The search for children whose cards provided hope in the midst of Katrina chaos.   August 29, 2015 marked the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history. While the media flooded the world with an overload of dismal aftermath imagery, such were memories that those of us who had […]

A God Wink that led to a Garth Brooks encounter Do you believe in Destiny? That’s the question I posed on the very first post that kicked off The Right Brain Diaries blog in October of 2014. Over the next few months, I shared the chapters of an epic adventure with a real life fairy tale […]

I am a word nerd. For me, writing is a passion. It’s just something I’ve always loved. The thing about writing is that it’s not something  one can really do on demand. Ideas come and go, and often times, if they’re not scribbled down, they’re gone for good. But every now and then, inspiration hits and […]

Recently, when reading the news online, I stumbled upon a headline that stunned me. The story reported that a small group of Tulane students who were dissatisfied with the university’s announcement that the very accomplished journalist and Today Show host Hoda Kotb had been selected to deliver the Class of 2016’s commencement address. The students declared that they […]

Limited edition of 2015 for the Tenth Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina This handmade steel Hurricane Symbol is an new, slightly larger version of the original symbol which was an edition size of 80 that debuted in the winter of 2005. The piece was originally designed to be hung at the level of Hurricane Katrina’s storm […]

Autographed by Terral Evans and Johnny Panks of the History Channel’s hit show, “Swamp People.” SOLD The Mardi Gras MisChief Swamp Lady in Green is ready to emerge from the Louisiana Swamp lands. She is fashioned out of fine Italian Lambskin embossed in a green animal print, with her skirt layered in green Lambskin. Her […]

Inspired by New Orleans’ own Harry Connick, Jr. This oversized ceramic bowl features Adam Sambola’s iconic “RedBean the Crawfish” encircled by piano keys and performing the song near and dear to all New Orleanians hearts. The song became an anthem for those who were forced to evacuate due to Katrina, and a celebration when they […]

Born and reared on Bayou Liberty in Slidell, artist Phil Galatas began painting in high school, and his subject matter was always Louisiana inspired. He was influenced tremendously by the water, marsh, trees and culture of the state’s beautiful scenery. After earning a degree in Commercial Art, Phil served four years in the Air Force, […]

Autographed by Channing Tatum. SOLD. In the artist’s words: When Channing Tatum’s mom invites you (and 20 of your favorite church lady friends) to join her for lunch at her son’s restaurant, Saints & Sinners, how can your response be anything but “laissez les bons temps roulez”? Great food and service met a great company […]

This may very well be the only artwork enhanced by Katrina’s flood waters. Al Reisz is a writer and creative woodturner who was born and grew up in the Gentilly section of New Orleans. He moved to Slidell in the mid-1980s, where for the next twenty years, he and his wife Jean reared their three […]

SOLD. Inspired by Allen Toussaint, Professor Longhair and Dr. John. The original of Three Piano Men is on permanent display in the Memphis Blues Hall Of Fame. The artwork also was featured in Billboard Magazine in a story about the museum. In the artist’s words: When people ask me ‘How long did it take you […]

Autographed by Tony Hawk. SOLD. Auctioned on CharityBuzz. Devin Boutwell’s hand carved skateboard, “Risen,” was inspired by his hero, Tony Hawk. It’s symbolic of the many Katrina warriors who rose through the challenges of Hurricane Katrina, becoming stronger and more resilient as a result. It was art and the desire to create that paved a […]

Autographed by Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson. At first glance, artist Joel Geiger may be mistaken for one of Duck Dynasty’s Robertson brothers. He sports a beard similar to those for which the brothers are famous. But while the duck hunting brothers seek their prey, Joel is capturing the likeness of pintails, mallards and more in […]

SOLD Known for her whimsical and unique creations, Kelly Landrum-Hammell combines pottery and unexpected elements for truly one-of-a-kind designs. Her works include horsehair-fired clay, raku and functional clay pieces. After eleven years of working in New York City as an agent for Elite Models, Kelly looked to pottery as a creative outlet. She signed up […]

Inspired by Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. Music is a big part of Michael’s life, and his first ever concert was that of The Rolling Stones. So when considering which work he would create for the Hope for Habitat: Katrina X event, his mind raced with thoughts of the Stones and front man Mick Jagger. […]

Autographed by Ian Somerhalder, with the message “With all my love and thanks.” SOLD – Auctioned via Charity Buzz. Charlotte’s donation to Hope for Habitat: Katrina X is inspired by Ian’s passion for animal rights, a commitment which she shares. As Hurricane Katrina was approaching, so many people were left with the dilemma of how […]

SOLD.  Inspired by Sting. Roxanne dances as if no one is watching in this beautiful oil painting by artist Kenny Bridges. As a child, Kenny loved to draw and doodle, but his father believed he should focus his energies toward a more traditional career. Unfortunately for Kenny, a non-violent drug offense led to his incarceration […]

As seen in the movie, “The Best of Me.” Loose painter and environment artist Carol Hallock often can be spotted kayaking through the bayou, with paint and brushes in hand. She says it is the ultimate plein air experience. The award-winning artist’s work also has graced the silver screen. A hand embellished giclee of Geraldine […]

Inspired by the New Orleans Saints. John Doherty, who was reared in Slidell, Louisiana, says he learned to work with steel “the hard way” at Southern Shipbuilding. While he moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1994, he was in Slidell the day before Katrina hit. As residents evacuated the city for Katrina, he headed back home […]

SOLD Inspired by Tim McGraw. Somewhere familiar, a safe place to land, That feeling you get when you finally come back. I got all these burdens rollin’ round in my head. Once I round that corner girl you put ’em all to rest I can feel it, feel it, Got the wheels spinnin’, spinnin’ Pullin’ […]

