Francis X. Pavy: Remixed

By Doug MacCash, NEW ORLEANS TIMES-PICAYUNE

Popular Lafayette artist Francis X. Pavy took a couple of years off from painting to concentrate on fixing up his house. With the renovation behind him, Pavy has returned to art with abundant energy and a few new tricks.

"Alligator Rain", 2009

The artist said he’s been mining his old work for favorite pop music and Cajun country symbols that he’s “remixed” into many of the 46 new paintings, wall sculptures and one-of-a-kind prints that fill all three rooms of the original Arthur Roger Gallery.

The best of the remixes is “Alligator Rain,” a 10-foot-wide print in the gallery back room that bursts with make-it-up-as-you-go playfulness.

The folks at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival hired Pavy in 1997 and 2007 to create the official festival poster. If they ever choose him again, they should encourage Pavy to create a poster that includes the charming wood block crudeness, simple color combinations and inky transparencies that make “Alligator” rain and some of his other graphic remixes so fresh and spontaneous.

The exhibit of Pavy’s work continues through April 25 at Arthur Roger Gallery, 432 Julia St. 522.1999. Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. to 4.