SABZI - Add a splash of color to your holiday!

"My artistic inspiration, the very basis of form and color for my work, comes from my childhood memories of Persian rugs designed and weaved by my mother. As I watched her for hours creating gorgeous patterns, hues and textures, her fingers dancing across the loom, the designs and shapes of my current work took form. My creations flow from the same source of energy and creativity that inspired my mother." - Sabzi

Sabzi's subjects are almost always women, beautiful, graceful, taciturn and lugubrious, they reflect solitude. His women are Madonna's, modern goddesses, and martyred saints whose elongated form suggest instability and internal conflict. Their anonymous faces transform then into religious icons that transcend and defy the demands of reality. Yet, other paintings reflect warmth, charm, gayety, happiness, and his undisputed love and admiration for women.

Sabzi's paintings resonate both Eastern and Western philosophies. His rich Persian heritage provides him with ancient images and sentimental Persian themes and memories of innocence. The Western source of influences comes from one of the most creative moments of modernism of Cezanne and Matisse....learn more about Sabzi.

R.C. Davis - Bring home a piece of the South this Holiday!

Richard Christopher (R. C.) Davis is one of the best-known artists in the Gulf Coast area. Born October 19, 1950 in a rural area outside Amite, Louisiana, he lived the stereotypical life of a farm boy. His love of the natural and farm landscape are outgrowths of his childhood that continue to influence his art today.

As he grew older Chris began studying the lives and painting techniques of a wide range of artist. He taught himself to draw and paint by imitating their methods. At the age of 21, after a two year stint at junior college, R. C. opened a successful sign company.

A decade-and-a half later, a failed marriage, dissatisfaction with the business world, a biography of Van Gogh and a trip to the National Gallery all had a part in convincing Chris to pursue a more fulfilling life. Thus began his career as a fine artist.

Within a short time he was attracting the attention of collectors. Among them were a publisher of fine art prints. The release of those first limitededition prints provided a steady source of income and insured him wider exposure to the public at large. During the last twenty or so years, he has become one of the most beloved artists in the region.

During much of this period R. C. painted the rural world - farmhouses, wildlife and the Louisiana landscape. In 2004 he turned his attention to the city of New Orleans. While many have painted New Orleans, most have painted landmarks devoid of the bustle of daily life. Chris took a different approach. He didn’t focus on one building, but the entire street. And people populated his work - people going about their daily routines.

Even Mardi Gras by Chris is different. Instead of focussing on a float or a few revelers, he provides you with a panoramic view of the entire parade and the buildings that act as the backdrop. You are positioned in the middle of the teeming crowd, but unlike being at the parade, you can see everyone there.

Painting New Orleans reinvigorated R. C. This lead him to travel and expand his repertoire of subjects. His paintings of the Appalachian Mountains and the west have lead to recognition over a much wider area and introduced his work to a multitude of new collectors. He appears to be on the verge of national recognition.

Learn more about R.C. Davis.

Hemmerling - Bring Home a Piece of Southern Culture for the Holidays

A piece of Art by William Hemmerling is the perfect addition to this Holiday Season!

The Influence of southern folk culture and many diverse life experiences are incorporated into the eclectic painting of William Hemmerling. Bill was born in Chicago and moved to Ponchatoula, Louisiana in 1977. Upon retirement in March 2002, he finally found time to paint from the heart. He is an untrained artist, yet his work reflects sophistication and creativity in both subject matter and the use of unusual materials. Bill is constantly searching for and using found or recycled materials for his one-of-a-kind creations.

There is an element of fantasy in much of his work and he often paints well into the early morning hours. He explores various themes of New Orleans Jazz musicians, Down By the River, nudes and famous artists and authors. But, he is best known for his series of Southern African American folk culture depicting life in the old south entitled "Sweet Olive". The Sweet Olive images are copyrighted and trademarked.

His love of people, his enthusiasm and his humble, "offbeat" nature bring a definite excitement and energy to his folk art. In the words of Bill Hemmerling, "One day when I let God out of the box I built, he danced with me".