Rock Me Mama (Butch Cage)

Rock Me Mama (Butch Cage) 2012

ink and acrylic on found violin case

Butch Cage could raise a ruckus with his partner Willie B. Thomas.  Together, this dynamic duo played in the old timey black southern string music fashion dating back to the early 1900's.  The tunes swing and rock, folk and blues and pinch of raw southern jazz.

Easy Rider Blues (Moise Robin) 2011

Easy Rider Blues (Moise Robin)
ink and acrylic on found wood
14.5" x 16"

Moise Robin was next in line, following the unfortunate death of Mayeus LaFleur, as Leo Soileau's accordionist. Moise and Leo recorded many classic Cajun sides together. Moise lived a long prosperous life.

Mama, Where You At? (Mayeus LaFleur) 2011

"Mama, Where You At?" (Mayeus LaFleur)
ink and acrylic and found wood on found wood

LaFleur's story is a brief one and a sad one. He was abandoned by his mother while he was an infant, raised by his father til his was a toddler, and then given to an uncle when his father could no longer raise a child and make a living. His uncle taught him to play accordion, and he quickly became one of the finest musicians around Louisina. So good in fact, one of the greatest fiddlers of the time, Leo Soileau, made him his partner. Together in 1928, they recorded one of the first Cajun records. On the day Mayeus got paid, he said he was going to use the money to find his mother.
Coming home from a gig, Mayeus stopped at a friend's ( a liquor bootlegger)house for a drink, when a man came up and started a quarrel with the bootlegger over a truck and broken porch. The man started shooting and shot the bootlegger and Mayeus ran to his friend's side to get him to safety and took a bullet to the heart and died instantly. He never had the chance to hear his own record. Told you it was a sad one.

Angola Special/ Two Wings (Robert Pete Williams) Nov. 2010

I started this piece in the summer. Had it built and inked, but just couldn't bring myself to start painting it for some reason. I started painting it toward the end of October and finally finished it in November.
Robert Pete Williams was a Louisiana blues man (kinda like the Thelonious Monk of country blues) who was imprisoned in Angola State Penitentiary for homicide. He claims to have shot a man in self-defense, but was sentenced to life in prison. Long story short, a folklorist did some field recordings in the prison, and couldn't believe the stuff coming out Robert Pete Williams. In a plea for Williams' freedom, the folklorist played the music for the judge. The judge was impressed and set Williams free with several years of not being able to leave home. The probation ended just in time for Williams to enjoy the folk and blues revival of the late 60's and 70's.
Anyway, ink, acrylic, and found chicken wire on found wood

Hoodoo'd Blues (Lightnin' Slim, 2010)

On a a roll here!!! Thee wickedest swampiest bluesiest gueetar slinger ever there was...Lightnin' Slim. His album Rooster Blues is all that and a bag a chips and an ice cold sixer on a humid day (like today)...ink, acrylic, found, pine cone pieces for fingernails on found wood...this one is headed for the new cajun digs in Gahanna, J. GUMBO'S.

United Our Thing Will Stand (James Booker) 2010

The great gonzo pianist from the Big Easy! Ink, acrylic, bottle caps, found wood on found wood

Folk Blues (Leadbelly) 2009: response to LA trip

Short and sweet little piece of Leadbelly. Ink and acrylic and bottle caps on found wood...found in Louisiana, anyway this is going to the Holcombes. Thanks for all your hospitality and great kindness!!

Let's Make a Record.03

Champion's Blues
24" x 24"
ink and acrylic on wood
1.19.09


Champion Jack Dupree was the master of New Orleans Barrel House Boogie Woogie Piano. His good Friend Tuts was the jazzier side and the Champ was the bluesier side of the same coin.


Here's a little bit'a sweetness: the Champ with King Curtis!!!

Let's Make a Record.02

Professor Piano
20" x 27"
ink, acrylic, sawdust, bottle caps, and found wood on wood
1.19.09

Isidore "Tuts" Washington, the granddaddy of New Orleans Boogie Woogie Piano Rhythm and Blues. He was the big influence on Toussiant, Fessa, Dr. John, James Booker, and on and on...hail Tuts!!! Here is a short and sweet bio of Tuts at allaboutjazz.com.

Here's Tuts ticklin' them ivories!!!

Let's Make a Record

Rockin' Chair Man
ink, acrylic, sawdust, and found wood on wood
27" x 40"


Here we have D.L. Menard, the Cajun Hank Williams. When this gentleman isn't rockin' a house party, crawfish boil, or gently strummin' his six-string, he is making the finest rocking chairs in Louisiana.

This painting no. 17 for my first one man show in an official gallery. I want to have about 40 pieces for my show at River Oaks Arts Center in Alexandria, LA. The title of the show is Let's Make a Record and all the pieces are portaits of Louisianian musicians.

Here is a little D.L. magic!!!