Papa's Patois

My grandfather was a jovial, fun-loving, compassionate man.  At Mardi Gras, he seemed to enjoy hearing his Zydeco music the most. He spoke with a creole accent, (mixed with English-French and I don't know what else), but mostly he spoke Creole patois. Rarely did he speak English. Most of the adults in my life growing up spoke Creole patois, especially if they were gossiping about other people.  Papa loved to speak patois, he would always complain that my parents didn't teach me the language. My dream was to learn to speak to Papa in his own language. I attribute my love of languages to my grandfather.

(June 2006)

When hurricane Katrina hit in 2005; for my family it was hurricane Rita: I thought it would be a great time to continue the genealogical search of Papa's lineage, and paint something in honor of my  grandfather. The painting above (2006) is the second painting of the Zydeco series. 

(Sep 2006)

First painting after my head injury.

But by the third painting things got more complicated, it was challenging to do anything after my accident. My language skills, and speaking patterns were almost non-existent after the head injury, except for my patois.  Papa's patois stuck.  My nurse, in the hospital was from Haiti, and a close friend,  spoke French to me and I responded, in my grandfather's native tongue. Speaking to them in Papa's patois helped me eventually back to speaking english. Papa would've been happy I was finally talking again, and speaking his language; thanks Papa. 

I decided to put Papa's music on for comfort, while I painted, so I could complete my tribute to my grandfather. Each painting has its own story of Papa.

A view from the French Quarters

I imagined my grandfather's ancestors, after a long journey from France to Jamaica, and St. Domingue,  arriving in the port of New Orleans in 1798; seeing that church.

Vieux Crowley by Beausoleil

Papa's foot taping music. He enjoyed this music.

Zydeco & South Louisiana

The Acadians {Cajun}, from Nova Scotia (of Spanish, German, and Anglo descent ) settled and intermingled with the Indians in the area, in the bayou of South Louisiana, a French territory and some 'interestin' music was born. The music is a blend of the steel guitar, drums, and accordion.

These paintings of the Zydeco series, are tributes to my grandfather and his love of Zydeco music, which I finally appreciate.

The flavourful blends of people from everywhere makes the culture bright, vibrant, and full of life.

What is Zydeco?

" Zydeco is the blues and dance music of the black Louisiana Creoles, French speakers who were brought to Louisiana as slaves by the French planters in the 18th Century. The roots of Zydeco music can be found in the hand-clapping and foot-stomping used by the field hands to pray and give thanks, which evolved and later incorporated blues, swamp pop, R& B, and Afro- Caribbean rhythms." Rocky Petralia

Zydeco Inspirations

Wit a little dis
and
a little dat
and
shake-it roun
ther be loads of fun aboun.
Mais, yeah cher
Gather roun for some jumbalaya,
crawfish pie,
mais yeah and a little gumbo,
O Mee o My O