That is the expressive art world of Dr. Bob and his crew. I talked to Mike, his friend and now co-worker, about how the business started, how long it had been going, and where they sell their art. It is a great story worth telling. It is a tale one of persistence, challenge, adversity, and success.
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| Dr. Bob, Folk Artist from google image |
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Mike, friend and co-worker of Dr. Bob
Photo by elizabeth gordon |
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| Dr. Bob's Studio and workshop photo by elizabeth gordon |
Both Bob and Mike are self taught with no formal art training. The men have been friends since middle school, 7th grade. They started drawing and hanging out together. Mike went on to own his own grocers business for many years and did well with it, then came hurricane Katrina. The hurricane devastated his business and it could not survive. So Mike turned to his old friend Bob, and joined Dr. Bob's art business.
The studio is more an open air two story open warehouse style studio. Art is stacked everywhere, bits of wood, bright colored spray paints, found objects, and funky playful objects hanging here and there. It is the studio of artist who think for themselves, who care little for the snobby art world of critics and New York Galleries...they are artists of the free spirit and independent thinkers. They like to put in words what you might like to say if you were a bit more brave or that assertive self of yours
came out for a visit.
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| Dr. Bob's Studio and Workshop photo by elizabeth gordon |
NO CATS SOLD HERE!
As I talked to Mike, Bob had gone up some stairs to a second floor. He and his large brown dog disappeared into an air-conditioned world for a while. I envied him, it was Louisiana hot and humid, sweat pouring and hair sticking hot. Mike was working on a collaged piece that had been stenciled, had a old found wood frame, and bottle caps nailed on...he was painting the words Home Sweet Home with neon colors. He said he like the work, and enjoyed being with his friend again. He seemed peaceful and pleased...a feeling that often comes with creativity. Next time I hope to talk to Dr. Bob and get to know that big brown art dog better. This is trip well worth taking and adding on to your list of New Orleans things to do. Buying original art is often not affordable for the average person, but Dr. Bob makes it affordable...so buy art, as he says...before the artist dies!
IT TAKES ALL KINDS!
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| Details of living room photo by elizabeth gordon |
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| Living Room Details photo by elizabeth gordon |
BUY ART BEFORE THE ARTIST DIES!
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| Funk Living Room of Dr. Bob photo by elizabeth gordon |
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| Found Objects Galore photo by elizabeth gordon |
BE NICE OR LEAVE!
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Bottle cap frame and colorful found object collage
photo by elizabeth gordon |
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