In The Tradition Of Mardi Gras Post Your Green, Gold And Purple

A vintage photo I took when 10 years old.....

I wished I could be there, Michael

Mardi Gras Beads New Orleans

What a great capture, Michael!

@Christine, That is a cool photo fern and beads. They are thinking it may rain Mardi Gras last, last year was freezing cold, wet, it was a mess but the die-hard revelers were out in the messy weather. St. Charles Ave. is packed right now, one more day parade and then Bacchaus Parade tonight, no camera there have been many photo ops. Thanks for posting the photo.

@Edward, I am sure you remember the madness associated with Mardi Gras, that is a beautiful macro, it looks like a pin. Not sure if you new this a artist came up with the most clever way of recycling the plastic Mardi Gras beads and does some of the most detailed mosaic paintings using nothing but the beads. So detailed and does these giant murals, and has his studio on Magazine St. and now known world wide. You have no clue is beads used looks more like colored stones as used in intricate mosaics......Thanks for posting your photo very nice composition.....Happy Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photogapher.

@Valerie, I like the rustic look of your photo, and yes beads hanging everywhere, now the trees lined on the parade route are covered in beads......thanks for posting that photo. I love it long after Mardi Gras tourist will stop and take photos and ask why are there so many beads hanging from the trees and wires.....The weather has been so nice for all the festivities....Happy Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras past two favors I inherited which were in the family. A brass mirror and a silver plated basked from England. These items were special gifts given to subject in attendance of the ball or gifts presented from the King of Carnival to a family member. I have always been a big fan of the Orpheus Parade organized by Harry Connick, Jr. his float designs are replicas of themed floats from the past last 1800's and 1900's. Not a single detail left from the floats......

Lundi Gras which is tomorrow the King Of Carnival Rex will be doing something very different tradition he will be arriving by train along the river front, to meet King Zulu for the Lundi Gras celebration on the river front. My costume will be the one I designed which hopefully will be visible on NCIS new Orleans episode of Mardi Gras. The entire cast will be Grand Monarchs of Orpheus parade tomorrow night which rolls the streets of New Orleans from Uptown. I am at my coffee shop along the route and the crowds are getting very heavy for tonight's anticipation of Bucchaus Parade.

Have fun Michael.

@Jim, that is a great image, looks like a real party. Thanks for posting your wonderful image. Happy Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer

I didn't have Mardi Gras in mind when I created Buba and Kiki, but I think they fit the bill...

Hello Julia, that is awesome they are great and would look fantastic as a part of a float......thanks for posting, beautiful detail.

come and take me to the Mardi Gras!

This is the nearest I have!



GillBillingtonArt.com

My image was taken in a Las Vegas gift shop although I was in New Orleans once on a sales conference. Had some great meals - breakfast at Brennan's, Cafe du Monde, K-Paul's, Emerils. Ahh the good old days and expense accounts.

@Edward, no way, how do you like that, and it was taken in Las Vegas, how ya like that. I am glad you enjoyed the food while you where attending your convention and with the restaurants its a good thing their was an expense account. Good choices for dining, Brennan's was just re-opened as Brennan's, Café du Monde still producing making beginets, K-Paul's still going strong and Emerils now had Delmonicos on St. Charles Ave.

It was a very upscale family restaurant and closed an Emerils kept the family name Delmonico's and included his name. I am glad you had some good experiences while in New Orleans. Cheers and Happy Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer....

@Gil, wow now that is an amazing piece, and yes it looks very close to me color wise. That design would be beautiful incorporated into a float design. Did you know each year the day after Mardi Gras the floats are ripped apart and work begins for the following year. Each year each crew has a different theme, some of the super crews spend millions, and some cost a hefty membership fee.

I do have plans to march in the Joan of Arc parade, I have a year to design my mid-evil costume and make my give outs along the parade route, through the French quarter. The parade is in honor of Joan of Arc birthday. I also, will be joining a parade crew and ride in my first parade through the city for Mardi Gras.


Thanks for posting your beautiful image. Cheers and Happy Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer.

@Noa, it was a pleasure viewing your wonderful gallery, thank you so much for your contribution of the beautiful colors of Mardi Gras, very nice work. You would be in awe the year long artistry which is involved in designing and painting the floats. Some now are nearly a block long and pulled by huge tractors and some are super floats double decker's and can easily hold well over 350 riders and each and everyone of them have thousands and thousands of dollars of Mardi Gras throws.

I wish I could zap you away so you can experience the Mardi Gras. Cheers, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer. Monday is Lundi Gras, and the long awaited Orpheous Parade the floats are designed as the floats were back in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Cheers, Michael Hoard, Actor, Artist and Photographer.

As Barbara sings, Don't Rain On My Parade,




Parades are starting early tomorrow because of the threat of rain......go away, and come back another day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4x6bgPTVz0

LOL Have a blast Michael!!

