Crawfish Cartoon on Shirts and Gifts

Comical crawfish on unique gifts, aprons, bibs,clocks, kids tops, shirtshttp://www.cafepress.com/figstreetstudio/596208
See many unique cajun crawfish on shirts at Fig Studio.Street

Personalized Lobster Gifts

Add name or sentiments to large apron or t-shirt at Fig Street Studio Zazzle store on the web. More unusal gift ideas available.

Lobster Apron by figstreetstudio
Design custom aprons online at zazzle.com

Lobster tops or shirts for ladies, men, and kids.

Lobster Shirt by figstreetstudio
Browse more Lobster T-Shirts

Lobster Shirt by figstreetstudio
View other Lobster T-Shirts

NOLA Street Name Blue Letter Tiles

Sold on the web for the past 8 years, replica blue letter street name tile, letters and numbers several designs see them and other street signs at http://www.cafepress.com/figstreetstudio/434932
Tiles, magnets, stickers with the individual letters and the big tile murals found in the French Quarter.

For the history of these replica tiles and the original tiles read: http://blogofbingo.blogspot.com/2006/05/new-orleans-street-tiles.html

Ceramic measuring 4.25” x 4.25” and 1/6-inch thick. Images are applied with a polyester resin that accepts dye as part of the coating and heat set onto the ceramic. Blue Letter Tiles Link

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Spanish Tile Street Name Mural Replicas

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Quote about the tiles in New York Times-
"One of the most effective methods of designating streets that I have seen is that used in New Orleans. It consists of blue tiles four by six inches and three-quarter inch thick on each of which is a five-inch letter of the alphabet in white. . . . These not only present a neat appearance, but are large enough to be read without difficulty. -- Albert E. Davis of the Bronx, N.Y., in a Dec. 3, 1913, in a letter to the editor of The New York Times."

The Un-Official Symbols of New Orleans

Interest has gained since Hurricane Katrina in two unofficial symbols of New Orleans, the Fleur De Lis and the New Orleans Water Meter Cover, both are things I have used in my art for many years. The Ford Box Water Meter Cover was designed in 1920 just to be different for water meters used in New Orleans. The designer does not claim ownership of the design and artists for a long time have made it into art, hats, ornaments, and jewelry. There are several other water meter cover designs in New Orleans but the favorite is the Star and Crescent design.


The Fleur de Lis, originally the symbol of the French Kings since Clovis is said to represent a Lilly or the Christian Holy Trinity. The official flag of the City of New Orleans does have three fleur de lis on it and I have the flag on gift items I sell from my web page. In an effort to be different I also took the Water Meter Cover design and adapted it in several ways and colors. The unique styles, rectangular, blue, green, and other adaptations are all sold on various gifts from my web page. Many different Fleur De Lis are also sold on gifts. I believe I am the only one to have the Water Meter Cover on shoes and neckties too. Although as each day passes I notice more and more copies of my designs sold by other places. From clocks, to shoes I have many New Orleans symbols on my web page at http://www.cafepress.com/figstreetstudio.

The Ghost In Pirates Alley

The First Wedding In Pirates Alley New Orleans

The tradition of being married in Pirates Alley in the French Quarter is clouded in secrecy and varies as who tells the tale. One is never sure who was actually the first to get married there but this tale as told to me often during my life is a sure as any tale of pirates, ghosts, and love. Back in the days of the Pirates of Barataria many young men from many places joined in to make a fortune. Called "smugglers" by some, hated by Spain, used by France but admired by Americans as an independent lot who at times would help the poor and ill treated.

I am told one Reginald Hicks, who began as a mere cabin boy on an English ship was taken by some pirates and raised by them. Only a lad in his early teens when captured ultimately raised himself to a first mate of a pirate ship by the time of the War of 1812. He was trusted by all his pirate brethren and their leader Jean Lafitte. He was known to go along with several other men to met with General Jackson to aid the Americans in the Battle of New Orleans, mostly as "cannoneers" as they were very good shots.
Of course Master Hicks was a good looking young man having many a lass looking at him but in his heart was none other but a beautiful Creole French girl, Marie Angel Beauchamp. She too had only thoughts of him and whenever he came into the City they would steal off into the night, keeping their love a secret as it was not permissible for a young Spanish Creole Catholic girl to be seeing a Pirate of English extraction.

