Meet Mark Rosenbaum at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2012

I just got in from a shoot with Mark Rosenbaum at his Rosetree Blown Glass studio. Mark and his wife Brenda will be exhibiting and selling their studio's art glass at this year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
With the f and Google+ links below, please share with your friends this post about one of the coolest artists (in one of the hottest studios :) in the Big Easy.

One of this year's Jazz Fest creations honors the continuing legacy
of second line parades and Mardi Gras Indians.


(From my book, "Passionate New Orleans")
"Here’s what can happen in a Passionate Place™ when we are open to serendipity. Algiers Point is an enclave just across the Mississippi River from downtown New Orleans. A 10-minute (free for pedestrians) ferry ride from the base of Canal Street will drop you off in the village-like community. I had heard about this special place and went over to check it out. Just before leaving I happened to turn around and saw what I thought was a mirage - in a residential neighborhood an art glassblowing studio and gallery! Well, this was too interesting to pass up so I walked over and within minutes made yet another likely friend for life.

Mark Rosenbaum welcomed me to the studio and, before long, we were planning the day I would hang out with him and his wife, Brenda. Mark wasted no time in making some phone calls and planning a full day of sharing “their” New Orleans with me."

Use your mouse to "Walk Around Inside" Rosetree Gallery.

Virtual tour photography by JStephenYoung.com

Check out this video I shot recently and watch Mark transform a glob of molten glass into a work of art.


LOOK STUNNING and LOVE your photographer... see JStephenYoung.com.

Meet Kate Beck at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2012

Just over a year ago I was researching my book, "Passionate New Orleans" and was introduced to artist and designer, Kate Beck who has become a dear friend. From her historic Marigny neighborhood home and atelier, Kate fashions her distinctive handmade garments for a clientele from Seattle to Madrid and beyond. We had a lot of fun with Kate's friend Debbie during this photo shoot last week.

You can meet (and shop with) Kate while enjoying this year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
With the f and Google+ links below, please share the invitation with your friends - both women and men - who enjoy looking great while wearing original art handcrafted in New Orleans.

LOOK STUNNING and LOVE your photographer... see JStephenYoung.com.

Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival

The annual 5-day Tennessee Williams / New Orleans Literary Festival takes place in late March. Events are held in the French Quarter, "spiritual home" to Williams for many years and the setting of two of his major plays, "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Vieux Carré."
Festival attendees participate in writing workshops, panel discussions, documentary screenings, stage and jazz performances and other special events and parties.

Dr. Kenneth Holditch, Tennessee Williams scholar addresses walking tour attendees on the playwrite's New Orleans legacy.





Tennessee Williams Heritage Walking Tour


The Book Doctors, Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry shared
with festival attendees great advice on going from dream to publication.
Check them out at The Book Doctors

I Hear a Symphony and I See a Family

Yesterday, after working inside most of the weekend, I needed a change of scenery - new space and definitely new neighborhood. So I drove to the other side of town to hang out with my friends Joann and Lisa at Kajun's Pub on St. Claude (for the non-locals, it's St. Claude Avenue between the Quarter and the Lower Ninth - definitely one of the city's more colorful neighborhoods)
While circling the block to find a parking space I noticed that Kajun's was more festive than usual - and that's saying a lot. Moments later I walked in and was welcomed by Blues music, birthday balloons and the aroma of perfectly charbroiled oysters.
It didn't take me long to remember why I like this place so much. Joann and Lisa have (please pardon the cliché) created the neighborhood "Cheers" pub - a place where they truly know your name - and your favorite big boy drink - and who you went home with last night (even if his or her name alludes you at the moment)
And, if things get rowdy, as I'm told sometimes happens long after I've headed home, a member of the staff - often young, female, and delicate in appearance only - will literally bounce the offender out to the curb - and the party resumes without noticeable interruption.

Here's what happened:
After plenty of hugs, I was treated to a drink
Then came the offer of "so, would you rather have the ersters or the shrimp?" My reply - "yes, please." So much for thinking dinner was going to be the Clif Bar I had before heading over.
Guitar Lightning Lee and his friends hit the stage with three distinct styles of Blues.
And there was birthday cake for everyone.

I wound the evening down reconnecting with Lightning. (I don't say that every day :)
It's been a while since I shot his performance at the Ogden Museum and included the photos and videos in my book on the city.

Enjoy the clips and check out Kajun's. They're always open and next time they'll know your name.

2nd Saturday Art Walk - St. Claude Arts District

723 Louisa Street Digest










Antenna Gallery




Aquarium Gallery












Bon Castor










Christopher Porché West




Outside Maurepas Foods


Staple Goods



"Lit From Within"

Feel free to use any of the BeyondBourbon images and share using the f and Google+ links below.

LOOK STUNNING and LOVE your photographer... see JStephenYoung.com.

Art New Orleans Magazine Issue Release Party at Alex Beard Studio

Saturday night I didn't have to venture too far Beyond Bourbon to hang out with one of New Orleans' coolest artists and his friends. Art New Orleans Magazine hosted its Winter 2012 Issue Release Party at Alex Beard Studio, 712 Royal Street, just one block "Beyond Bourbon."

A few years ago I discovered the art of photographer and writer, Peter Hill Beard and was immediately captivated by his collage diaries documenting a long life of adventure and passion. Soon after moving to New Orleans I learned that Peter's nephew, artist Alex Beard and his family live and work in my new town.

In the Winter 2012 issue of Art New Orleans Magazine, writer Libby Allen noted "Beard came to New Orleans in 1994 when he was invited to spend a year at the city's prestigious Art Institute...
According to Alex, "The pace of life in New Orleans is conducive to creativity. You can really sink your teeth into a project and not be distracted by the daily rigors of just trying to get across town."

Read read more about Alex Beard in Art New Orleans Magazine here. (go to page 36) and visit his studio at 712 Royal Street, New Orleans.



Alex takes a break from working on a new painting.













Feel free to use any of the BeyondBourbon images and share using the f and Google+ links below.

LOOK STUNNING and LOVE your photographer... see JStephenYoung.com.

2nd Saturday Art Walk - St. Claude Arts District & New Orleans Photo Alliance

See and download ALL the above images here. "Original" is the largest, hi-res size.
Feel free to use the images on your own sites and recommend using the f and Google+ links below.

For STUNNING interiors and architecture images and a photographer YOU WILL LOVE, see JStephenYoung.com.

First Saturday Art Walk - Downtown & Magazine Street, New Orleans

My new friends (and my little assistant) at d.o.c.s. Gallery suggested I sit
in on this first photo of the evening.


































See and download ALL the above images and many more here. "Original" is the largest, hi-res size.
Feel free to use the images on your own sites and recommend using the f and Google+ links below.

For STUNNING interiors and architecture images and a photographer YOU WILL LOVE, see JStephenYoung.com.