Greetings, Michael! Tomorrow is the big day! Here are my Mardi Gras images:

Thank you Michael for the invitation to experience the Mardi Gras from far away.
The vibes of celebration always come through :-)
AND ofcourse a big thanks for visiting my gallery + feedbacking my work ♥

Reporting live from New Orleans on Lundi Gras Day. Mardi Gras has always been billed "The Greatest Free Show On Earth" everyone along world famous St. Charles Avenue is staking there land with lawn chairs, tents you name it and yes step ladders. Anywhere along the parade route for Mardi Gras Day is prime real estate. All of this part of that unique culture and history the food, music, families and tourist which makes New Orleans along with so many others we all call home.

What is so amazing the large crew and hard workers which clean up the debris of paper and beads left behind Besides all the tents and chairs lined up you would not even think there were all day parades til late last night except for the hundreds of beads dangling from the beautiful oak trees which line the parade route.

For every parade this year I wore the vintage beads I caught when I was 10 years old. I had been stopped so many times one look and you can see they do not throw those kind of beads. Long multi colored thin glass tubes with glass beads separating them. Because of changing times and the safety hazard they were discontinued in the late 60's. I remember as a kid my necks would be all scratched up, people would cut there hands and its understandable why they no longer throw them.


Weeks after Mardi Gras and throughout the year when new tourist arrive they marvel at all the beads in the trees and caught on wires. Crews do their best to remove those beads but the one in the trees are a not easily removed.

Cheers and Happy Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer.

@Deb, that made my day, I never expected to see that, so hysterical funny and what a missed actor and comedian Robin Williams is, his legacy lives on thru media. He made us all laugh and cry a true and natural entertainer. A light rain began after the last parade last night, very grey and overcast now. Because of threat of possible storms all the big events this evening are beginning early. Come rain, sleet, snow, hail the party will continue until 12 midnight tomorrow night.

I will view Zulu and Rex as have done for so many years on St. Charles Ave. and then venture down to the French Quarter to my tenants friends open house. Last year Mardi Gras Day it was bitter cold, rain and occasional sleet.

I have spent all my time at the coffee shop just around the corner of my residence and on St. Charles Ave. I have had my lap top and in between floats go inside and work on the computer. I actually took it out side and stood on my chair and video taped using the computer cam, and the riders on the floats thought I was a report and hailed me with beads and was standing their juggling my lap top and friends were catching the throws. Its not the best of quality video but will upload someone after the festivities.

I had to laugh, yesterday I went into Burger King to get a chocolate shake and it was very crowded an the attendant got all excited, and thought something had happened, and she rushes to get the other employees and they were all trying to guess what famous actor I am.....lol. They thought I was a famous actor from a TV commercial.


Thanks for the comments and great video. Cheers and Happy Mardi Gras Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer.

The Feral Coots are definitely keeping up with tradition

@R Allen, now if that isn't Mardi Gras colors then I have no clue what is...lol, that is a hoot!!!!!! Thanks for posting makes you want to laugh hysterically!!!!! Cheers, Happy Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer!

@J Morgan, Of Earth and Sky, Violet Intensity are very beautiful representations of Green, Yellow and Purple. Thank you for posting your images of these three unique color color combinations. Cheers, Happy Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer,

I found this link for everyone's viewing very informative of the history of Mardi Gras!


http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/mardigras/mardigrashistory/

Better late than never...

@Kathy my neighbor from the Gulf coast, I am certain you have been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and have even maybe taken part of festivities in Mobile, Ala. it is said the tradition of Mardi Gras originated their. Mardi Gras is a French tradition and was introduced to New Orleans.

My Mardi Gras image:

Display of purple, pink and greens in an abstract.

Conflict - an abstract of Browns, golds and oranges.



Me Too - Stuffed Puppies with a special one in the group.

Here`s my Mardi Gras images.. Rich Velvety Petunias ... purple petunias with green leaves and golden centres.



and Violas in the Morning.. purple and yellow violas with green background...

@Deb, oh gosh right when the Orpheous Parade was at the viewing area I was at, I storm passed through, it was near78 and the rains came, and the temperature dropped to near 63 it was numbing cold and the wind and rain pelting everything bought out umprellas, and darned their rain gear. The parade continued to it ball at the New Orleans Convention Center, the entire parade rolls through floats and bands and the thousands attending the gala event for the ball which will take place til the wee hours of the morning.

New Orleans will awake in the morning to temperature near 35 and colder with the wind chill, Carnival will continue regardless what mother nature throws at Carnival.

Everyone's images have been great. The entire cast members of NCIS were Grand Monarch's in tonight's parade.....and the most exciting thing occurred which I plan to post soon to my discussion thread Lights, Camera, Action its official....I am making the announcement there.....Cheers, Happy Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer..

