Gallery at City Club Part 4-Hope Hebert

Paintings by Hope Hebert at City Club

One of the most successful artists in and around Lafayette is client and friend Hope Hebert. She has a major following. Constantly growing as an artist through experimentation with different styles and techniques, Hope isn't afraid to go out on a limb with her work. I think that is what makes it so exciting to see her new work unveiled. From Michalopoulos-style buildings to whimsical portraits of gals out on the town to abstracts, Hope has done it all.

After many years of classes with local teaching legend Pat Bourque and courses taught by Louise Guidry at University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Hope has mastered her style, no matter what the subject or medium. One can always expect a freshness in any of the artist's pieces. Inspired by old masters artists like John Singer Sargent, Modigliani, and contemporary artists such as Christel Minotti and Gregg Kreutz, Hope Hebert has fine-tuned her craft and makes each painting she does fresh and somehow new.

Personally, I prefer Hebert's approach to painting flowers in vases. Like the three pieces featured here, the acrylic on canvas pieces take on a life of their own. I have used them for clients mixed into a grouping of other small pieces and the vivacity of the colors works oh so well. These aren't the staid flower pieces you would find in Grandma's attic. Oh no, they are like the artist herself...charming, funky, and fun!

Roses of Red and White

Acrylic on Canvas

14" x 14"

$195.00

Fleur du Jour

Acrylic on Canvas

24" x 30"

$850.00

Soft Petals

Acrylic on Canvas

8" x 10"

$175.00

In addition to these three paintings, there are 7 others on show at the Gallery at City Club Fitness Center in Lafayette, LA. These pieces will be up through the end of September.

Stop by and take a look and take one home! If you need more information on any of the three paintings featured here, please be in touch with me at jefferymccullough@hotmail.com.

In addition to the show at City Club, Hope's paintings can be seen in Lafayette at:

Gallery 912 in the Oil Center, Flowers into Paintings on Westmark Blvd, and at the Lafayette Art Association Gallery on St. Mary Blvd.

in Breaux Bridge, LA, at Rue du Pont Galerie et Studio

and in New Orleans at Quince on Magazine Street in the Garden District

and always on her website:

www.hopehebert.com

Gallery at City Club Fitness Center-Part 3-Linda Moncla

Watercolors by Linda Moncla at Gallery at City Club Fitness Center

It is true. I love watercolors. I always have, always will. And I am tired of folks thinking for some reason that an oil painting is in some way superior to a watercolor. The talent, inspiration and devotion that is required to create a beautiful piece of art is required no matter the medium. And the restraint and lightness of touch that is necessary to produce the perfect shadowing in a watercolor is actually harder to manage than a heavy-handed oil painting.

I say it is time to give watercolorists their due! 

And I will start with Linda Moncla, a Lafayette, LA, based artist. I first discovered Linda's beautiful work at the 2008 Big Easel Art Show in Lafayette. After meeting her and getting to know her through working with her for the 2009 Big Easel, I am a devoted fan. Not only is Linda a sublimely talented artist, she is a true class act and a joy to be around.

After studying art in the late 70s and early 80s, Linda did not "pick up the brushes" again until 2007. Today, Linda is prolific and produces work constantly. Devotion to her work is key to the success she has experienced in the last two years. On Linda's website, www.lmoncla.com, when writing about painting Linda says:

"I wake up thinking about what I will paint and dream about it when I sleep."

That commitment coupled with the beauty of her work is what has given Linda the recognition she deserves at the 2008 and 2009 Big Easel Art Shows, Artwalk in Breaux Bridge, LA, and numerous awards at other juried shows.

Currently, Linda's work is exhibited at the Gallery at City Club Fitness Center and at Darnall, Sikes, Gardes, and Frederick, both in Lafayette.

There are nine of Linda's pieces at City Club and here are a few of my favorites:

Cypress Sunrise

"Morning light at Lake Martin, one of my favorite places"

Watercolor on paper, framed

$300.00

Trees on Fire

"The sunset behind trees on a bayou"

Watercolor on Paper, Framed

$185.00

River Ranch in the Rain

"View from the top floor of the Iberia Bank building on a stormy afternoon"

Watercolor on Paper, Framed

$450.00

Cypress Lake

"Lake Martin. The tree on the left had such beautiful

draping branches like an elegant lady."

Watercolor on Paper, Framed

$250.00

For more information on Linda Moncla or any of her pieces, please contact me at jefferymccullough@hotmail.com

Be sure to stop in and see the show at City Club which will be up through September.

And check out Linda's website..www.lmoncla.com

Summer Discoveries Part 1-Seaside, Florida

I have returned to Lafayette after a VERY busy, exciting, and inspiring five weeks of travel.

As always, when I am on "vacation" (HA!) I am constantly shopping for client projects and looking for new artists.

There will be several posts on the artists whose work I discovered this Summer. For this first "teaser", I am featuring a couple of pieces by two artists who are represented in Seaside, FL, a gorgeous beach getaway.

The first two paintings are encaustics by Maralyn Wilson, a Birmingham, AL, artist who shows at Pizitz Home & Cottage (a fantastic shop where I picked up some items for clients) in Seaside. I absolutely love the easels (available through Pizitz) that are used to display Wilson's pieces.

The third and fourth images are of paintings by Dean Bentley, a Georgia artist who shows at 119 Quincy Circle (I also made great purchases for clients here) in Seaside.

Enjoy for now...detailed posts on these two fabulous artists as soon as I recuperate from my journey and get back in the swing of things!