My local friends will recognize this title. “Off the Wall” is the annual fundraiser for one of Monroe, Louisiana’s treasures: The Masur Museum. Not many cities this size can boast of their own fine art museum.

“Off the Wall” is this weekend and I have donated three pieces to the virtual art auction. Bidding opened at 9 a.m. today and closes at 5 p.m. Sunday, August 1. Go here to see the artworks and place your bid.

I chose to offer three pieces with a local flavor. Louisville Avenue Bridge was shot from my kayak while I was participating in my first ever kayak race, the River Rat Challenge. I finished almost last. No surprise there, but in my defense, I did pause to make photos all along the 6-mile route. But it was fun and I really enjoyed things like this bridge from an unfamiliar perspective. It was a welcome sight because it meant I was nearing the finish line!

Not quite so local, but still Louisiana! Nana Baruku is my name for the massive, ancient cypress tree that so captured my imagination on my first visit to Lake Martin, near Breaux Bridge. I was in a flat-bottom swamp tour boat when we emerged from cypress trees bordering the lake, turned and beheld this giant directly in front of us.

Later, as I worked on this image on my computer, the tree whispered, “spirit of the swamp” to me. I went searching online and found Nana Baruku, a wise old crone of the Yoruba religious tradition who likes to hang around swamps. Perfect, I thought!

I’ve always wondered what was blooming in the roadsides and fields to inspire folks to name a town “Mer Rouge.” Red clover, perhaps? But I don’t think I need to explain what inspired me to call this image “Mer Blanc.” Apt, don’t you think? I especially love the cotton-puff echoes in the sky! This shot began somewhere down between Winnsboro and Sicily Island where a farm access road enabled me to pull off the highway and get into the field for this view.

So… you have until 5 p.m. Sunday to pick up one of these “gems.” 🙂 All three are framed archival pigment prints, signed and numbered limited editions. If they sell, the Masur gets half and I get half of the final bid.

Happy browsing!