Inspired by Bob Dylan. I had a job in the great north woods, Working as a cook for a spell. But I never did like it all that much And one day the ax just fell. So I drifted down to New Orleans Where I happened to be employed Workin’ for a while on a […]

Inspired by “Hope Floats” – Garth Brooks, Harry Connick, Jr. and Sandra Bullock. I remember sitting in a movie theater, back in 1998, entranced by Hope Floats, starring Harry Connick, Jr. and Sandra Bullock. There was something about that movie that touched something deep within my heart and soul, and to this day, it remains […]

Inspired by Taylor Swift. Do you believe in Fairytales? The back story behind “Enchanted,” inspired by Taylor Swift, created by artist Mandie Manzano. We’re hoping for another fairy tale ending with a sig that can help turn this work of art into affordable homes for deserving families. Mandie says as she created this piece, she […]

Special thanks to artist Stephan Wanger of Bead Town and Galeria Alegria, who  who will donate a custom work from his “Beauty Underneath” series to benefit East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity via the Hope for Habitat: Katrina X project. This commissioned work of art, created with Mardi Gras beads and additional elements, will feature […]

SOLD Inspired by Rush’s Neil Peart. Not long ago, I ran into artist Connie Born’s husband, Dean, at an event and he extended a hand to me, saying, “I cannot begin to tell you how excited Connie is to be part of the Hope for Habitat: Katrina X exhibit. She’s got her fire back.” When […]

Autographed by The Charlie Daniels Band. SOLD – Auctioned via Charity Buzz. Artist Adam Sambola is best known for his iconic character, RedBean the Crawfish, and the colorful crustacean’s sidekick, Gumbo the Crab. Individually or collectively, they appear in many of the artist’s works, celebrating Louisiana culture and customs. The Bayou State’s music legends and […]

Inspired by Sir Elton John. With the recent fairy tale ending of The Beatles adventures, and the successful auction of the piano autographed by Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, what followed was the inevitable question: How can East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity top this at the 2015 Home Is Where the Art Is […]

Throughout this Beatles piano adventure, there have been many “Y’all ain’t gonna believe this…” kind of moments. Today, we added more to that list. The day began with an email from the buyer, who has asked that her name not be disclosed, but approved sharing of this story and the location of the piano’s new […]

Some hope for the future, Some wait for the call To say that the days ahead Will be the best of all. –Paul McCartney, “Hope for the Future.” While November 1 marked the successful ending of our quests for The Beatles’ autographs, it also meant that we had just a few weeks until the East […]

Listen! Do you want to know a secret? Do you promise not to tell? —The Beatles, “Do You Want to Know a Secret?” October 31 began with the confirmation that the Habitat truck repairs had been completed. The good folks at B.I.R. Truck and Trailer Repair, who had graciously towed it to specialty repair center […]

I’ve got to admit it’s getting better. A little better all the time. –-The Beatles, “Getting Better” It’s amazing how sometimes the most seemingly mundane of events can turn into an adventure. On Day Four, as we eagerly awaited the repair of the Habitat truck so we could return home with the newly autographed Beatles-themed […]

And then while I’m away, I’ll write home every day.–The Beatles, “All My Loving.” The morning of October 29 had begun with a simple Facebook update for those who had joined us, virtually, on our journey home after our secret mission to secure the coveted Paul McCartney autograph on The Beatles themed piano. “And we’re […]

Here comes the sun, and I say it’s alright. The morning sun came just a little too soon, with checkout time not far behind. While the few hours of slumber helped, the compounded sleep deprivation of the past week was quickly catching up to us, exacerbated by the maddening growls of hungry stomachs. As anticipated, […]

It was sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight that East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity President/CEO Debbie Crouch and I made our way back to our vehicle after the Paul McCartney concert. We were concurrently exhausted and delirious given the extended adventure which had led us to Louisville in the quest for this Holy Grail. […]

It was the answer we dared to dream. The loading dock area of the KFC Yum Center in Louisville, Kentucky, was bustling with activity as crews worked to get everything in place for the evening’s event: the Oct. 28 performance of Sir Paul McCartney’s “Out There” tour. So there we stood, a trio of women […]

Oh, Murphy’s Law, how we abhor thee. Less than an hour into the second day of our journey toward securing Sir Paul McCartney’s autograph on The Beatles-themed piano, we found ourselves in Franklin, Kentucky, two hours away from our destination of Louisville. As we coasted into B.I.R. Truck and Trailer Repair shop, conveniently located near […]

“Woke up. Fell out of bed. Dragged a comb across my head.” Day Two of our adventure to Louisville to secure Sir Paul McCartney’s autograph on The Beatles-themed piano found us in White House, Tennessee. It was an unanticipated detour due to repeated breakdowns of the East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity truck in which […]

Ever feel like you’re living in a movie of the week? We had received the absolutely stunning news that my request for Sir Paul McCartney’s autograph on Habitat’s Beatles-themed piano had been approved. While we had missed the chance to make this happen in nearby New Orleans, we were excited for the opportunity to complete […]

Have you ever had one of those moments in which you experience something so profound that your heart skips a beat? You can’t think. You can’t breathe. And words escape you. That was the reaction I had when opening an email with a brief but poignant message. “Ringo has agreed to sign this [piano.] Peace […]

“Open up your heart, let’s come together, Use a little love and we will make it work out better.”                       –Ringo Starr, “It Don’t Come Easy.” The lyrics of one of Ringo Starr’s most popular songs seemed like an apropos intro for today’s blog entry. Because, indeed, for some people, life surely doesn’t come easy. […]