As things would happen on Master Hicks' visit to meet with General Jackson he learned that his Marie was expecting their child. He being raised as an English gentleman his first decade of life did not want to leave the city without getting married. His child would have a father and his love would not be scorned for having a child without a husband. All evening they searched in vain for a priest to marry them but most required that they both be Catholic, others would not think of doing a ceremony on such short notice. Eventually they had 2 options, simply jumping a broom down in Barataria or seeking out a German born baker in the jail who was also an ordained Protestant minister. Master Hicks did not want to take Marie to Barataria which meant she would have to stay and may never see her family and friends in the city again. So they very early in the morning made their way to the Cabildo and asked the jail's warden if they could speak with the German Minister. He would only allow them to see him through the iron gate facing Orleans Alley. But right there and then they were married. Soon gathered many early arriving workers and some visitors who witnessed the first wedding in Pirates Alley. Documents drawn and signed by a Notary on his way to file others for record at the Cabildo and all present signed making the marriage both Civil and Religious.
Here again the story varies as exactly what happened. What happened to Master Reginald Hicks remains a mystery, some say he was killed in the Battle of New Orleans and seeks out his lovely Marie nightly in Pirates Alley today as a spirit. Others say he and Marie left for Galveston with Pirate Lafitte after Louisiana was sold to America. But if you go to Pirates Alley early in the morning on the right day of the right month you can hear laughter and celebration and wedding bells and a cold breeze passes you by. Could it be the ghost of Master Hicks seeking his bride?

Believe as you may.

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JK Schwehm at Fig Street.
Copyright 2003 [Fig Street, LLC]. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 25,2009 by the author

Art Sales Tumble

Listening to MSNBC and CNBC yesterday a commentator said to cut back on unnecessary spending, save, as things will get worse. I noticed with all the talk the last few months art sales have tumbled to about 40% of what they were last year this time. I am sure things are bad as we read about GM going belly up but I never did sell big ticket items that ate gasoline like I like to eat ice cream, several gallons a minute. I always lived responsible and never owned a big SUV gas guzzler, yatch, swimming pool, or condo in Spain. Although the condo in Spain does sound like a good idea now. My retirement acount is also about half its value now, but I am sure GW will have no problems with his retirement now. It feels good to point out to my friends all those wars cost us our savings, not his.
To combact the falling art sales I have discounted deeply and hope people see that art does not cost much, does not burn gasoline, sits comfortably on a wall and causes us to relax. Something we can do as our elected officials move forward to correct the past mistakes. I am turning off MSNBC and CNBC to save electricity in my part of cutting back. Only news I am interested in is art history and painting something new. How about a portrait of your puppy?

New Orleans Spanish Tile Mural Replicas

Spanish Talavera tiles are hand painted clay tiles that originated in the area of Talavera de la Reina, Spain. They are soft clay moulded and hand colored with a Arabic-Andalusian influence found throughout Spain. Some Spanish Potters brought the style with them to Mexico. The street name murals in the French Quarter were given to New Orleans in 1962 and some, due to weather and wear and tear from vistors touching them are falling apart. Visitors love the murals and take photographs of them. Now there are replica tiles designed by a local artist.


Replicas of the Spanish Tile Murals found at Jackson Square, and as street names along the walls in the French Quarter in New Orleans come in several sizes. This realistic tile mural will be a part of the history of New Orleans and can be used as a display, wall hanging, table top, or tile back in a kitchen or bath.
Comes in several sizes and prices. The smallest is a single 4.5 inch square ceramic tile that is heat set with the design. Other sizes go up to a 27 x14 inch mural composed of 18 sq heat set ceramic tiles. The mural needs to be assembled either glued or set to a backing. Not for floors, just walls or display.

Follow this link for more details and to order http://www.cafepress.com/figstreetstudio/4855160

Lighthouse That Never Was

The great looking Camp. St. Lighthouse that now houses a glass studio never really was a functional light. It was built by the Lighthouse for the Blind, a charity, then later sold as they moved to new offices. It is a wonderful building on a well traveled street close to the Ogden Museum where I docent at times.


I walked that area and took many photos but finally settled on painting the light next to the light. The old gas light glowing near the lighthouse that no longer functions. I sell prints, framed and unframed, tiles, postcards, note cards, and other gift items of this and the other lighthouses near New Orleans. Many of which were destroyed by the storm. My way of preserving what I grew up seeing in my home town. To see more New Orleans area lighthouse prints visit Fig Street Art Studio on the web.

New Orleans Christmas Ornaments

The Ritz-Carlton Gift Shop, 3rd floor inside the New Orleans Hotel on Canal St. will again sell my art on porcelain Christmas ornaments. Last year they told me they sold out in 2 weeks so I hope they order more to sell. If they do not you can always order direct from my web page or stop in at Bucktown Pharmacy and get some there too along with the Christmas cards.

The above photo was from the tree in the Ritz with my ornaments displayed.

Christmas Ornaments At Bucktown

Bucktown Pharmacy on 1701 Lake Ave in Metairie, La.will sell unique New Orleans Christmas ornaments this season. Round 3.5 inch porcelain ornaments with images of the Lake Front, French Quarter, and other images unique to our area. Great for gifts or to decorate with. Featured in the Times Picayune for the 'Rebuild New Orleans' design. The designs have won praise for years by many organizations and were featured in 2006 at the Ritz-Carlton Gift Shop on Canal St. Stop in and see the many unique Christmas cards and gift ideas sold at Bucktown Pharmacy. Location http://bucktownpharmacy.com/ --- Read reprint of news article http://blogofbingo.blogspot.com/2005_11_01_archive.html