william hemmerling

    Bill Hemmerling incorporates the influence of southern folk culture in his creative, sophisticated portrayals of life in the old south.  Although he was born in Chicago and didn't move to Ponchatoula, Louisiana until 1977, it seems his heart was always here.  An untrained artist, he uses found and recycled materials of all types as a base for his unique creations.  Even the paint he uses sometimes shows up at his door, a leftover from someone's painting project.

    There is an element of fantasy in his work as he explores New Orleans life, musicians, and "Sweet Olive", a series of works which are copyrighted and depict life in the old south.  It is Southern African American folk culture - both appealing and unusual in presentation.  Hemmerling's work was featured on the 2003 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage poster and broke all previous sales records at this popular JazzFest.  Bill Hemmerling was the 2006 recipient of the Northshore Regional Endowment for the Arts' Life Achievement Award.  The award honors those who have made "notable achievements in their life because of their talent in the arts".  Hemmerling is devoted to the arts in southeast Louisiana and arts education with respect to children there.

    The images shown below are examples of Hemmerling's work.  These and others are available in giclee form at carmen's.  Hemmerling's original works are available only at his little gallery store in Ponchatoula.

"I Danced"	"Napoleon House"	"Buster"
"Baptism"	"Dew Drop"	"Sweet Olive, Live Joyfully"
	"I'll Fly Away (diptych)"