New Orleans, Music and June

The calendar pages just keep turning faster than I can catch my breath.

(Warning - long post with lots of photos!!)

 I'm still filling orders from before summer started and trying to keep up with art for the galleries. The month started off teaching and art class to a great group of young artists. We studied Van Gogh.

Then one night my hubby wisked me away to Boston! (Not the city - the BAND!)

 I still can't believe we got to hear them in person. This was in Jackson, Mississippi.

The next week, we sent my daughter to camp. Hubby and I packed the dog and our two bicycles and went to New Orleans for a week. We stayed in an adorable shotgun house on Dauphine in the Marigny District that we found on www.vrbo.com.

It was about 8 blocks from the French Quarter, where we rode our bikes to every day. We walked to Frenchmen Street (4 blocks) every evening to stroll from one Jazz club to the next to enjoy the best music in a very artsy, bohemian setting. We couldn't wait until Thursday when the Frenchmen Street Art Market opened. We have always loved that place.

One night our friends from Covington drove down and took us to the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone on Royal. We took photos in the carousel mirror and saw strange images in the reflection. (haunted??? hmmmmm) Then we strolled a few doors down and heard Washboard Chaz  - you just really never know who you will see and hear when in the Big Easy.

We visited the French Market one morning and almost rode our bikes into the live shooting of a new HBO show called "Quarry". It's set in the 70's - so our modern bicycles would have been out of place in that scene. I still can't believe when I heard a man's voice say "Can you stop?", that I actually replied "Why?".... when normally I would have peddled faster. He replied "Because they are shooting.." and I turned and said "Like....bang...bang??" lol. We toured the inside of the St. Louis Cathedral (yes, air conditioning!) and ate breakfast on cute bistro tables on street corners.

We met this book author at the French Market.

Hubby hired this street poet to write a poem to me on her non-electric typewriter. What a teasure!

Sandra and her daughter that own Cajun Corral Farm at the Frenchmen Street Art Market. I bought the nicest goatmilk tropical scented lotion from her.

We had a romantic dinner at Adolfo's next to the Frenchmen Street Art Market on our last night. Then headed home the next day to pick up our daughter from camp!!

 She was there with several friends from the youth theater, but she met several new friends as well.

She was awarded a Craft Award from her craft teacher, Missy Robertson (yes, the one from Duck Dynasty), and her other teacher was Mrs. Howard (Korie's mom)

My Happy Camper!!

One wonderful summer month - almost over. Ready for the next adventure. Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to follow me at Melanie Douthit Art Studio on facebook - or on Instagram at DouthitArt

Have a great day.

Last week's Taylor Swift 1989 World Tour Concert in Bossier City Louisiana

Last week my daughter and I went to the Taylor Swift 1989 World Tour concert in Bossier City, Louisiana. It as the first US city for the tour. How exciting. We met up with some friend's outside and took some pics with the tour truck in the background. There were lots of folks taking pics like this.

We were soooo lucky to have gotten tickets. They sold out in seconds the first day. It was in November, so I gave them to by daughter as a Christmas gift. Our seats were very high in the second tier and for some reason, this is the only concert I have attended and sat up high that people stood up. and never sat back down........ ever. Some did, but if people in front of you stand - you can't see. The second tier is at such a slope that standing for prolonged periods of time is uncomfortable. Plus if you have a purse - you have to stand AND hold it? When Taylor was talking about her personal struggles.... there were two ladies behind us talking - quite loudly.... I almost videoed them to post - so people could be shocked... but I didn't want to be THAT mean. So I told me daughter to follow me. We went to the lower level and found two seats - asked if anyone was sitting there - and (shock) they were free. A sold out concert..... and empty seats. Yeah for us. The people on this level were all sitting and we enjoyed the show. Her platform that raised and extended was right in front of us. So nice. Here are a few pics.

She only sang two songs from previous albums. This is my fourth time to see her, my daughter's third. I do miss the older style, but she's a fabulous entertainer, and as an artist, I understand changing and exploring. I mean, we would have been there three more hours if she covered all her songs. It was great. She went to Baton Rouge, Louisiana two days later and I enjoyed seeing more of my friends post photos from that concert.

