Sold in 2024: #O40ca12

This one-of-a-kind original oil painting was created by New Orleans artist Emilie Rhys over several years, beginning in 2014 in her French Quarter art studio, and completed there in 2023. The composition is based upon photos the artist took of the Roots of Music marching band making their way down Burgundy Street in the French Quarter on November 3,  2012.

Roots of Music is an afterschool music and mentoring program that provides local youth with not only the opportunity to learn an instrument and how to play in a marching band, but they also receive tutoring, a hot meal, and transportation to and from the program. The artist has had a contract with Roots since 2014, permitting her to create artworks with images of the kids, and in exchange she pays Roots a cash commission from the sale of art in which they are depicted.

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 over forty years, greatly contributing to the richness of the final artwork. The sale included a custom wood frame, 27" x 39" with an antique silver finish.

The Roots of Music will receive a cash commission from the sale of this artwork in which they are depicted.