Buddy
Today, is my Paw Paw’s birthday.
He has passed on, currently residing in heaven and in our hearts.
He is someone, who was and has always been my greatest reference and inspiration as an artist.
I thought it would be perfect to take this day to reminisce about him and my fondest memories of him—especially how they inspire me in my creative practice today.
My Paw Paw, Leroy “Buddy” Vignaud, was a Master Plasterer in New Orleans.
He learned the craft from his father, my great-grandfather Etienne Vignaud.
My grandma would tell me all about the craftsmanship involved in creating the crown moldings and sculptures that adorn the interior and exterior pillars and walls of the homes in New Orleans..
My grandpa worked on several Catholic Churches in New Orleans, including the iconic St. Louis Cathedral located in the French Quarter.
Every time we would drive to Slidell my mom or grandma would point out the Castle on the Irish Bayou and tell me and my sister how Paw Paw worked on that Castle.
Buddy was featured in Images of America — African Americans of New Orleans by Terry Flicker and Phoenix Savage.
It was here where I learned that my Paw Paw also created the “cornice work, plaster medallions, and crowns at the Seanger Theatre.”
My grandpa would never brag about these accomplishments or his contributions to the famous architecture that makes New Orleans such an iconic, historic city.
In fact, I would learn about my grandpa’s work and his work ethic from my grandmother and my mom.
My Paw Paw was proud to take care of his family—to provide for them, and to create opportunities for them such as, having the ability to pay for college, and to own a home.
My grandma, Rose, would tell me how Paw Paw would leave for work around 7 in the morning, Monday through Saturday, and come home around 5 every evening.
He would read the newspaper, have dinner, and go to bed.
He would wake up around 2 or 3 am in the morning, work on payroll, or on his drafting table, until about 4 or 5am to sleep, and then get back up and out the door at 7am again.
In spite of having a 9th grade education, Paw Paw was the smartest man I’ve ever known.
He ran his own contracting / plastering company, owned rental properties, flipped houses, and owned his own businesses.
He taught me, at a young age, to think for myself—to trust my own judgment, my own sense of what was right and wrong.
I’ll never forget, coming to his house after attending CCD class, which is basically Sunday school.
It was my first year, and I was in kindergarten.
As usual, when I came into the house, I kiss my grandma and my grandpa.
After I gave him a kiss and told him “hello,” he asked what I’ve been up to.
I told him I just came from CCD class.
The first thing out of his mouth was, “Don’t believe anything those people tell you.”
I was shocked.
My (non-verbalized) thought was, “why am I going?” lol
For it definitely wasn’t my personal choice at the time lol.
But my Paw Paw continued, saying, “Listen to what they say, and think about it. Ask yourself, does this sound true? And if it does, believe it. If it doesn't sound true, then don’t believe it.”
It was such an important, simple, and powerful statement, that I’ve kept my entire life and apply it towards everyone and everything.
In that moment, he taught me to think for myself.
Most importantly, he taught me to trust myself.
Trust myself, over anyone else.
Trust my own judgment. And question things.
When I think about Paw Paw, he was a hard worker, a master craftsman, and a family man.
Family was so important to him. Everything he did was for his family and the people he loved and cared about.
By his actions and by how hard he worked, he showed his love.
He would take the time to talk to us—all his kids and grandchildren—teaching us everything he knows, everything he learned along the way. (Whether we wanted to hear it or not). :)
Even though he is no longer here, physically with us, I know what he would say.
I know what I need to do.
And, I know what is most important.
When I paint, I wear paint clothes, just like him.
I build my own stretcher bars, with my hands just as he built all of his properties.
I sketch ideas on my drafting table, just like him… remembering him, and his ability to think, envision an idea, draw it out and create it with his bare hands.
I know I can do anything, because of him.
I know to go for what I want and to create the life I would like to live, because of him.
I know to think constructively because of him—”think in the positive” as he would say… and to work to not only build a good life for the ones you love, but hopefully, most importantly, a legacy that thinks about the next generation.
As an artist, I am often asked, “where do I find inspiration?”
It’s a huge question, that could be summed up easily as, “anything and everything.”
Inspiration for art, or for our greatest work, our lives—comes from everywhere.
Inspiration changes from moment to moment, and from day to day.
But, one of my pillars of inspiration, in art and in life, comes from this very special human being, and angel—Leroy “Buddy” Vignaud.
As I create, and work, I think of him often.
I remember visiting him on his “jobs,” where he would be fixing up a house or doing work on his commercial building.
He inspires me to physically create things with my art— to work diligently, with passion and pride.
He inspires me to create a space where my son and nephews could play, near me, while I work.
He inspires me with his energy, his fearlessness, and courage to be who he is, and to live life, his way.
He inspires me as an artist, a mom, and as a wife.
I am so very grateful for him.
Happy Heavenly Birthday Paw Paw.
