New Orleans Art Inner Journey

There was so much art to be seen in this historic city. The art forms range from street art, landscapes, culture, buildings, native people, and events. I got to see and visit many different art galleries. The art used was so different in every gallery. There was textured paintings, watercolors, sculptures, paper mache, and photography. The one art gallery that stuck out the most too me was Michalopoulos art gallery. This was a gallery that me and my friends had just walked upon in our free time as we were exploring the streets of New Orleans. This one stuck out the most to me because this artist was one that I had done some research on prior to leaving for trip and that I was personally interested in. I think it was fate for us to just walk right into it when we weren't looking for it. Michalopoulos paintings are very abstract and show a lot of depth in them. He incorporates the swaying look in his paintings and giving that abstract feel. I get lost viewing his paintings and my imagination kicks in to where I put myself in the photo. He does a lot of paintings of buildings and architecture in New Orleans. His paintings use very vibrant colors and feature exaggerated viewpoints and perspectives. A lot of his paintings are looking up at a building or show a whole street from the closest building the the farthest. He really depicts the depth and makes it feel very real. I find his work very intriguing and art that I would love to put up in remembrance of New orleans in my own house if I had the budget to afford it.

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New Orleans Art Outer Journey

Walking down the gorgeous street of Bienville, a bright red sign catches my eye. The sun hitting the bright red almost hurts your eyes to look at. The red sign says Michalopoulos. A famous New Orleans artist who I was very intrigued to see. The bright sun is gleaming into the clear wide windows, showcasing the artsy inside of the small gallery. Walking through the rustic wood doorway, my eyes get swooped away by vibrant colors standing out off the white wooden walls. The walls are filled with such distinct paintings that give the feel that you are swaying sideways with the paintings. People are drawn into the creativity of all the art standing out in the small room. Strangers faces light up with amusement and happiness while being captivated by the beauty in such art. The large square windows are wide open, letting the sun beams and warmth into the gallery. I become lost in this specific scene of an old historic house in the cool night. The captivating moon above the house gives off the beauty and mystery of the night sky. The curved sidewalk around the house gives the painting such depth. The brush strokes and color usage in the painting creates a confused feeling that makes it more real and authentic. I get lost in this painting, pretending that I am sitting on the long white balcony, looking out at the sunset and the strangers walking the streets of New Orleans. 

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The Golden Lantern Outer Journey

One music and art performance that I got to experience was a drag show. Upon entering the Golden Lantern in the evening, it was cavernous and dark. The room was lined with colorful characters. Immediately to the left there has a small, square stage with brightly colored lights. I was standing on the cold hard floor, in the small crowded bar with my friends jamming out to the opener of the show and dancing, awaiting this new experience. I look around at all the different types of people in there ranging from young, old, men, women, dressed up, casual, straight and gay. There are smiles on everyone’s face and I hear laughter. The rumbling of the bass was vibrating the floor and my feet. The opener was strumming his guitar, singing songs that everyone could sing along to. In between songs he would keep the crowd entertained with funny jokes and antidotes. Everyone was laughing away with their friends, patiently waiting for the queens to come out. The opener finished his set and announced the queens will be on shortly and everyone waited in anticipation for the beautiful dressed men to entertain them. Suddenly the lights dimmed and a song comes on, the bright spotlight shines on the vibrantly dressed queen while she struts onto the stage. The first words out of her mouth aren’t really words. She is lip singing and shaking her hips. The crowd sings and screams and starts throwing fists full of dollars. The show has begun and I can hardly contain my excitement.

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Jazz music Inner Journey

New Orleans is known for their Jazz music. I have heard a lot of different music being played in the city. From jazz musicians playing out on the streets to jazz bands. I have seen children tap dancing with tambourines or bells on their feet. I have heard a lot of different singers as well. Some have been on the street, playing for money and some I have heard in clubs. One band that I thoroughly enjoyed was at a small bar on Bourbon street that we came upon one night. The band was two piano players that both sang, and one drummer. I thought they were wonderful musicians and there sound was beautiful. They played all sorts of different music, from oldies rock and blues to newer pop artists. They did not sing their own original music, but played others. Another one of my favorites was this one band of women, men, and children that were on the street. They had the clarinet, trumpet and drums going and sang naturally. They played real authentic jazz music. I was thoroughly impressed. So many people had stopped to listen to their music and give them money. I admired their passion and musical abilities. They were selling their original cd’s as well. I loved getting the opportunity to hear them and appreciate their art form. I find it amazing that there are so many different musicians willing to spend their time doing what they love performing for people to enjoy and have fun listening to. I love watching performers do what they love but you can tell how passionate they are about it and how much they really enjoy expressing their art form.

