Cover Artist Gretchen Templet WHILE COVER ARTIST GRETCHEN Templet’s professional background is in interior design, she is a life-long drawer and painter. Her true masterpieces lie in the vibrant world she creates with her paintings, inspired by the blossoms that have adorned her life since childhood. Gretchen Templet’s journey into art began as a young girl under the guidance of her third-grade art teacher when she discovered the power of expressing herself through art. She remembers the affirming praise she received for a plantation drawing she created. That day, she heard her teacher say, “W ..read more

Stephanie Gaffney’s Live Wedding Art Unveiled by Greta Honsberger LOUISIANA NATIVE Stephanie Gaffney has carved an inspiring path through the art world, establishing herself as a renowned artist. Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from LSU, Stephanie’s artistic journey has seen her evolve from a graphic designer to an independent artist. Her creative endeavors have been marked by accolades, including “The Knot Best of Weddings” in 2019 and 2021. Her work found a spotlight in the pages of People Magazine in 2021, solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the art scene. It is an honor to ..read more

by Greta Honsberger ARTIST CHRISTINA PAPPION discovered her talent and great love for drawing and painting as a child, spending time at her grandparents’ house. One day, her grandfather noticed her boredom and suggested drawing to entertain herself. The idea worked. In her hours of creating, Christina developed a deep passion for drawing because, as she created, time seemed to fly by as visions in her mind came to life on paper; she loved the experience. Her passion for art only grew from there as she began to enter art contests in school and won the competitions. With confidence and a love fo ..read more

THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION is excited to play host to the highly anticipated Smithsonian Exploration of “American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith” thru October 8th. This thought-provoking exhibit brings an immersive and enlightening experience that delves into the rich history and often challenging workings of American democracy. As American history teaches, the brave colonists made the great leap from a government ruled by the silencing and greedy Crown to the notion that liberty could be theirs. Although the Patriots were deemed the apparent underdog, victory would be theirs, offe ..read more

by Greta Honsberger LOCAL TALENTED AND ACCOMPLISHED artist Cathy Trione embarked on her artistic journey against a backdrop of creative inspiration and nurturing. “Even as a small child,” Cathy notes, “I was intense about my artwork.” In later years, she found herself fortunate to be part of an exceptional art department at Archbishop Toolen High School in Mobile. The department provided a fertile ground for exploring and appreciating contemporary art. The influence of one particular nun, who had worked with renowned artist, Sister Corita Kent, encouraged Cathy in artistic expression. This for ..read more

by Cayman Clevenger The Indelible Fingerprint of the Art and Legacy of the Father of Contemporary Art in Louisiana RISING DEFIANTLY ABOVE THE BANKS of Bayou Bonfouca stands George Dunbar’s largest work of art, his home and two studios carved into the marshland by the legendary artist himself. Inside, sweeping panoramic floor to ceiling windows open onto a seemingly endless expanse of marshland sitting on the cusp of Lake Pontchartrain. On one side of the room, a large antique mirror reflects two of Dunbar’s works of scale—a piece from the series Coin du Lestin, a carved geometric compositio ..read more

by Kelly Hightower AS I WRITE ABOUT the landscapes Billy Solitario is famous for, I am struck by an irony similar to what must have been felt by the composer of Nat King Cole’s famous “Christmas Song’’ which is better known by its first line, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.” Mel Torme wrote the lyrics on a particularly hot July day in Toluca Lake, California. Conversely, I’m peering deep into Billy’s ultra-detailed paintings of the summer skies of Horn Island, but I’m physically located under the New Mexico sky during a blizzard in late April. Billy Solitario is a prolific artist whose ..read more

by Kelly Hightower ZANA RANĐELOVIĆ BROWN AND LISA ALPAUGH call each other flowerheads and fittingly so. Creating whimsical art adorned with flowers is their kindred connection. Zana and Lisa also share a similar journey into the art business. They both started working with art as a medium of personal expression which grew into a career. Together they opened The Zana Brown Studio/LiBird Studio on October 1, 2022, the night of Art for Art’s Sake. According to Lisa, “We are humbled to be in the space formerly occupied by Mario Villa and Julie Neill of Julie Neill Designs. The floor in the fr ..read more

by Brad Ferrand A PICTURE IS WORTH a thousand words. Nowhere is this adage more apparent than inside Steve Rapport’s (Mostly) Rock ‘n’ Roll Gallery. Located at 627 Saint Peter Street in the French Quarter, this new gallery from acclaimed British photographer Steve Rapport showcases an outstanding array of photographs of rock and pop icons such as Annie Lennox, David Bowie, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, and Joe Strummer from The Clash. Gallery owner Steve Rapport has photographed some of the most iconic rockstars in his lifetime, and his new gallery shares his stunning images taken during his caree ..read more

by Kelly Hightower WHILE CHATTING WITH TINA MARIE in her studio, we happened upon the coincidence that we both took our daughters to Paris when they were teenagers. When Tina Marie mentioned the Aubrey Hepburn quote, “Paris is always a good idea,” I knew we would get along just fine. We connected over a beloved actress and motherhood. Tina Marie considers raising her two children her greatest accomplishment despite being sought internationally for her art. Tina Marie began creating art professionally in 2013. As a self-taught artist, she uses her hands and fingertips only. The subtle and h ..read more