Walking Uptown one night, I came across a Mary statue, which we see all around the city, all around the south. I wondered about her particular journey as Mardi Gras Mary, as she was painted purple, green, and gold. This is a clever mashup, considering the true roots of Mardi Gras, a catholic holiday, and Mother Mary. I feel a deep connection to her; Growing up in a Catholic household, I was exposed to the teachings and stories of the faith, even though I don't consider myself particularly religious in my current life. It isn't necessarily her religious significance that captures my admiration, but rather her spiritual and feminine energy. Her love and maternal presence serve as a universal symbol of nurturing care. Mardi Gras, a celebration that, beneath its vibrant festivities, carries themes of transformation, renewal, and community. This is why I have chosen to paint and depict her repetitively in my work, as well as other femininely depicted angels of our city's cemeteries. Mother Mary embodies purity, kindness, and compassion that transcend religious boundaries. This particular Mardi Gras Mary in front of someone's home, with the purple-green-and-gold-Fat-Tuesday-paint made me love her even more, because I pictured her maybe sharing in a night of Mardi Gras debauchery with my friends and me. Though we know the true catholic roots of Mardi Gras, we also know what it has morphed into over the years. A GOOD OL' TIME. Afterall, no one is truly perfect. we are all human. Though not available here or through my personal website, you can view and purchase this piece at Restaurant Des Familles on Barataria in Crown Point, La.
Artist + Hayley Roussel
Follow this artistI consider myself a contemporary artist. I am currently residing and creating in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana. I was born in 1994 and raised in St. Charles Parish, where I was fortunate to be part of the Talented Art program from Elementary school until my graduation from Destrehan High School in 2012. Following my passion, I pursued a BFA degree at LSU in Baton Rouge, specializing in studio art with a focus on painting and drawing and graduating in 2017. My art teachers and Professors have all proved to be strong influences on me.
Supporting the arts, particularly public art and street art, holds a special place in my heart, and I have collaborated with numerous organizations, including New Orleans's Downtown Development District. In 2021, I joined forces with them to create two murals on Royal Street as part of their vacant storefront program. In 2023, I was a part of NOLA Artist Incubator's 2023 Art in the Park cohort and collaborated with the Paul Mailliard business and arts initiative in my home parish, as well as selling art in the first ever 'Artist Village' at Gretna Fest, aiming to infuse more artistic energy into all of the communities I feel connected to. In 2024, I painted a Piano for New Orlean's sector of the 'Sing for Hope' non-profit.
Live Painting events have also been a thrilling part of my artistic journey in and around New Orleans, with one notable highlight being the international 'Art Battle.' I proudly identify as an 'emerging artist,' from being a practiced painter and muralist to a self-published poet. I also run an online art shop and take on commissioned painting projects. My current focus is on crafting whimsical acrylic paintings in my cozy Bayou St. John home studio, and you can also find my work available here, through Where y'Art Works and at Revival Art House in Ponchatoula, among a few other pop-up markets and businesses.
My most recent and ever-evolving series is a celebration of the enchanting streetscapes, architecture, gardens, and countless distinctive elements that define New Orleans, Louisiana, and the South as a whole. This series delves into the heart of everything, from iconic shotgun houses and serene cemeteries to the ornate porches, majestic mausoleums, and sacred religious statues that grace our city. I also draw inspiration from other unique NOLA features, including Mardi Gras floats, the vibrant hues of houses, and the native flora that adds a touch of magic to our surroundings. In this series, I play with color, saturating it to new heights, especially embracing my favorite blues and greens. I also love to abstract and merge different New Orleans and Louisiana locations, all in a quest to capture the true essence and soul of the extraordinary place(s) we proudly call home.
NEW ORLEANS
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