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Goodbye New Orleans Outer Journey

The smell of the fresh soft, crisped Beignets made Cafe du Monde one of my favorite places to go in New Orleans.  The beautiful scenery from sitting outside under the green tent of the building, made the experience very pleasant. Being able to enjoy my tasty, bold warm coffee and feel the cool breeze hit my face was very comforting. The warm sunshine warming your body in the cool morning is perfect. Looking over across the street is the beautiful historic Jackson Square, which houses the Andrew Jackson statue, the Cathedral, Cabildo, and the Presbyter. The dark green, fresh bushes and trees surrounding the square and the sun glistening off of the statue is jaw droppingly gorgeous. Right in front of you, on the edge of the street is local jazz musicians playing music all day. You can hear the trumpets buzzing, the clarinets high pitched squeal, and the voices of people singing chanting songs. A whole jazz musical performance happens right in front of you while you enjoy a delicious beignet. The warm crisp beignets melt in your mouth with each bite, and the powdered sugar sticks to the roof of your mouth and melts away down your throat. Sipping on a hot coffee made with chicory. It adds this bolder flavor to the coffee. Eating there delicious beignets with a wonderful coffee, in a beautiful scenery makes it a perfect relaxing place to go and must visit Café in New Orleans.

Photo by Stephanie Jones

Goodbye New Orleans Inner Journey

My favorite part of the class was getting to experience with blogging my experiences. I really enjoy being able to express my daily adventures, thoughts and feelings. I liked getting the practice in writing better and using more descriptive words. I enjoyed being able to share my blog with my friends and family and them getting to follow along with that I was doing and viewing my perspectives on everything. Blogging was my favorite because I got to express my thoughts and It is a great remembrance I can keep of my experience of the city. My favorite part of the trip was getting to try new cultural foods and expanding my taste buds. I was thoroughly surprised at how delicious the foods were. I was kind of concerned about trying some of the foods such as oysters, alligator, and turtle soup. I ended up liking the flavors of most of the foods. I realize it is more of a mind thing for me not eating these foods before, rather than the actual flavors of the food. I learned that I very much enjoy real people’s art and getting to explore a new area. I loved learning about the history of Pharmaceuticals in the 19th century. I learned that the people of New Orleans are very open, loud, and expressive. There is so much personal expression and music everywhere. There is also a lot of homeless people on the streets, which I am not personally used to seeing very much because I grew up and live in a small town. I learned that I am horrible with directions, especially in a new place. It took me until about the last day to really learn the roads and which way was back to the hotel. I learned that I am not good at traveling far. I definitely have a hard time getting adjusted to a new scenery and the whole traveling on a train as well. 

Michalopoulos Outer Journey

Viewing all the artistically different art galleries was  my favorite. Each had beauty and style of their own. Walking down the street, this bright red sign glistening from the sun and vibrant abstract paintings in the large square windows of this one particular art gallery jumped out at me. The red sign hanging high at the top of the rustic old, white wood door said Michalopoulos. A huge smile appeared on my face as I realized that this is the gallery of one of the famous painters I researched about. Walking into the gallery, through the big white doors, so many vibrant colors popping out from the solid white walls. People are lost in their imagination while staring into the paintings. Strangers faces are being taken into the beauty of art. I am drawn in to this one specific painting at first. The vibrant yellow paint catches me eyes. I examine the painting with its rough paint strokes adding in texture to it. I am blown away with how beautiful this painting is to me. The yellow painting of an old building in New Orleans on the street corner, drew my eyes into it. The abstract brush strokes of the extended street create such depth that made me feel like I am standing on the street corner. The yellow paint surrounding the light post brings real light into the painting. The different coloring used in the street and sidewalks brings abstract into the painting and gives you the feel of a bumpy sidewalk. I absolutely adored this painting. 

 
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