Day four and five was more education with Golden interspersed with amazing food. I was sorry to leave. I forged friendships with my fellow artists, ate some incredible food, learned about mediums, acrylics, oils and watercolors and was spoiled beyond imagination by the folks from Golden Paints. I could easily have stayed another week. It was fun to get away from the hustle and bustle and stress of my everyday life.
The morning was spent with Golden and then we had a free afternoon. I took a tour of Graveyard #1. This is the second oldest cemetery in New Orleans built in 1789
In New Orleans they can’t bury their deceased people as they are too close to the water table. They have above ground tombs. Once a person dies, they place them in a pine box inside and seal it up for a year and a day. The temperature reaches 300 degrees and it cooks the body. Once they open up the crypt they take the bones and the ash that is left and pulverise it before putting it back in a shaft in the back of the tomb.
Voodoo queen Marie Laveau is buried here and Actor Nicolas Cage also has a tomb here.
Tried another Beinyet and then back to the hotel for a show before dinner.
Golden Paints took us down the river on the Steamboat Natchez for dinner.
After dinner we listened to a Jazz band as we went down the Mississippi river.
This has been a really amazing experience.
We spent the morning playing with paints and then Lunch in the courtyard
Banana on top of the fish and it was delicious. Actually everything I ate in New Orleans except the oysters were delicious. I did not know that New Orleans was known for it’s food. but, I know it now.
Back to paint in the afternoon and then
Dinner was at Antoines – open since 1840 fine French-Creole dining & birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller. We also were in a private dining room. We got to sample all the appetizers on the menu.
desert was Baked Alaska which was flambéed at the table. Coffee was then added to the flaming alcohol and served in the cups below. P.S. I could not taste any coffee!!
Then a few of us went to the Hotel bar to listen to Jazz Music.
It was my birthday on the 14th which was the first day of the event. What a way to spend it. . . . . . playing with paint and mediums!!!
All the supplies we used were stretched along both walls of the room!
This was the box full of panels we needed to complete. There was also some canvas in the box.
A paint pouring that I did. Different than the way I had done it before (so much easier)
We had a fabulous lunch in the courtyard of the hotel and then wine and cheese at 3 pm in the afternoon.
Dinner was in a private dining room at Cafe Gallery at Loew’s Hotel
The food was delicious!!!
A great end to a fabulous birthday
The Hotel Mazarin is beautiful. An old building right in the French Quarter with lovely architecture.
I came in early so I checked my luggage and went for a walk. I stopped by Cafe Du Monde for a Beignet. Everyone said to come here. Stood in line for about ten minutes so not too bad. I also decided to try the Chicory Coffee which is also a New Orleans staple. Have to say I was not impressed, sorry everyone!!
Stopped into this lovely stationary store and bought a new wax seal and some metallic sealing wax
New Orleans has such beautiful buildings and the history/stories behind them are very interesting..
In the evening we had our first meal with my fellow artists and the folks from Golden. They gave us a goodie bag filled with fun New Orleans souvenirs as we shared cocktails and got to meet each other. I had my first oyster (tasted like dirt) but, the rest of the food was lovely.
I am headed to New Orleans, Louisiana with Golden Paints. I am attending a training event called GAEP. I am one of twenty people selected from around the world to be immersed in everything Golden for an entire week. They are putting us up in the Hotel Mazarin which is in the French Quarter. I have never been to New Orleans so it should be interesting.
I have admired Rae Missgman’s art for years. I met her for the first time a couple of years ago at the Faber Castell booth at the trade show. I was so delighted when she finally agreed to come teach at Everything Scrapbook & Stamps.
Rae taught two fun mixed media classes and I know everyone enjoyed them
Rae is so sweet and gifted me a handmade book and a lovely crocheted piece that can be work as a necklace, book wrap or bracelet. I wear it as a bracelet and adore it.
Hoping to meet up with Rae again soon. If you want to see more of her work click here!
So excited to be visiting New Orleans in a few days. I have never been and I will be there with other artists at a GOLDEN paint training session!!! Lucky me 