Gulf of Mexico Girl - an elegy for the people, the planet, the sea, the quandaries of modern life

Gulf of Mexico Girl - an elegy for the people, the planet, the sea, the quandaries of modern life
Originally uploaded by trudeau

She has been swimming in the gulf and has returned, spotted with petroleum, aware that there is no easy solution to the quandary faced by people in 2010.

She will drive home in an older SUV-type vehicle, using pretty hefty amounts of petrol. She will speak out against continued drilling and in favor of alternative sources of energy. At home she will go to the store on foot or bicycle, because she knows that will help a little bit.

Her memories of swimming in the gulf in a more innocent era have proven rancid. We were living in a bubble, denying the disturbing truths of modern consumption.

Barataria Bay / robert trudeau pen-and-ink 2010

Barataria Bay / robert trudeau pen-and-ink 2010
Originally uploaded by trudeau

The people of Barataria Bay are somewhat isolated denizens of a Gulf estuary that is, really, not that far from New Orleans.

Their tradition is that of the buccaneer Jean Lafitte. He organized a band of impoverished Creoles - French, Spanish, Italians, etc - to make money from the war between Spain and England. Lafiite, with his brother, Pierre, was a trader in slaves as well sundry goods which avoided the tax system.

So the people of Barataria Bay, vaguely outlaws and certainly not mainstream Americans, make their humble way of life as fisherman, guides, hunters, bar tenders, boat makers, and laborers. Until the next disaster arrives. Then, with some luck, they will make a few dollars serving the inquiring media.

Shreveport Means Business / Trudeau 2010

Shreveport Means Business / Trudeau 2010
Originally uploaded by trudeau

What is one implying with the guns, anyway?

Well, fella. It's like a blues tune. Fine young black woman. Several suitors. Jealousy. High, high blood pressure.

She can't say "No," can she? And where does that leave her fellows? Each one of whom possesses enough cash and confidence to swoop down and deposit a deep mess.

This one's about temptation, rationalization and miscommunication.

A Simple Wimple / Robert Trudeau 2010

A Simple Wimple
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Created for the next Bubble Rap show, A Simple Wimple is pure Carnival albeit without the usual godawful obviousities. No purplegreen&gold, no fleur de lis, no mask.

For those deeply invested in Carnival, the view might be that this person - let us call her Sheila the Slayer - represents Over the Topness, Transvestitism and Whimsic Contrariness.

Indeed.

Wicker and bassinets

Kawanaka lass is due in August!
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Madeline, my daughter, needed an invitation for a baby shower. Casting about for inspiration after one failed sketch, I cam across a photo on flickr entitled "Picot Hemmed Bind Off Swatches." From a distance the rectangles of textured fabric implied baby baskets to me.

Btw, there are already two wicker bassinets in Madeline and Lyosuke's apartment. One was saved by talbot from Jett's infancy and another was rescued by Madeline from a curbside de-acsession.

Haiti: the other peoples of the island

Haiti
Originally uploaded by trudeau

With all respect to the impoverished, I know that elegant people live in Haiti, too. Or they once did. Seen here: Garaille and Dinique.

Welcome to Shreveport, Dudes; green room grafitti at 516 Soundstage / Robert Trudeau 2010

Welcome to Shreveport; Robert Trudeau
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Graffitti on the dressing room wall at 516 Soundstage, Shreveport.

While waiting to perform with Tracy Chappell & Friends at the Dan Sanchez benefit.

Romulus Remus CD cover: Parachute Patty / Robert Trudeau 09

Parachute Patty / Robert Trudeau 09
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Nathan Woods is a musician and recording artist who has packaged one of set of his tunes into an album called Good Grief. As a group, as a recording unit, Woods works as Romulus Remus.

The first Romulus Remus album opens with a Beatlesque tune about a girl called Parachute Patty.

Thus this design for the Romulus Remus CD cover. Am in the process of tweaking and refining my vision of this image.

Parachute Patty 3

Parachute Patty 1 / Robert Trudeau 09
Originally uploaded by trudeau

A study for the Romulus Remus CD cover.