Artist's Journal
Posted Sep 22, 2008 at 3:49 PMA Vey Good Year!
In December of 2007 a friend of mine called and said "You are in Soap Opera Digest!" Well I knew that my life felt quite dramatic at times but how did they know? As it turns out, the magazine was writing an article about soap opera stars' fondest memories of the year 2007. Earlier that year I had delivered a painting to Christian J.Leblanc (Michael, Young and the Restless) and there it was in the article "An amazing artist, Melissa Bonin, hung her own painting in my house! It was wonderful!", he said.
In the artists's studio
Getting the right light for the installation
Posted Nov 15, 2006 at 9:17 AM
Moss-Inspired
In October 2006, I had the privilege of working with the talented P.J Naomi of Paul's Jewelry to create my first moss-inspired necklace.Here is what was used to decribe the necklace in the sales catalogue:
"Notice her use of the earth tone colors of lemon along with blue hues of aqua back lit in sections of bright, intense light. Her well conceived concept of moss is portrayed by 150 Lemon Citrine Briolettes cascading off of a diamond encrusted branch, just as the Spanish moss freely flows in the slightest of breezes on the trees. This delicate branch of 14kt white gold paved in over 1.00cts of full cut diamonds reflects the sunlight breaking through canopy above. The strong, natural color of blue is represented by two round cut blue topaz, separated by a 33pts brilliant cut diamond, giving a balance not only in color but in structure.
"Truly, this one of a kind jewelry is a perfect example of natural earth tone colors well designed for apparel wear, having delicate and feminine features which will lends itself not just to a great piece of jewelry but a true work of art.
"--P.J., Paul's Jewelery"
Posted Aug 17, 2006 at 6:31 AM
Large installation
This July I completed and Craig and Louis and I installed a 9 foot painting at the Riverfront Hotel at 701 Convention Blvd. in New Orleans. The painting was envisioned and commissioned by Roger Ogden and is on permanent display in the lobby. You may also see "Moss to Flame Flickering" in the bar/restaurant area.
The painting left my studio at 8 am and was finally installed 6 hours later with lots of expert help. Thanks Craig and Louis!
Posted Aug 14, 2006 at 8:18 AM
In the City
February 2006, six months after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ripped through my homeland, two more major events occurred in my life. I lost my mother suddenly and 20 days later opened in New York City in a location next to the former site of the World Trade Center. Balancing these two extreme opposite experiences was surreal. Two of my dearest female friends tucked me under their wings and swept me off to the "City" to eat the pork chop that Yoko Ono eats at Cesca's and make my debut. We could still smell the ashes from ground zero when we hailed our cab that night and I cried when I thought I saw my mom shopping in one of the stores near Sak's.
From the Art of New York
Me and my best friends in New York City in record breaking cold weather. So cold that you could feel the air freeze in your lungs before you exhaled it.
Posted Jan 16, 2006 at 4:50 PM
Willie Mae Seaton
Willie Mae Seaton, 89 years old, is the owner of the world famous Scotch house, corner of North Conti and Saint Anne Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, which was opened 57 years ago. Willie Mae served a glass of Scotch and a glass of milk with the meals to her clients at the Scotch House. I had the honor of speaking with her on the phone the day people showed up from all around the world to rebuild her restaurant. Her conversation, as usual, oozed love and yeah baby . She was so overwhelmed with emotion that day that every couple of words, I could hear her cry just a little.
Willie Mae Seaton winner of the James Beard award talking to me on the phone the day that people came from all over the world to rebuild The Scotch House. Photo by David Grunfeld.
Link of the moment:
Southern Foodways article about Wille Mae Seaton
Posted Nov 17, 2005 at 3:39 PM
Trip to the basin
This trip to the Atchafalaya Basin inspired my new bird series. My birds are an attempt to capture the sound, flicker of light and flutter of birds in flight in relationship with one another. In some strange and beautiful way the haunting almost skeletal images echo our past.....our evolution.
Boat captain
Leda in the swamp
Posted Nov 17, 2005 at 3:01 PM
Antediluvian moment
This photo of me and Cajun Musician Legend D.L. Menard was taken just before Hurricane Rita devastated our area. It would only be a few weeks time before all of this land would be covered by more than 10 feet of water. This afternoon was a particularly beautiful one and D.L. played sweetly while babies and big folks danced all around the yard.
Posted Nov 7, 2005 at 8:01 AM
Inside the tree
Between Hurricanes Katrina and Rita I had this tree cut down. I hate cutting trees down unnecessarily but it was growing next to my studio and would have taken my house out had I not had it cut before Rita hit. I had no idea that it was almost completely hollow inside. Close call!!
Posted Jun 22, 2005 at 11:25 AM
Robert Rauschenberg
My wonderful award-winning photographer friend Philip Gould took this photo of Robert Rauschenberg at his gala opening at the Paul and Lulu Hilliard Museum in Lafayette, Louisiana. I was lucky enough to have seen Philip with his camera and ran to put myself in the photo for fun. Later I got to spend time with Mr. Rauschenburg. I must admit to being tongue tied in the presence of such a kind , generous spirit and talented human being. You can see more of Philip's work at philipgould.com and the Rauschenberg exhibit is a must.
Link of the moment:
Visit Philip Gould's web site, philipgould.com
Posted May 31, 2005 at 10:04 AM
The view from my canoe
On my last canoe trip down the bayou behind my house I met up with a gentleman boater and his beautiful black Lab. From this perspective I also like to watch the construction of the new Lewis Street Bridge.
Black lab on the bayou
Bridge under construction
To see earlier, archived entries, click on title:
Ducks on my doorstep
Watch the birdie
Paint Ball Warriors
Spanish Lake
Television interview
Palettes and Pates
Art in the Governor's Mansion
Governor in the Gallery
Seminar Presenters Extraordinaire
Paul et Paul et Moi