Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Gichi Ziibi (Mississippi River)

I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Street Performer

I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Hidden Gems

I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Slave Exchange

I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - St. Elizabeth's

I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Food

I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Wrought Iron

I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Bourbon Street

I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Shutters

I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - St. Charles Trolley

I'm back - taking another imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.
I'm leaving in a little while for New Orleans on Laure Ferlita's first "Imaginary Trip Made Real" and I'm so excited I can hardly wait. I've always wanted to go to New Orleans, and ever since I took my first imaginary trip with Laure I've wanted to meet her in person. So I'm doing both, and I'll be spending a week with a few other artists I've met in Laure's classes - it should be a great week.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Mardi Gras World

Who could resist this laughing jester outside Mardi Gras World. We didn't make it inside on this trip, but that's just one more reason to come back.

And no, I'm not really in New Orleans; I'm on an Imaginary Trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Crescent City Connection

On our last night in New Orleans, we did a jazz and dinner cruise on the Creole Queen! I arrived a few minutes early and decided to sketch the bridge. This has been a wonderful trip, and I really hate to see it end.

And no, I'm not really in New Orleans; I'm on an Imaginary Trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Street Performers

This street musician was concentrating so hard on her music, which was amazing.

And no, I'm not really in New Orleans. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Masquerade

The masks were awesome - I couldn't resist this beauty.

And no, I'm not really in New Orleans. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Hidden Gems

Journaling reads, "This is just one example of the many courtyards we discovered as we walked around the French Quarter. They provide welcome relief from the heat and humidity that plagues the city for much of the year. We saw lush greenery, comfortable-looking patio furniture . . . and locked gates. I so wanted to sneak in, sit awhile, sketch a little, and enjoy an ice-cold lemonade, but sadly, that was not to be. But I still enjoyed looking."

And no, I'm not really in New Orleans. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Pierre Maspero's

Journaling reads, "What a lot of fun we all had! Laughing and talking all at once and telling stories. And the food here - DELICIOUS! I arrived 20 minutes early - not much time, but all the plants were so wild and free. A little hard to believe this place started out as the Slave Exchange. That's a sobering thought."

And no, I'm not really in New Orleans. I'm on an imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip To New Orleans - St. Elizabeth's

For some reason, I had a hard time deciding what to sketch when we visited St. Elizabeth's Asylum. Maybe that was because it was so BIG! I finally settled on the entrance with its leaded glass doors, but I felt rather uninspired, which I'm afraid comes through in the sketch. I'm already looking forward to my NEXT sketch.

And no, I'm not really in New Orleans - this is an Imaginary Trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip To New Orleans - Beignets

How can anyone resist something covered with this much powdered sugar? I don't usually eat donuts or sweet rolls, but I had to sample this New Orleans specialty - after all, you only live once, right? And it was every bit as good as I'd been told!

And no, I'm not really in New Orleans - this is an Imaginary Trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Wrought Iron

It's all over New Orleans, and it comes in the most interesting colors. I really liked this light fixture - and the finials on the fences. Just a few quick sketches to get the essence of it. Lots of fun!

And no, I'm not really in New Orleans - this is an Imaginary Trip with Laure Ferlita.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Bourbon Street

I used Google Street View to wander around on Bourbon Street until I found this pub that I wanted to sketch.

Journaling reads:

"You can't go to New Orleans and miss the party on Bourbon Street. I had to try a Hurricane; they're made with fruit juice, passion fruit syrup or grenadine, and rum. I had it here, in the Bourbon Pub, on the corner of Bourbon St. and St. Ann St., so I could have it in a hurricane glass. If I'd wanted to take it outside, it would have been in a neon green plastic go-cup."

And no, I'm not really in New Orleans - this is an Imaginary Trip with Laure Ferlita.