Paul

Big waves today on Pensacola Beach as Hurricane Gustav churns through the Gulf of Mexico. Pensacola is slammed with evacuees, as are all cities outbound of Louisiana. The skies are dark, but the dramatic clouds and big surf make for a beautiful landscape from my perspective just outside the danger zone. I hope all my…

We crawled through the night in evacuation traffic, eastbound on I-10 to Pensacola Florida. It only took 11 hours from Baton Rouge, but we were rewarded with a gorgeous sunrise on Pensacola Beach. This is Gustav's leading edge, swirling northwest as it bears down on the gulf coast.

About a week and a half ago I was in Yangshou China watching the cormorant fisherman. It already seems like a world away, but the image is fresh in my imagination. I'm certain I'll be visiting this scene often. We loaded up and turned east out of Baton Rouge. We made it to Slidell Louisiana…

Baton Rouge turned out to be a high-intensity workshop. We squeezed three days of painting into two long ones and everybody decided to evacuate. Gustav held out for the weekend, but seems determined to come this way eventually. It made this group paint furiously with nervous and fun energy. Some real talent in this bunch.

Teaching is such hard work, but so gratifying! I always get best students! This is about half of my Baton Rouge workshop. The other half is either painting or boarding up windows! Me, I'm happy to keep doing what we've been doing!

Gas ran out in New Orleans yesterday. They are expecting more today though. Baton Rouge gas prices have risen significantly since we arrived. The crush of traffic has gridlocked the streets and we are told that escape may already be impossible. Contraflow of interstate traffic may begin today, making both sides of the highway outbound…

Baton Rouge must be the place to be! Traffic from all parts of southern Louisiana has poured into town, making driving almost impossible. Gustav is a category 3 hurricane now and still taking aim at new Orleans. Many of my workshop folks want to go extra time today and bug out tomorrow to get their…

Vanilla Hazelnut coffee was my choice this morning! I chose wisely! The beignets were better than "Nawlins" famous Cafe du Monde. Once upon a time I lived a few blocks from Jackson Square in New Orleans. I walked there every morning for chickory coffee and beignets. Coffee Call brought back the best parts of those…

With jetlag still lingering, Baton Rouge's legendary Coffee Call is a welcome beacon of light in the early morning. It's only a block from our workshop, so we'll be making frequent visits!

Juban's restaurant in Baton Rouge is exactly what you'd hope for in a five-star Cajun place. The "Black & Craw" was extremely rich, but very tasty. I'll be walking a few extra miles for this indulgence.