I use acrylic and other water media on paper and canvas, in an abstract figurative style.  
​
My creative expression uses layers of metaphor and symbolism to stimulate curiosity, provoke thought, and encourage further inspection. I often uses bold, clear, sometimes bright colors and themes are usually joyful in nature.

I've studied fine art at the University of Louisiana, Louisiana Technical School Adult Art Extension program, and many master workshops.

I begin by thanking our out-going President, Terry Palmer, for his many contributions to the LAA. His work with the LAA these past 2 years has kept us running and operating during these unprecedented times. I would also like to thank you, the LAA membership, for placing your confidence and trust in me to serve as your President.

For the past 2 years I have served as First Vice President, and I am ready to accept this honor in becoming president to continue our wonderful LAA history and build upon it. My main goal this year is to encourage the membership to become more involved. I would like the members to feel like this is their organization.

​For those of you who are already leaders, to reach out and encourage and mentor those who have a passion to move forward. I want to be someone who listens and inspires for all to create! And, together with the strong support of the new Vice Presidents, Margo Baker and Edward deMahy, we all will strive to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Your President of your LAA, Dusty Reed [email protected] 

Haiku poem by Guy Kilchrist

​As I jot down these few words for my fellow LAA members, I’m enjoying the hard hitting beats and prophetic lyrics of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Tom died too early with a lot more to say in his melodious way, but, he leaves us with his art for the ears. I’m sure that each one of his music creations is inspired by an event, an event that led to an emotional response of ear art. So here we are in September with emotions flaring from all sides and from a variety of events. From COVID to Hurricane Ida, we’ve run the obstacle course of emotional hurdles. It’s tiring, isn’t it? There is an oasis, a beacon of light out there to help take your mind off the turmoil. It’s your Lafayette Art Association. Join in the activities, go see what’s happening and participate in the exhibits. Your emotional flow will become positive.

The Eye of the Beholder exhibit is ending soon 9/18. If you haven’t seen this exhibit, it’s an exceptional show with sales of several pieces. With the end of this show, there’s the start of another - The LAA Fall Members Only Exhibit. Eye participants will need to remove their work during normal gallery hours, 9/22-10/2. Submissions for our fall show are also during this period. So, pick-up and drop off at the same time.

​Get your creativity flowing and pARTicipate! We’d love to see you and your work.

Terry L Palmer LAA President

Art requires a willingness to learn and to experiment. I started out exploring art through ceramics. Then came basketry followed by experimentation in 2D art through encaustic mono-print making.  As each medium was explored, varied and creative work was produced.  

The production of artistic work for me involves research and workshop attendance where learning and experimentation is encouraged. A recent workshop I attended exposed me to printmaking with acrylic paint on a Gelli plate. 

Happily, “Water” was a product of that workshop.  

Susan Chiquelin

As a student I was interested in many subjects: art, anthropology, psychology, biology but the urge to create led to a Painting and Commercial Art Degree at Mississippi State University. To make a living, I have worked as a graphic designer/ illustrator for various businesses and environmental agencies over the years. It was working with environmental scientists that kindled my interest in the natural world. Birds, fish, leaves, trees, and animals often inhabit my work. 

​Through the Acadiana Center for the Arts I also work in public schools as a teaching artist. I am adept at using computer programs, such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign as well as traditional media like ink, paper and watercolor.

Diane Baker
​[email protected]

​​To form a clay piece, I begin by throwing the clay on a wheel forming an urn or bowl or rolling slabs out for tiles. I then sculpt my nature inspired scene on each piece. After air drying the pieces are bisque fired. I may add a glaze to the piece or high fire it “au naturel” since I prefer the finished pieces to reflect the natural clay coloring.
 

Bruci Gauthier
St. Martinville, LA
[email protected]

My work is involved with the spirituality of art. In the similarities between the creative experience and the meditative experience and the affects it has on my work. Striving to be in the NOW. Working with methods that diminish my authority during the creative act, relegating my influence, relinquishing my control.

I am a multi-talented artist with professional work in the Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Theater. At an early age I realized that the common thread in all of the arts, along with the fundamentals of design, is the creative experience. And the key to the creative experience is the dissolution of self-consciousness. Creating art is more about the act than it is making the product.

