Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Life of Johnny Donnels
Posted by Ian McNulty on Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Every year during the French Quarter Festival, I made it a point to stop at photographer Johnny Donnels' gallery on St. Peter Street by Jackson Square.
- Mr. Donnels didn't know me, but I felt like I knew him, just a little, from all the time I'd spent looking at his photographs. I happened upon his gallery on my very first trip to New Orleans, as a tourist poking around the French Quarter, and his photos of his neighborhood and its people helped seal the New Orleans mystique for me. After I finally moved here in 1999 I enjoyed visiting his gallery each year as a way to check in again with those first impressions.
- Donnels died March 19 at age 84. The tributes to him have been moving, and they help commemorate a colorful and inspiring life.
- Tonight, WYES Channel 12 will air Anastasia and Will Lyman's documentary about him, "The Pink Satin Suit." Here's the official description:
The Pink Satin Suit documents the struggles, perseverance and discipline that go into the making of a self-made man. Johnny Donnels is an icon of the French Quarter where he runs a gallery filled with his own art. Revealed in a lover’s embrace with the life that he has created, he is, to many, the last of the great Bohemians: a symbol of freedom and ease.
- "The Pink Satin Suit" airs tonight at 10 p.m. on Channel 12 as part of its
Speaking of...
-
Interview: Willie Robertson of A&E's Duck Dynasty
An interview with one of the guys from Duck Dynasty to preview this week's Gambit cover.
- May 11, 2012
- More »
Comments (2)
Showing 1-2 of 2
The French Quarter fest is the perfect opportunity for locals to not only enjoy the music but also the art that the quarter hosts.
like
dislike
We spent a wonderful Thursday afternoon with Johnny on our last visit. I was lured into the shop by a portrait of Eubie Blake. I asked him how he was ale to photograph Eubie. He said, "That's my porch and my rocker. When Eubie and Elizabeth came there they stayed with us". Johnny called it "thirsty Thursday", we sat, chatted, looked at his work, listened to his wonderful stories, met locals and visitors that stopped in and drank beer with him. We purchased his book and a photo of the staircase behind the shop that led up to the studio where Tennessee Williams penned "Streetcar named Desire". They were friends. He was a New Orleans jewell and an American icon. How fortunate we are to have so much of his life captured thru his eyes on file. New Orleans will never be the same, yet thru his photos it can always be seen from his unique perspective. We will return in October, we will find some way to commemorate his life while there.
Recent Comments
-
Re: Interview: Willie Robertson of A&E's Duck Dynasty
I really love the show and at this time of morning, I just posted on…
-
on May 22, 2012
via mobile
-
Re: More reality TV shows to embarrass Louisiana
There isn't anything embarrassing about Louisiana(well, our education system n politics but there getting better),…
- on May 21, 2012
-
Re: WDSU: Hedge-Morrell will return for next Council meeting
Doesn't Mitch keep veto power thanks to morrell and johnson? (5 needed to override a…
- on May 21, 2012
-
Re: Book your favorite movie at a local theater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6FXurcdaf0 - Josh Stover introduces the crowd to NOLA's first Tugg event.
- on May 21, 2012
-
Re: Foodies opens on Julia Row
Dinner of Thai Wrap and side salad was delicious, the best Cappuccino that I have…
- on May 19, 2012
-
Re: The artist's mother
Thank you, Salena. I appreciate your comments, especially after viewing your dedicated and proficient blog…
- on May 19, 2012
- More »
