TroysArt

Galveston Gung Ho

: Destinations: Written by Troy Broussard : 03-28-2015

Someone once said about Galveston that if you just lower your expectations you won’t be disappointed. Well, I think that is a little harsh. I happen to adore the island, one might even say that I am gung ho. I even had my own get-away there a few years back—but one shouldn’t have to lower expectations, rather just know what to expect. In my work I meet new transplants to Houston on a daily basis. I like to tell them about the museums, the restaurants, and “to do” list ideas. But when Galveston comes up they all seem to have the …continue reading

Photo Friday: Munsterman

: Photo Friday: Written by Troy Broussard : 03-27-2015

The old Munsterman Farm, Iatan, Missouri, by Kevin Munsterman

Today’s feature photo, the old Munsterman Farm in Iatan, Missouri, comes from artist Kevin Munsterman–aka Mevin Kunsterman. Though Munsterman is primarily known for his innovative contemporary paintings, I have come to realize that he’s also quite the photographer. Of today’s pic the artist says that it is the four room house where his grandparents, Ada and John, raised five children (Tommy, Bubby George, John, Newton, and Carol). “This was such a vibrant place to visit,” Munsterman says. “Grandpa John would sit in the porch swing and roll his own cigarettes. Grandma Ada would be cooking in the kitchen, planting flowers, …continue reading

The Great Gaido’s Debacle of 2015; the art of serving fancy fish…

: Destinations, Food & Beverage: Written by Troy Broussard : 03-26-2015

Oysters on the Half Shell at Gaido's, Galveston

I remember going to Galveston when we were kids and of course my parents took us to Gaido’s. We were fascinated by the gargantuan crab on the roof with a placard “Caught in Galveston Bay”, debating whether or not it was real. It usually took about an hour to get a table but there was a gift shop to peruse and cases of cut crystal to view while waiting. And once seated that piping hot oval dish of Crab au Gratin made everything right in the world. Gaido’s is synonymous with seafood in Galveston. In 1911 San Giacinto Gaido opened the famous fresh fish house. Still family owned …continue reading

Photo Friday: Roxanne LeGros Lasage

: Photo Friday: Written by Troy Broussard : 03-20-2015

Mallard Drake by Roxanne LeGros Lasage, Jennings, LA

Some people have no intention of creating art when they’re out and about, enjoying their day. That is one of the great things about a feature photograph on Friday–it often celebrates the unintended artist. Today’s Photo Friday pic is by Jennings native Roxanne LeGros Lasage. Taken this week at the Jennings 1-10 Park, Roxi says of her inspiration, “The sun was shining on that duck’s beautiful green head.” Thanks for the photo, Roxi!

Dog on Monday: Addie

: Dog on Mondays: Written by Troy Broussard : 03-09-2015

Addie is a 4-year-old English Springer Spaniel

Today’s Dog on Monday is an English Springer Spaniel named Addie. Addie will be 4 years-old on May 27th. She’s an active dog who likes to run but she also loves to sleep as much as possible. Addie’s person is Jenah Darbonne of Jennings, Louisiana. Addie has beautiful field-bred Springer markings–covered head-to-toe with ticking or freckles. She also has a full thick coat of fur which Jenah keeps in check with frequent grooming, as evidence by the pic above. What else makes Addie so special? She’s not only a sweet and beautiful dog, she’s also Delta Dawn‘s mother! Thanks to …continue reading

John Singer Sargent painted her Strapless

: Artists, Literature: Written by Troy Broussard : 03-04-2015

Unfinished version of Madame X by John Singer Sargent [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

What does it take to scandalize someone today? Kim Kardashian has her big ugly ass plastered across magazine covers; every Hollywood starlet trying to stay relevant promotes a sex tape; Bill Clinton had sex with an intern in the Oval Office; but for a 23 year-old socialite in 1884 Paris all it took was for John Singer Sargent to paint her Strapless! Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau was the “it girl” of Paris during the late 19th Century. A wealthy Creole from Louisiana, she was considered one of the most elegant and beautiful women in France; a celebrated personality, she powdered her …continue reading

The Best Friends Brunch, Delta Dawn’s big day!

: Lifestyle, TroysArt: Written by Troy Broussard : 02-27-2015

Most English Springer Spaniels are at home running through a grassy meadow or trudging through the marsh. But after Delta Dawn‘s big day at the aniMeals Best Friends Brunch I realize that her ideal habitat is a luxury hotel. I wrote a post a month back about the aniMeals Best Friends Brunch (Kick-off party for Best Friends Brunch – TroysArt.com). The Best Friends Brunch benefited aniMeals on Wheels, a division of Interfaith Ministries Meals on Wheels program. I found out about the charity through my friends, sisters Kristy Phillips and Wendy Phillips who, with Teena Davis, served as brunch co-chairs. The program was …continue reading

The Rubens are Spectacular in Houston

: Artists, Galleries & Museums: Written by Troy Broussard : 02-19-2015

Given 100 people picked at random, I would venture to guess that you’d be lucky to find one who could identify a painting by Peter Paul Rubens. But I would also venture to guess that a good number of those would indeed recognize the name of Rubens as an important artist. We on the Gulf Coast now have an opportunity to brush up on our Baroque because the Rubens are spectacular at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Sir Peter Paul Rubens (June 28, 1577 – May 30, 1640) was a Flemish painter known for his extravagant Baroque style. Most of …continue reading

Artist Amos Kennedy—you never know where he might pop-up

: Artists: Written by Troy Broussard : 02-12-2015

I received a notice from Facebook friend the other day announcing a pop-up art sale at Koelsch Haus Gallery in Houston. A pop-up art sale? Of course I was intrigued. So when I arrived Franny Koelsch greeted me at the door and thanked me for attending. I told her that I had to attend, that I’d never been to a pop-up art sale before. To which she answered that she’d never had one before. When I walked into the main gallery the artist was sitting at a table stacked with cardboard posters. He was wearing blue denim overalls with a …continue reading

Where food is art too: Kata Robata

: Food & Beverage: Written by Troy Broussard : 01-29-2015

Hamachi & Jalapeno Sashimi at Kata Robata

Growing up in Cajun country where fish is battered and deep fried, the idea of sushi was completely foreign to me. I first ate at a Japanese restaurant in 1986 when I visited a friend in Houston. It was something I had only heard of on TV. I recall that excursion to Miyako—the original out Westheimer—I marveled at the novelty of dining on raw fish and balled up rice wrapped in seaweed. Over the years since then I have been lucky to experience a wide variety of Japanese restaurants all over the world and have come to learn that the cuisine isn’t just a …continue reading