My Process: "Pre-Decide not to Pre-Decide"
I developed my personal approach to "art-making" while working on my Master's Thesis in the '70's. Through the years, I still maintain the validity of my original thesis, but arrived at certain realization along the way. I have become aware of some rationalizations I made in terms of how much control one could actually relinquish. I have come to realize that, although I can strive to minimize any efforts to control the final outcome, making design decisions is unavoidable. By striving to be present, acting within the process with little to no mental dialogue/conscious decision-making, relying on a well of knowledge and experiences deep within me, the decisions that are made are made despite me.  That, of course, is an ideal situation to aspire to.

​Edward DeMahy

We just spent 2.5 weeks packing up and then moving our son and his family to Wyoming. Thought we were leaving the hot temperatures behind, but of course, they were having a heat wave! And, since it’s usually cool, no A/C. This week we’ll be packing and moving my 96 year old mom to Lafayette. At least there will be A/C! And speaking of no time for being bored, Simone found this interesting article about the benefits of boredom!

CREATIVITY Research Suggests We're All Getting Less Creative and Scientists Think They Know Why BY JESSICA STILLMAN

"A researcher at the University of William and Mary analyzed 300,000 Torrance Test scores since the '50s. She found that creativity scores began to nosedive in 1990. She concluded that we're now facing a 'creativity crisis,'" reported author Michael Easter on Medium recently. That sounds alarming, but the good news is that, unlike the decline in IQ scores, scientists have a pretty good guess what's causing our collective creativity to tank. Scientists blame "our hurried, over-scheduled lives" and "ever increasing amounts of (time) interacting with electronic entertainment devices," Easter explains. In short, we're too busy and entertained for creativity to blossom.

Gone are the days where childhood was largely spent in unsupervised rambles and imaginary play. And we're generally just as overscheduled and overstimulated as adults. Many folks in the middle of midlife pandemonium struggle to find time to keep up with their email and brush their teeth, more or less putter and ponder. Which is just what creativity demands. Science shows that boredom actually increases creativity, as do activities like long walks (and showers) that demand just enough attention to allow our minds to wander. Einstein understood this. That's why he spent hours floating on his sailboat letting his mind gestate the brilliant ideas that revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.

​The good news is that just as scientists are clear about the cause of our "creativity crisis," they are clear on what individuals can do to reclaim their natural inventiveness. Actively scheduling time to think, reflect, and experiment into your days, putting reasonable boundaries on your use of passive tech), varying your routine and your company, and getting out for more long walks can all help ensure you’re bucking the trend and nurturing your personal creativity.

“I’m a big believer in boredom. Boredom allows one to indulge in curiosity, and out of curiosity comes everything.” Steve Jobs

“Being bored is a precious thing, a state of mind we should pursue. Once boredom sets in, our minds begin to wander, looking for something exciting, something interesting to land on. And that’s where creativity arises.” Peter Bregman

“Boredom is your window… Once this window opens, don’t try to shut it; on the contrary, throw it wide open.” Joseph Brodsky

“Creativity is the residue of time wasted.” Albert Einstein

The trouble is we live in an age in which we never give ourselves the chance to be bored. All the entertainment we can dream of is at our fingertips. It’s time for us all to recognize boredom as a delicacy.

Pamper yourself this summer with a little boredom...your creative side will thank you.

Terry L Palmer LAA President

Wow!
Writing this message from the president sure comes around way to soon - but, I do have some important information for you.

I can never say enough about the great work our officers, board and volunteers have done and are doing. All are working hard to make your Lafayette Art Association a success. And it’s working. Sales from the gallery, gift shop and studios have all risen over the last year, despite COVID. Keep up the good work! And, I can never say this enough also - I love being associated with this organization and all of the people who are a part of it and keep the arts going for our community!

So, now I’m reaching out to our members. Get your art on! We soon have a new exhibit coming: The Eye Of The Beholder. This is an open 2-D and 3-D competition. This means you can invite your non-member artist friends to enter as well. There is a small entry fee for both members and nom members, but you’ll be competing for monetary prizes as well as ribbons. The Eye Of The Beholder is only our second monetary award show since we started this procedure. The first was a success and we’re hoping this will be even a bigger success. Besides incentive for the artists, it raises operational funds for the LAA. I’m happy to say, we have a couple of outstanding judges this year whose names I’m not allowed to divulge.

