earned a Fine Arts degree.  He later then taught Fine Arts in the public school until Hurricane Katrina hit.  It was during that move that he began to paint full time.  I believe that it was a sense of healing for him.  He was helping bring back New Orleans one piece of art at a time.  He has received awards for being able to depict the city in a way that the locals can relate to.  I am not a local and could relate to it from the little bit of the city that I had seen.  I could see how he depicted New Orleans throughout his work.  His pieces were warm and inviting.  Some pieces you could not help but stand and stare at and try to figure it out.  This artists work was the first that I thought was fun and took the time to look at on my own.  I did not feel forced to look at it and find out his story.  It all just happened unexpectedly.  

Terrance business cards featuring Lady Mardi Gras

Outer Jorney-ART

As you walk the streets of Royal Street the shops are flooded with several types of art work.  Most are vibrant colors that pop off the canvas.  You cannot help but go in and see what your eyes wander over.  As we walk in and out of stores there is so much that captures your eyes it can be overwhelming.  There was nothing that absolutely moved me.  Except maybe the prices of some of the pieces, HAHA!  Don’t get me wrong they were good, fun, cute, and exquisite, but I wanted something breathtaking.  I wanted something or someone I could relate to.  There were a couple I thought I could blog about if I could not find anyone or anything else. 

Art can come in so many forms and let me tell you, you will find them all in New Orleans.  People transformed a variety of things into pieces of art.  There was make-up that sparkled like I had never seen.  Distinctive styles of jewelry, carved wood, photography, pieces that were turned into lamps, and all forms of music.  If these people could imagine it, they could bring it to life.  You did not have to go into shops to see the various forms of art.  Every morning Jackson Square was filled with various types of art.    

Jackson Square with various artists

It took me until Saturday on our free day to find the man’s art that captured me.  We were walking along Magazine street and I investigated the open door and smelt a pleasant aroma.  As I peered in the open door the shop was inviting me in.  The vibrant red carpet on the ground was so soft and warm under my feet.  I wanted to lay down on it, it was that comfortable.  Every wall of the store was covered in vibrant artwork of varied sizes.  He had lavender diffusing throughout the small store.  The scent gave the store a relaxed, inviting, cozy, and warm feeling.  All the prints were encased in the same type of frame giving the art a clean, crisp feel.  There was a little nook in the corner where you could sit and take in the art.  The atmosphere felt like a sense of home. 

Terrance Osborne was the man running the store and he was the artist.  He grew up in New Orleans which was where he got all his inspiration.  He believes that if he would have grown up somewhere else he would not be the artist he is today.  He had to evacuate to Georgia during hurricane Katrina, but has since moved back to pursue his now thriving art career.

One of the bigger pieces of art was a house he had carved out of wood and painted vibrant colors.  There was an interactive window that could be raised and a painted view of inside the house could be seen.  Out of all the art I had not seen an interactive piece.  I thought it was so interesting.  Even his business cards are a work of art.  He got his inspiration from his family. He used his wife’s face and his daughter’s eyes.  He is currently working on color sheets for adults.  I would love to have had one of his pieces.

Cozy little nook

Terrance and I

The art piece I loved.  The window raises

The comfy red rug

Inner Journey-MUSIC

I don’t think that the city has spoke to me through music.  Maybe it has and I just don’t know it.  I love music, but it is not something that I have to have.  I think that it can help tie emotions together.  There is music that makes us happy and music that makes us sad.  I guess for me it was interesting to watch the people that were out on the streets performing.  They were pouring their hearts and souls into what they were playing.  They were trying to make money doing what they loved.  They were showcasing their hearts and drawing others together.  So to me it was more about the people of New Orleans.  It is captivating how music brings people together.  They feel good about what they are playing and help others feel good when they stop and listen.  For some of them music is all they have.  It gets them through one day at a time.  The crowds of people that would stop and watch the performance was phenomenal.  People would dance along to the beat, take pictures, or record the musicians.  For these people music transformed the soul.

When we stopped to listen to some of the upbeat people playing in the street you cannot help but want to move to the beat.  Often, we found ourselves dancing in the street to the music or being goofy.  Other times we were mesmerized by the performance.  The music pulled everyone together.  Nothing else mattered.  No one looked at how you looked, how old you were, or where you were from.  It creates a silent connection that is within us all. 

Now that I am reflecting I guess the city has spoken to me through music!  Funny how when I initially thought about it I did not think it was possible for the city to speak to me through the music.  The music captivated the people and they both captivated me.  I have never been to a place like New Orleans where music is so prominent.  There was not a street that I walked down that you could not hear some type of music. 

There are famous people that got their start in New Orleans.  For example, Harry Connick Jr.  Being able to make a connection with someone I was familiar with fascinating.  It makes it all seem more real.  For those people music was life and now is life.  Most of the people of New Orleans breathe and live music.  I am sure there will be several more people that will get their start from the streets and clubs of New Orleans. 

If you are in love with music and music history I highly recommend going and checking out the streets of New Orleans.  It will give you another perspective of music and people.  If you do not like music go and check it out.  By the time you leave I guarantee that some form of music will have captivated you by the time that you leave.