Hello Maria, thank you so much for posting your beautiful original painting with that purplish hue, that is one of the three colors of Mardi Gras.....Cheers, Happy Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer

@Sharon thank you so much for posting your Mardi Gras colors very beautiful choice.....The colors of Mardi Gras which is visible in nature. Thanks for submitting your photos, Cheers, Happy Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer...

@Phyllis, thank you so much I appreciate you submission of images, hey Mardi Gras can get very much like your images....after a long day of party's....smiling. They are festive images.....Cheers, Happy Lundi Gras, and Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer.....

@Jim, now what a fantastic painting, and looks so festive and true Mardi Gras colors, and noises, and emotions of the day.....thanks for submitting beautiful creation, movement and colors....I appreciate your contribution.....Cheers, Happy Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras, Michael Hoard, Actor, Artist and Photographer.....

Its official the proclamation declaring Mardi Gras.



take a peek also at all the other wonderful videos made leading up to Lundi Gras

I have a nude with madi gras beads draped across her leg.. is that one ok?

Hello Jean, I appreciate your asking before posting, I did not indicate no nudes in this discussion forum because I did not even think about the possibility of a fellow member posting a nude associated with Mardi Gras colors... I am certain it tastefully done but would prefer no nudity in this discussion forum...

Cheers, Officially Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer.

No worries.. it will be online soon.. so if you be so inclined in a few days take a look and no I won't post it here.. thanks Michael ,by the way thanks for joining the nudes only contest.. really makes for fun when you know somebody familiar there.. JGP

Ok, I forgot about this little work.. it has all the colors ..

Wow sounds so surreal and really fun!! My parents lived in Shreport (spelling) for a time job related before we were born. Enjoy the festivities and keep the videos and pics coming!!

Hello Diane, I did survive Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday yesterday I had a do nothing day, it pretty much took me the entire day to revive myself.....it was very cold, windy and gloomy, but over all it was a memorable Mardi Grs, I had a lot of photo ops in my costume. thank you for posting that beautiful photo Mardi Gras Indians, wonderful combination of colors.....

@Deb, what a wonderful photo Barb, I like it a lot. Thanks for the comments, all that remains of anything relating to Mardi Gras are the beautiful banners green, gold and purple from buildings and the thousands of carnival beads handing from wires and yes the trees along the parade route, draped in Mardi Gras beads, everything is pretty much back to norm

@Jean, thanks for the post its a wonderful design, with the purple, gold, and green colors....

My featured costume, awhhh the scenes were changed in my hand painted face, as Scot was running to the party where the heist was taking place, the woman who runs up the steps and puts the boa around the guys neck, the crowd is walking by I was in that scene but it looks like a blur. I did see a few regulars for background in various scenes a couple of times in the episode.

Now, the beginning of the program when the Kermit Ruffus is giving a night time concert I am on the left hand side of the stage but off in the night time background shadows,

Wow, what a Mardi Gras Day, I have survived, it was not stop party, I spent the morning at the coffee shop and saw Rex. While I was at the coffee shop someone associated with NCIS was there. She had informed me she did view the final cut. Well, she also saw my painted face and costume and everyone stopped me for photo ops and told how beautifully painted my face was.

Well I then walk down to the French Quarter, it was a bit cold and windy and gloomy. I was a guest of my tenet at a friend of his who lives on Bourbon and he hosted an all day open house. Everyone did hang around to see my debut, but shucks, I am in one scene but I am off in the shadows, I know its me. and then the main scene I was in all there was a blur of movement everyone walking to the parade. I did play back and froze the frames I was in....oh well there will be other moments on the screen.

Then I left the party, and walked around to see more of night madness, people still in costumes and leave parties and head out to the quarter to party yet more. At the stroke of 12 midnight it ended, yet people still out to the early morning hours......

I had a do nothing day, finally I feel revived.....lol


MARK YOUR CALENDAR Mardi Gras is Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Hope you had a great Mardi Gras weekend Michael! I miss the fun times. After having photographed the parades for 4 years in a row i've missed the last two. Maybe next year!

Hello Sal, now if that does not look like Mardi Gras nothing will, yes its been a great Mardi Gras, I only live 1/2 block from the parade route off St. Charles Ave. Just about all my friends we meet at my favorite coffee shop for front row to all the parades. I missed not having a camera but they sure had a lot of great costumes Mardi Gras Day.

I will make up for lost pictures next year, Mardi Gras is much earlier, I think the 2nd earliest its ever been. Thanks for posting a great photo.....



Hello Kevin, that is so true, musicians just about everywhere you roamed someone playing live music. They are the best the street musicians, thanks for your contribution and a great painting. If I had to guess, a street musician behind the Cathedral, am I right about that on Royal Street.

Cheers, Michael Hoard Actor, Artist and Photographer.