(vitreous glass and mirror tiles)

Bon Temps!

This piece is an homage to the great city of New Orleans, my hometown, representing one of the things we love best – To celebrate the abundance and joy of life by sharing delicious food and drink with close family and friends.  The piece was commissioned by an extended family member, as part of a trio for her kitchen. (See the 2 other pieces below.) The wording around the borders “Bon Amis, Bon Vin, Bon Repas, Bon Temps” is an admittedly a loose translation from french for “Good Friends, Good Wine, Good Food, Good Times.”  In addition to being the colloquial spellings for those phrases, “Bon Amis” and “Bon Temps” are also the names of two Social and Pleasure Clubs (SAPCs), which are a mainstay of Creole culture and society in New Orleans.

Many thanks to Genie and the Vidal family for contributing their personal photos, which were the basis and inspiration for this, my first commissioned piece.  I hope it will help to recall many happy memories of home, family and friends, and inspire many wonderful meals shared with loved ones in the years to come.

-Helen Marie

January 2008

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This site was last updated 01/11/10