Saying Goodbye to Royal street and a look back at 'Revolt'.

We opened our first gallery space on Royal street as part of a collective with an antique dealer in the space behind us and a vintage store next to us in an old, falling apart house in the French Quarter in 2016 (Old houses and dilapidated things are just in our blood, but more about that later.) It was a second floor space but everything really felt right. It was just enough space and I went right to work creating the textured walls to backdrop our pieces.

Kevin hard at work. 2018

Kevin hard at work. 2018

The very first gallery 818 setup. 2016

The very first gallery 818 setup. 2016

One of our gallery shows. 2017

One of our gallery shows. 2017

Talking with school kids about my NOLA tricentennial piece ‘Rapsody’. 2018

Talking with school kids about my NOLA tricentennial piece ‘Rapsody’. 2018

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The delicate tin frames arrive in the gallery.

The delicate tin frames arrive in the gallery.

That one time we had our present and past employees over for lunch and forgot to take a photo till most of them had gone. 2016

That one time we had our present and past employees over for lunch and forgot to take a photo till most of them had gone. 2016

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Our first PhotoNoLa event ‘Revolt’ 2017.

Our first PhotoNoLa event ‘Revolt’ 2017.

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To be continued…

To be continued…

Making Our Handmade Frames

I have a love for all things wood and old beat up, time worn wood is my favorite. There is something about the history embedded in it. It tells its stories through its cracks, chips, and termite holes. The years that have gone by and the events they have silently witnessed are all there with it and I do my best to preserve every bit of it to enhance the narrative of Jose’ images.

My first set of custom large scale frames. 2017

My first set of custom large scale frames. 2017

The pressed tin taken from an old printing press on Frenchmen street became frames I hate to part with and the walls of our Jazz Fest booth for the last 4 years.

The pressed tin taken from an old printing press on Frenchmen street became frames I hate to part with and the walls of our Jazz Fest booth for the last 4 years.

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Jose making a mess in my chop shop.

Jose making a mess in my chop shop.

They all start as old boards someone threw out. As if their centenary status meant nothing. It’s dirty work but I enjoy the process.

They all start as old boards someone threw out. As if their centenary status meant nothing. It’s dirty work but I enjoy the process.

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Every year, except this one, my yard is turned into a frame shop. Here we are constructing our first Jazz Fest booth. 2016

Every year, except this one, my yard is turned into a frame shop. Here we are constructing our first Jazz Fest booth. 2016

The wood doesn’t burn itself! 2015

The wood doesn’t burn itself! 2015

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Gozepa, Festivals, Markets, and Independence

It all began with a stroll on Frenchman street in 2014. We entered the art market that Jose had been telling me about for over a year while I was living in New York and there it was. That market was amazing! The artist there were exceptionally creative, hip, and business savvy. It was exactly the place we needed in order to turn 10 years of Jose’ work into a sustainable future where we could finally be independent.

Gozepa, Our first day market setup at the Blues Festival. 2015

Gozepa, Our first day market setup at the Blues Festival. 2015

We had a lot to learn and many a late night but engaging directly with the public around our work was truly exciting. Gozepa at the Frenchmen Art market where it all began. 2014

We had a lot to learn and many a late night but engaging directly with the public around our work was truly exciting. Gozepa at the Frenchmen Art market where it all began. 2014

Me setting up the display as I almost always do. I can never really do it the exact same way twice. Every time feels different. 2017

Me setting up the display as I almost always do. I can never really do it the exact same way twice. Every time feels different. 2017

Aunt Cecelia doing her part helping out at Congo Square. 2017

Aunt Cecelia doing her part helping out at Congo Square. 2017

Blues and BBQ festival 2018

Blues and BBQ festival 2018

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Blues and BBQ 2017

Blues and BBQ 2017

Gozepa Frenchman Art market 2017

Gozepa Frenchman Art market 2017

Jose and Lil Freddie King

Jose and Lil Freddie King

Jose and Merlene Gold Digger Babydoll

Jose and Merlene Gold Digger Babydoll

Gozepa at Bayou Boogaloo 2018

Gozepa at Bayou Boogaloo 2018

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Gozepa at Palmer”s Art Market 2019

Gozepa at Palmer”s Art Market 2019

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Our Jazz Fest booth 2019.

Our Jazz Fest booth 2019.