A Tale of Two Artists

At the beginning of 2021, I was completely done with the effects of a COVID year. After being quarantined in our Blue Ridge Ga home for over 3 months. I had grown tired of our drab home decor and desperately needed a change.

New Orleans is my FAVORITE city. I have spent countless vacations and made beautiful memories with family and friends visiting the ”city that never sleeps”.

I love its culture. I love the vibrant jewel-tone colors, the soulful music, incredible history, delicious food, and the wonderful eclectic cajun people that call NOLA home.

So I decided to go in search of New Orleans art to bring my home back to life. I spent hours on Instagram searching for art that brought me joy and reminded me of the city I love so much. I came across a beautiful artist named Jennifer Boggart @cucumbercatnola. She is a talented painter whose works portray the “Happy New Orleans Vibe” I was looking for. I love that the main character in almost every one of her pieces is modeled after a drawing her daughter had created.

I have been creating ceramic pieces for almost 20 years. I had heard of art exchanges before but had never done one and thought it would be fun to try. So I completely went out of my comfort zone, sent her a message, and asked her if she would be interested in an exchange. I was thrilled when she agreed. We decided that she would create a painting for me in exchange for a set of ceramic pieces for her. I sent her a photograph of my lifelong friends hugging the lamp post at the cross street of Bourbon and Bienville in the French Quarter. It was taken after our Grand 50th Birthday brunch at the famous Gallatoires. Each of us would tell you it was the best birthday we have ever had! A memory that I will never forget!

To capture that memory I asked her if she would create a painting that would reflect that photo in her own creative way and boy did she deliver!

I am forever grateful for this beautiful whimsical work of art and cannot wait to hang it in our revived home. I love that art can connect two souls who have never met. I can envision Jennifer selling her colorful works on Magazine Street or Jackson Square. Jennifer "Thank You" for "Spreading Good Deeds like Flower Seeds". You are an inspiration and I look forward to meeting you on my next trip to New Orleans. Laissez les bon temps rouler.