Here’s some information for Eye Of The Beholder that I can share with you: Chair person: Susan Chiquelin. For questions, email Susan: [email protected] Submission dates: July 14-7/17 and July 21-July 24 (As another reminder, these are also the pick up dates for any work you may have had in the Spring and Summer Members Exhibit) Show dates: July 28 to September 18 Awards Reception: August 8th from 4-6pm

Prior to entry, please read our revised General Competition Submission Rules and Information. The rules and an Eye of the Beholder 2021 Submission Form can be found at www.lafayetteart.org/submissionrules.html where you can download a pdf to read or read online (go to www.lafayetteart.org, click on About LAA, scroll down to Rules/Competitions and click on Submission Rules).

I really hope to see a lot of you entering. I know there’s a lot of creative work out there! Have a great, artistic month.

​Terry L Palmer LAA President

Bond Memory Fulfilled Papa’s Love
  
Time has covered you but not my memory of you.
You grew up in a palmetto shack, common, illiterate, with French as a first language. Abuse away of life.
   Time has covered  abuse with love. Your love, Papa. Your love of mama and us changed all for you and us. Your love got the house on land and the big boat. All you had was a pirogue and a “fish cart.” and you grew it big. 
   Time has covered all that you built but not what you taught us. Respect for all no mater the color of their skin. “Until you walk in their moccasins, you don’t know.” You always said.
   Time has covered it all but not your gene-pool. Your grandchildren stands on your shoulders papa… I ran from the killing; not from you .I ran from the wet piercing cold; the blood smell, not from you. I ran to fulfill the Dream-pool, not from you. Death its’ self has not and never will break our bond.
 
In loving memory of Julian Justin Sons Sr.
 
Barry Sons
 

Bond To A Memory 

Time has covered you but not my memory of you. 
I ran from the killing; not from you.
I ran from the wet piercing cold; the blood smell, not from you. 
Death its’ self has not and never will break our bond.

​Barry Sons  2017  

Papa’s Church
 
He seldom attended church.
Oh! how terrible you say,
But as a child there was no Church for him to go to pray.
But he found the Lord.
How you say?
I think I know his secret way.
 
He seldom attended church
How terrible you say.
But I’ve seen the church where He found his way.
 
The floor is of water, slick as glass.
The walls were covered in tall Pea grass.
The back of the church was Umbrellaed in oaks.
A church more fitting for common Folk.
His God, my God dwelt with him there,
His voice in the breeze of the fresh north air.
I shared this joy with him once,
My Papa the sinner; loved God a bunch.
 
Barry Sons
Sept.18, 1978

I am (also) a painter, writer, and poet. I became aware of the situation in Louisiana after seeing my basin, having been gone for 37 years. What I saw east of the Atchafalaya was desecration--oak trees standing dead in the water, where once was dry land. Gashes of canals cut across once beautiful winding bayous. Hackberry bayou should have been a river by now, but because of the rerouting of the water it is silting up. What a mess we have made! I felt desperate to help.  Who knew what a catastrophe a levee could cause.

I had to do something. I had to paint this wonderful gift of nature before it becomes beach-front property.  After finding out that for my basin there was hope, I knew I could not sit still on this issue.
    
I used to read a story to my children called 'The Giving Tree' by Shel Silverstein. I don’t know if you are familiar with the story, but the tree gives up everything until there is nothing left but the stump. I fear my Louisiana, my dream state, is that giving tree.
 
So what could I do? How could I make a difference? I could only paint what was left of Eden. And as I would paint, the voice in the deepest part of me said, “Write.” And the poems as simple as they are came. The stories as simple as they are came. I poured my passion onto the canvas. I did not intend to make an issue. I only knew I had to do
something.
 
For twelve years I have worked to bring this work to fruition and here it is (www.barrysonsart.com) - a drop in the Gulf, but it’s my drop. One drop does not make a river flow the way it should, but one drop by many people possibly could. If enough of us stay conscious, holding together like the roots of the marsh to do what we can, perhaps the Mississippi silt will work for us again.

​My hope is that some day, my grandchildren can stand with their grand children (toes shoved into the blue-green clay of the riverbank) and show them the wonder-filled South-Louisiana that was my back yard.

​Barry Sons
 
[email protected]
www.barrysonsart.com

Barry Sons
[email protected]
www.barrysonsart.com

Whether it be a person or a place, a moment or a day, a dream or an awakening, I strive to translate the experience into something for others to see. I use paper as well as metal for support medium and apply bold use of color and confident strokes that are quick and unguarded. 

I began making art at the age of seven. As a child I was the day-dreaming doodler. I then received formal art education at the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

I have enjoyed teaching for over 25 years in both classroom and private settings. I’ve facilitated large public art projects for children and written the grants to fund those projects.

​email: [email protected]