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.
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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".
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| 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.
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| 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...
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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
Hi I'm Shine's granddaughter and i just wanted to say thank you for saying such kind things about my grandfather
ReplyDeleteI met Shine through his brother Rocky at the incredible Bayou Cabins. I was blown away by the pieces of art hanging in the front cabin, cut metal with great detail capturing figures of local and national prominence. Works contain words, phrases, dates and names of songs or play on words that highlight the visuals. the added bonus is that both sides are painted with different images, each complementing the other. Shine is a special man and he shared stories of his life and art and I have 2 pieces hanging in my house now. We stay in regular contact and I can't wait to be back in Breaux Bridge to see Shine and his brother.
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