A Photo Recap of the Weekends Booksignings

I am thankful for...

Leeroy's Boys-Shine Sonnier

Happy Thursday Art Trailers!! Its almost Friday and I know you're ready for the weekend because I sure am!! Hopefully today's post will be as inspiring to you as it was for me.

Last Thursday I mentioned that I had the wonderful opportunity to interview and visit with two folk artists brothers who paint under the name LeeRoy's Boys after their dad, LeeRoy Sonnier of Breaux Bridge, LA who loved horses and roosters. I had the privilege of meeting these self-taught artists, Shine and William Sonnier, while working on and releasing my new book, The Acadiana Art Trail.

LeeRoy Sonnier
by Shine

Shine first contacted me because he thought I may be interested in seeing his proud collection of folk art from his favorite artists like David Butler, Howard Fenster and R. A. Miller, but little did he know I was already familiar with his work and was more interested in interviewing "him".

Shine Sonnier

Getting Shine to talk about himself was somewhat of a challenge because this very humble artist is a folk art lover above all else. He is amazed with the creations of others and loves connecting with these ghost through their primitive, yet powerful passions.

Shine sharing with me some of his work...I enjoyed hearing the stories behind each piece!

Starting his work as an artist later in life in 2001, Shine paints under the name LeeRoy's Boy (singular) when he creates a piece of work without his brother, William. You may have run across some of his charming and whimsical pieces around Breaux Bridge, LA in places like Cafe Des Amis, Fly's Coffee House or the very private gallery overlooking the streets of Breaux Bridge owned by Ed Breaux. Or, maybe you've seen his work on a world famous Crawfish Festival Poster...

Crawfish Festival Poster
LeeRoy's Boys

Shine's style is very original, cutting out figures from recycled pieces of tin he's collected. Bandaids, he says, are his best friend!! Shine paints of stories from the past, friends, dogs, memories and other cultural icons indigenous to the Acadiana area. With Shine's work comes a double gift. Each painting is double sided...seeming to represent the yin and yang of all things.

What I loved most about my visit with Shine was his "bad ass" vintage workspace. Sorry for the cursing, but I have no other way to explain it. Its my dream studio....

 

Interviewing Shine was a great reminder that art has nothing to do with your educational, technique or skill level. It has nothing to do with the galleries one has shown in or the publications one has been featured in. It has nothing to do with the amount of money you sell your paintings for or the fact that you may be blessed to be a full time artist. Being with Shine reminded me that great art is about the imperfections of life that resonates in the soul and that my fellow art trailers is beautiful!

Next week, I'll tell you all about Shine's brother's work, William (can't wait!!). Stayed tuned and until next time....FOLLOW YOUR ART!!

LOVE,

THE ART TRAIL LADY

Port Barre Cracklin Festival!!

This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to attend my first ever Port Barre Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, LA. My boyfriend, Troy and I are living with his mother, Del, while we restore our vintage RV for traveling (that's a whole nother story). Anyway, Del is very involved with the Lion's club who puts on the Festival not to mention we live a few blocks away so needless to say we spent the weekend there. A little about the festival....

Begun in 1985, the Port Barre Cracklin Festival is the major fundraiser for the Port Barre Lions Club.  Attended by thousands of festival goes each year, it is a very important cultural event for the city of Port Barre and St. Landry Parish.

The festival contains all of the usual features found in many Southern Louisiana community festivals.  There is a Queen's Pageant with fifteen different age divisions, a parade down Main Street, carnival rides for all ages, live musical entertainment from local and regional artists, great food and drinks, and of course, the Cracklin Cook-Off.

The Cracklin Cook-Off is one of the highlights of each Cracklin Festival.  The Cook-Off is not only a test of cracklin cooking ability, but showmanship as well.  Divided into a Professional category for established restaurants and chefs, and an amateur category for people who just love to cook cracklins!  Prizes are awarded for both quality of cracklins, and booth presentation.

http://portbarrecracklinfestival.com/

Here are a few photos from our fun at the festival!!

A little taste of the food booths....

 Supposedly this pig booth has the best cracklin around....

 Artists create their version of pig art!!

 T-shirts are plentiful!

 Del working the beer ticket booth!

Troy's Niece, Lola and I enjoy the bumper cars!!

Follow Your Art!!

Love,

The Art Trail Lady

New in My Shop

Good Morning Art Trailers!!

I have a few new items in my ETSY shop I want to share with you guys. All paintings are mine and woodworking and copper are Troy's. We've been busy bees!!

You'll find some great items for Christmas if you've started shopping....something for everything-women, men, small and large.

Here is the link to the Art Trail Lady Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtTrailLady?ref=si_shop.

Here are a few pics of what you'll find...