One of the musicians from the Brass Queens, a New Orleans brass band that plays in my neighborhood, told me that they'd be visiting CHiPS on a particular Friday, and I decided to come along. They were working for Bombas, a sock company that gives one pair of socks to the homeless for every pair they sell. Well, that Friday was the day they were giving away socks and they invited the Brass Queens to play and it was a delicious combination of food, music and charity.
The name of this painting is based on a New Orleans jazz standard, but I thought it was appropriate for the day. As the last piece that I'm making for this exhibit, I wanted it to show that there's hope, that the sun always rises and that it will come out again. Though the guests of CHiPS aren't in this picture, they're represented by the light from stage right.
This is the last piece from my exhibition – The Faces of CHiPs - What if God lived in Gowanus? – a series of studies and portraits of the people of CHiPs, a soup kitchen/residence that has served my neighborhood for 50 years. All proceeds from sales of paintings and prints will be donated to CHiPs to further their mission.
This original gouache painting on watercolor paper is 18" x 24".
