Dixie goes to Carnival - in New Orleans

Dixie at Carnival / Robert Trudeau 08
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Bandages as part of one's costume or mask is not an untoward idea, is it? Today Band Aids come in colors. They make this neat prickly sensation on your skin. Also, they're quick, eh?

The rest of Dixie is bastardized Maori. The raised facial tattoos. The flowing ink pattern tattoos make her look as though she's been in a wind tunnel air flow study.

The background expresses a musical vibe that comes from the soundscape of the entire Creole city.

Is that a perm?

Two books / Robert Trudeau 08

Two books / Robert Trudeau 08
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Notes from a series on couples. Having sketched it, I'm impressed by how I can be so sappy.

Still, I like the place where the noses overlap and the bizarre eyes and non-Rohrschach test and the unconsummated kiss.

The background doesn't really look like books, but that's good. Talbot said they looked like palapas, which is lovely. I like that the dif in facial coloration is the product only of the frequency of the horizontals.

Workshop time. Do another.

Ascha means "hope" and "life" in Hindi and Swahili

Ascha means "hope" and "life" in Hindi and Swahili
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Sketched as a gifty to Wendy Benscoter and Pam Atchison, managers of ShreveportBossierFunGuide.com, on the launch of the new web site.

Wendy and Pam have employed me as the arts guide editor, a territory that I relish. And they both sent gifties to me on opening day.

Merci!

Willie & Willie Mae Williams: based on Louisiana characters I've met in Shreveport

Willie & Willie Mae Williams
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Lot of style and character to local men and women of color. I'm trying to capture the independence of spirit as well as the sartorial sense.

Welcome to the Great Mosque of Djenne, Mali

Djenne
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Let's go to the continent of Africa, where clothing flows with graceful, billowing lines.

The bearded man in the foreground is holding a harp-like, gourd-based kora. We would imagine he's a griot.

It was not my intention to portray the people in the mid ground in a scuffle. They were supposed to be dancing. But, sh*t happens. Even outside a mosque, sometimes.

The mud and wood mosque of Djenne is a monument. The expanses of smooth, hard mud wall are studded by the protruding ends of the structure's wooden skeleton.

First sketch of 08, I do believe.

Sketch that led to Talbot's felt design for the Blanc et Noir Marching Society banner and coat emblem

B & N 1
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Hey, Blanc et Noir is parading on Sun, feb 3, 08, in the Krewe of Highland parade. You're welcome to join us.

Please see more at http://blancetnoirmarchingsociety.blogspot.com.

Burroughs in El Paso / 07

Burroughs / Robert Trudeau 07
Originally uploaded by trudeau

While Burroughs is associated with Paris, London, Mexico City, even Lawrence, Kansas (1981 - 1997), I was watching the movie about Johnny Cash when I sketched him and imagined Burroughs crossing paths with Cash in El Paso. Two dark birds on a wire.

le reve

le reve
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Spontaneous dreamscape before bed, thinking of how it might go in a sketch performance. Wondering what I'd produce. How to squeeze out the week's protribulations.

Zaraa zehr 02

Zaraa zehr 02
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Souvenir of a belly dance production by Rebecca Nesbitt Prosino at soundstage 516, downtown Shreveport. I performed as narrator and photog. Bevy of beauties and all that.

Happy holidays 07 from the staff of Trudeau Communications

Happyholidays 07
Originally uploaded by trudeau

A quick burst of pen work before bed to deliver some of the demons to the castle.

Actually, I was rehearsing, sort of, for doing a concert using a live pen atop a musical bed.