June in New Orleans is when flowers take over.
They spill from gardens, climb iron railings, and stretch into the streets, filling the air with a heady, living perfume. The heat is warm but not yet heavy — like in July and August. It’s the pause before deep summer, when petals open wide and everything seems to soften.

SUMMER, A Crepe Myrtle in New Orleans
Chalk Pastel on Paper
50 × 76 cm // 20 × 30 inches
Framed and matted to 29 × 39 inches
New Orleans, US
Created in New Orleans

L’HISTOIRE

One of the things I missed most when I lived away from New Orleans is how the city seems to grow itself. There is no separation between neighborhoods and nature. The encroaching swamp and all her creatures, flora and fauna alike, make their homes between sidewalks, under and in houses, along roads and rivers and ditches. There is no place in this city where you don’t feel, with utter certainty, that you are in South Louisiana.

The flowers that bloom in May and early June still hold that precious feeling of soft newness, which I love so much about early summer. Spring here is a big energetic party. Starting all the way back from Carnival season in January, to after Jazzfest in May, there doesn’t seem to be a minute to pause.

Then, the flowers start to bloom and everything settles—a deep, quiet breath before the suffocating heat of summer.

PROCESS & MATERIALS
I create each original chalk pastel painting on 100% cotton, deckled-edged, cold pressed heavy weight art paper. My preferred chalks come from the artisanal pastelliers in Roussillon, Provence, in tandem with Senneliers chalk pastels - a very high quality, hand-crafted, elegant range which blends and layers perfectly.

As part of my process, I create a layered thickness to the chalk itself by using art fixative spray in layers as I work - not just as a final finish like you would a varnish. In this way, I can create a pastel painting which shows more texture and depth than your average pastel drawing on paper.

HANDLING
Chalk pastel, however, remains a fluid, movable medium which will never fully “set” like a varnished oil painting, for example. This is one of the reasons I love this medium so much, but which requires dedicated care and attention for handling.

FRAMING
Framing is included for this artwork, and I will be in touch about your framing after purchase. I absolutely love frame details and will be delighted to discuss options and recommendations with you.

SHIPPING
This art ships from New Orleans, LA, USA - Packaging original art is an art form unto itself, and one which I have been honing for years. I package your original art with as much care as I took creating it.

Let’s talk about any questions you might have - please don’t hesitate to reach out.