My cousin is leaving today. He’s been here all week participating in The Shadows-on-the-Teche Plein Air Competition, a juried art competition for artists who paint outside. They arrived last Saturday and have been painting all over our area until Thursday when they hung their best pieces. Friday night was the awards ceremony. Today, Andrew goes home to New Orleans.
Andrew and I are first cousins; his father was my mother’s brother. He’s like a little brother to me. I will text or call when I am in New Orleans and sometimes we manage to get together for coffee and beignets, but this week we spent every evening together. Hours of talking and sharing and learning more about each other and the family from which we hatched.
I feel like a part of my heart has grown back, a part I didn’t even know was missing.
This was only the second Plein Air competition he’s done. By day, he’s an architect and teaches architecture at Tulane University in New Orleans. At the beginning of the week, he was vulnerable and questioning his style, but by Friday night he had sold 4 of the 7 pieces he put into the show. That feels like success. We purchased the best one, in my opinion, the painting you see above of St. John’s Catholic Cathedral in Lafayette, LA.
The most successful thing for me was claiming back the relationship I have with Andrew. We’ll both treasure this time we had together.
Reflections on the Teche 
So happy for you both! Family is everything.
I feel that way when I get together with cousins… I have a lot, my mother was youngest of 11! Most of the cousins, though, grew up “down home” (KY/OH) while my parents moved “up north” (IN). It is surprising how we share lots of physical similarities, and even other similarities… just enough differences to keep it interesting!
People said they saw a resemblance. I don’t see it. I’d never be able to keep up with all the cousins you have!
I love how you phrase your time with Andrew – learning more about each other and the family from which we hatched.I feel like a part of my heart has grown back, a part I didn’t even know was missing.
I enjoyed learning about htis art event and seeing the painting you purchased!
Beautiful artwork. Great to have a cousin to count on and connect with. Makes the memories richer.
The smile on your faces says it all. You so eloquently described how this special week touched your heart and impacted you positively. I’m happy for you and your cousin. Beautiful painting!
I liked it that you wrote a part of your heart has grown back 🙂 That is so expressive.