Now I'll let you in on a little secret... One of the real reasons we wanted to go back and visit The Big Easy was because we wanted to scope out some paintings for our home. We are smitten with the work of James Michalopoulos and think that it would be a perfect and fitting touch to add a little New Orleans to our Texas home.
Troy was born and raised in New Orleans; in fact, the hospital he was born at is only 7 minutes from the hospital Peyton was born at (27 years later). So New Orleans is firmly rooted in Troy's heart and even with all of its problems and crime, I have a soft spot in my heart for it too.
After our breakfast of beignets, we headed down town, paid for parking and settled the kids in the stroller. We bounced down the uneven sidewalks and smelled the original scent that is New Orleans and made our way to the gallery with haste. 
James' art style is wild and impressionistic and reminds me a lot of Vincent Van Gogh with a Creole feel. It is vibrant, textured, vivid and really captures what it means to live in New Orleans.
There are so many that I wish I could call my own...
The Garden District style homes (see painting at bottom right) get me every time. I love those beauties with their wide porches, distinct gables and quaint courtyards and gardens. 
I love the funky cars he paints too. Troy thinks they are 'cool' but don't evoke enough of a New Orleans flair to him. 
This serigraph print is one of my absolute favorites. It shows Louis Armstrong standing outside on St. Louis Street in the French Quarter holding his trumpet and wiping the sweat from his face. I just love the golden glow from the windows, the crescent moon in the sky, the band waiting for him back inside and the pure look of joy on his face. Just beautiful. 
Oops, this one turned out a little blurry; but you get the idea. This is a painting of one of the many thousands of above ground graves that can be seen in cemetaries across the Crescent City. The reason that the dead are buried above ground and not below in New Orleans is because the water level is so high that in many cases, to dig deep enough for a grave, you'd risk hitting water. This presented a nasty result during Hurricane Katrina when there were literally corpses floating in the rising water levels because they were swept out of their tombs. I'm just glad I was spared that particular image of the city...
The tilting angles of the buildings in the French Quarter really make me think of Van Gogh- that painting in the center is superb don't you think? 
Check out that blue car! Wouldn't it be fun to ride around in a classic vehicle? The building looks familiar, and I'm sure my New Orleans friends will be able to tell me what it is but my mind just can't figure out where I've seen it before.
More art from upstairs. 
James also paints depictions of nature; one of my true hearts delights. I adore trees- and he captures them in his colorfully kaleidoscope way. 
Troy really likes the yellow house with the tree branches caressing the sky and framed in by moon and cloud swirls. I really like the swirly pond to the right of that painting.
How now brown cow? I must admit that I love that brown cow. I'm not sure where I'd ever put it, but the bright blues, greens and brown and cream looks lovely together. I also love Peyton sneaking a peek outside to see all the action on the street. 
Troy is just so-so with the man taking a stroll down the street, but I ♥LOVE♥ this piece of art. I love the beautiful homes in the background, the light shining down from the moon and the happiness on the man's face. Perfect. 
This picture doesn't do it justice, but the painting of Satchmo is truly beautiful and unique. All of the swirls of paint and color combined, the action of Louis playing the trumpet- it's stunning.
This one at the top is Troy's favorite and very likely will be a giclee hanging in our home within the next 6 months. Although we'd love to have the original, we just don't have $27,000 lying around. Yes, you read that right. 27 G's! The giclee's price isn't anything to sneeze at either, but is certainly more affordable than the original.
Here are some other favorites that weren't at the gallery the day we went {James was in San Francisco at a meet and greet at his gallery there so he took a bunch of our favorites with him}.
"Home"
"Trees to Please"
"Marigny Made"
"Greek Revival"
What do you think? Do you like Michalopoulos as much as we do?
4 comments:
Yes!!!!! I went into this gallery the first time a few months ago. Let me first say I'm surprised they let you take all the pictures you did. Loved almost everything I saw. Even the unique sculptures at the front. My fav was $35K. Go figure. I swear it was the most expensive one, but I doubt it. Hope you get one to put in your house. Truly a classic :)
It's funny that we are in TX an ya'll are in LA. But even reading and looking at these pictures makes me "Miss New Orleans". If we end up in TX, I wonder if we could build a creole home?
Hi,
This was a great tour of Michalopoulos gallery in N.O. I'm a local, and I think that he really captures the feel of the city.
If you like his work, and it speaks to you, buy it. If you try to rationalize it, you will never do it.
The good thing about his work, is that he has like 4 or 5 different price levels. From posters to original oils. So, there is something for everyone.
I can't afford an original, but I do own 2 giclees, "Moon over Mazant" and "Marigny Made". I enjoy both immensely.
Good luck.
How much does his giclee's range in price? We are looking at a similar style and feeling them out. I did not realize the giclee route which makes it more palatable.
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