Seeing A Vibrant Culture Through An Artist's Eyes

                From fiddles to accordions to alligators, symbols of south Louisiana culture come to bold and vivid life in Francis Pavy’s paintings.  The Louisiana native draws his subjects from the imaginative world around him – from the tales and tunes of Cajun folk life.

                “Lots of local things creep into my work,” Pay says. “Local stories, song lyrics… whatever comes into the popular lexicon inspires my work.”  A multi-talented artist, Pavy plays the guitar and has played the accordion. Many of his paintings reflect his musical interest, and his primitive folk style is a fitting match for a musical genre that seems to find its roots in the land itself.

                Pavy began drawing and painting as a child. As a teenager the artist turned to photography, and in college he studied sculpture. When he graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in his hometown of Lafayette, Pavy was accepted into graduate school, but chose to remain at home and open his own studio. He supported himself working offshore and at a glass shop as he renovated the tin shack that houses his studio.

                After painting a few portraits, Pavy began to develop his own style of drawing and painting, almost the opposite of the rigid photo realism of portraits. “I realized that my natural way of drawing is rough and primitive,” he says. Once Pay discovered his unique style, his paintings began to sell. Within three years, he was making a living as a painter. Twelve years later, Pavy enjoys great success. His “natural style” is at home in private homes throughout Acadiana, in galleries both local and worldwide, and at Mulate’s, where his paintings decorate the walls and his designs are found on almost every t-shirt.

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