#O12ca15_Oil Painting of Andy J. Forest

This one-of-a kind original oil on canvas painting was begun by New Orleans artist Emilie Rhys in May 2015 of local musician Andy J. Forest, a mainstay on Frenchmen Street—performing with the Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, and often performing solo (as seen in this painting). It was completed in the summer of 2015, and appeared as the cover art of Mr. Forest's 2015 album "Word Shadows & Ghost Notes."

In 2023, the artist invited Mr. Forest back to completely repaint the portrait, retaining the pose but adding a lot of paint over the old image. Last to be added were the dreamy faces of late night music lovers.

The artwork is on a stretched linen canvas surfaced with layers of tissue paper providing a finely wrought visible texture, finished with a brushed/scraped/poured oil ground, applied and fully cured prior to beginning the actual image. Ms. Rhys has been prepping canvases in this unique manner for circa forty years, greatly contributing to the richness of the final artwork.

Mr. Forest will receive a cash commission from the sale of this artwork.