Thanks for stopping by! I am so sorry I have neglected my blog. Please follow my facebook page at Melanie Douthit Art Studio for more current news.

Art Gallery Crawl This Thursday June 5 2014

I am so excited about this Thursday night's art gallery crawl!!

First of all, I am the featured artist at The River Gallery on Trenton Street, West Monroe. My show is called "Enjoying the Journey". The gallery will be open until 9pm Thursday, June 5 during the gallery crawl!

Here is one of my newest pieces. I call it "Enchanted". It's 24" x 24" and has a coat of resin on the surface.

The shops on Trenton Street AKA Antique Alley, West Monroe, will also be open till 9pm AND will hosts area artists in the shops. And if that isn't enough, the other art galleries will be full of beautiful art and hosted by the wonderful artists! You can find out more on the Downtown Crawl Facebook Page!

And the best part - it's all free!! And the trolley, also free, will make stops all night at all the galleries. What a fun night!

The ladies in my mixed media art workshop are so amazing! We have two classes left and during those classes they are all going to be making a "girl" piece - something inspirational, personal and beautiful. I can't wait. Here is what they worked on last night.

How inspiring their pieces are!!

If you are a mixed media artist, or paper crafter - don't miss out on the new Mixed Media Monthly Challenge Blog!  Every month the design team will give a challenge, and the first one is up now. Just post a link on the blog with your challenge piece and you will be entered for a prize. This month's random winner will win a $25 gift certificate to Inspiration Emporium!  Who doesn't need more supplies to create beautiful things with!?

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Mixed Media a Collage Bayou Painting

I love combining my love of paper crafts with my love of painting. To me, it's the best of both worlds and I don't feel like its "work" at all. Here's a little peek at my most recent mixed media painting in progress.

I started by layering various patterned papers. My intent for this was to make a bayou scene, so I went for papers that made me think "gumbo". I also three in some old newspapers, sheet music and burlap.

These images show the papers as well as the drawing of the scene on top.

Next, I started layering paints and definition, carefully leaving parts of the papers showing through. I love the unexpected patterns peeking through in random places.

Here is one more in progress pic. Someone described the color and style as "well worn denim".

And here is the final piece. I call it "Moonlight on the Bayou". It's 20"x20" and for sale in my Etsy store.

Thanks for stopping by!

Antique Alley Art Tour West Monroe

Downtown West Monroe will be rocking this Thursday night! In conjunction with the Downtown Art Gallery Crawl, the Antique Alley Association merchants will be open late and hosting artists in their shops. With the River Gallery at 308 Trenton Street having 30 artists, and 30 more shops being open, this makes 60 artists in a two block area. There will be a band outside - Amanda McDowell and The Twlilight Zone will be entertaining the shoppers.

I have been so busy getting ready for this, as well as my daughter, who is also showing art in one of the shops.

There is still lots to do!

Here is a peek of one of my pieces.

I will also have a four foot x four foot piece, "Born on the Bayou" for my Southern theme.

It is coated in resin and really shines! It will be at Brazzell & Co Home, 311 Trenton Street, West Monroe.

If you are local, come on out to Trenton Street, West Monroe from 5-9pm!

Starting off This Week Full Throttle

Happy July! I'm starting this Monday full blast. I had to take some things to the post office, so just for fun, we stopped by the Duck Dynasty warehouse. Can you believe that we live just a couple miles away and haven't stopped by. (Gasp?)

We didn't stay long, and off we went to run errands.

I finished a new piece Saturday. It's 30" x 40" and my daughter named it "Over the Rainbow". It's similar to my "Summertime Blues" painting. It's available if anyone is interested. Just message me thru my website or facebook page.

 "Over the Rainbow" by Melanie Douthit

I got the sweetest commission this weekend. I was asked to put a hidden message in a piece. I'll be starting it tomorrow. I'm also working on a very fun project that I hope turns out. More on that in the weeks to come.

Thanks for stopping by today!