I have now painted for almost a year in Pirate’s Alley in New Orleans. You can set up to paint on Royal Street on the fence behind the St. Louis Cathedral or around the corner in Pirate’s Alley. I have already described springtime and summer painting in Pirate’s Alley (see end of this post for links). Each season has it’s own character and the fall brings back the cool weather and more visitors. There also seems to be more artists on the street. Royal Street becomes more attractive on cool days as the afternoon sun is welcomed. This means getting up much earlier to get a good spot. I try to get there at daybreak or even before. On the left is a 5AM partial set up. You can see the time on the clock on the back of St. Louis Cathedral. On the right is a more complete set up on Royal Street.
The early morning fog can be quite nice. I may have to paint it some day.
Before completing the set up by putting work on the side walk. I wait for the sidewalk cleaners to finish their daily ritual of power spraying the leftover trash from last night before setting up. We always thank them for their efforts. However, if you sleep later and end up on Pirate’s Alley there is still plenty of traffic. After completing the set up I go for coffee and beignets or perhaps a breakfast special such as these grits and sausage for three dollars.
I am working most of the time I am down there, as it offers a good venue to paint. Here are work set ups on Royal and the alley.
During all the seasons a great trad jazz band led by Doreen Ketchins sets up around noon only a block away in front of Rouses’s, in good hearing distance. The live music is great to paint by. I recently did paintings of Doreen and her trombone player as shown below. She liked them and I exchanged paintings for some of her many CDs. Doreen displayed the paintings the rest of the day. Brass band music filters over from Jackson Square if you are on that end of the alley. Occasionally, a well-trained opera singer starts up in the late afternoon on Royal.
Accessible bathrooms are a trade secret. Come down to the street and I can share this insider’s knowledge. After painting, Cindy and I have gone to Pat ’O’Briens a few times. It is great fun to hear songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Winter comes late to New Orleans and it is still fall weather at Christmas time. Usually New Year’s marks the transition of seasons. I am looking forward to the winter season on Pirate’s Alley and will bring you the results in a few months. Meanwhile, I hope to see you in the Quarter. I try to be there on Fridays. There is still much time to do your holiday shopping.
Aside from Pirate's Alley, in New Orleans there are currently paintings for sale hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is Willie Mae’s Uptown at 7457 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, 504-417-5424. Here is a post describing the showing at Willie Mae’s. Another is Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobono's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). There are also paintings hanging at the Albert Brown Salon located at 3424 Magazine Street in New Orleans. Here is a post about the Albert Brown show with all of the images.
If you are not in New Orleans, the best way to easily see most of my paintings for sale is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and Albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100. The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them, I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.
Here are my two previous posts: