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Where to find great local art in New Orleans

I love to buy original art from my travels. It doesn’t have to be a Picasso or anything worth terribly much. It just has to resonate with me and therefore have become some of the best souvenirs I own.

Ricco, artist New Orleans

Ricco is happy to pose for a pic – after I bought one of his paintings

One of the best places to buy paintings in New Orleans is from the artists themselves around Jackson Square. The iron railings are hung with their work and you could spend ages here just browsing their work and chatting to them.

Across the road from the famous Cafe du Monde where a plate of 3 hot beignets – donuts dusted in icing sugar – sells for $2.95 and where buskers stand and sing, sometimes with an instrument but more often acapella, I met Ricco who makes long narrow paintings of quintessential New Orleans scenes.

Cafe du Monde beignets

You can’t visit New Orleans without stopping at Cafe du Monde for beignets!

Cafe du Monde

Could you manage all three?

He sells the originals for $50 or a print for $20. I loved them so much I didn’t try to negotiate on the price – but I did ask him for a photo. With his sign that says no photos.

He went on to describe the copycats who he says are costing him about $2000 a week with their similar paintings hanging further along. His are better quality, I told him. And I meant it. I should have told him that all the great artists are copied.

What souvenirs do you like to collect on your travels?

 

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Hi, I'm Megan Singleton and I'm the word slinger of this travel blog as well as on radio in NZ every Sunday. Former Travel Editor at Yahoo NZ and current freelance writer for a few newspapers and mags from time to time, I set off on this travel writing journey 20 years ago and I've pretty much always got a suitcase half packed (or half un-packed!) I'd love you to join me on Facebook or Twitter and sign up for my newsletters if you want loads of travel tips, advice and deals!