Rockmore Winter Update - Big Move to LA in January!
1.21 IMG_2243 91 Little Orpan Annie, Shipwrecked- PJF w Shirley
Shirley with 8Ft Rockmore from the Finley Collection in NM"Little Orphan Annie Shipwrecked finds the Pharoah ll"
1.08 IMG_2252 90 Rosebud Egyptian Portals - PJF
"Rosebud" - Another 8Ft Finley Coll. Rockmore - Both works have 3D Objects coming out of them!

   

1.16 IMG_9118

Tee, Collectors Strefan & his mom Katheryn Fauble, Shirley & Huntington Museum Curator Jessica Smith

in front of Famous Rockmore "3 Men on a Beach."

1.12 PeteShirley1341
F. Peter Rose, NYC Rockmore Close Friend, & Shirley.
Peter, knew Rockmore from mid 70s on, and helped to protect & promote him as a W 67th neighbor and a respected NYC Art Appraiser. He has dedicated his life since 1990 to protecting sea turtles and he lives in Arizona.
We had a wonderful interview with him in December 2012. 

 

1.04 DSC01177
John & Pam Finley of New Mexico originally met Rockmore in New Orleans in the early 80s. They were his friends and patrons for the rest of his life and assembled a FANTASTIC Collection of Rockmores. They allowed us to document their artwork as well as their fascinating stories of their times with him.
1.02 1105RichShirlAndreaTee_02
Andrea Lannin was Rockmore's girlfriend from 1974-77 and lived with him in New York City and then New Orleans. She lives in New Mexico and is a recognized artist. The work in the background is one of hers. Andrea allowed us to document her Rockmores and be interviewed on camera about her relationship with Noel.
 
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Greetings!    

 

We made it to a New Year that is filled with all sorts of potential and opportunities. In 2012, we had a nationwide Rockmore AP article, a major retrospective in LaGrange GA, a show at the Cahoon Museum, a visit with George Wein, an interview film with David Amram, completed our 7th GEFQ film as we attained 501c3 status and had a nice article on Rockmore by Phd. Rick Gruber in KNOWLA. The icing on the cake was securing the Louisiana Arts & Science Museum show for 2013 that will honor Rockmore and his patron Shirley Marvin. We capped it all off with an AMAZING December road trip described below with Shirley Marvin in her 90th year.

 

1.23 Masquerade
Masquerade 1985

 

1.01 IMG_7901
Grover Shaunty left - Hank Simpson Right

The trip began in Houston to see Grover Shaunty at his Family Holiday Party where we delivered his first major Rockmore, Masquerade. Grover ran the halfway house, Counseling Place, in Houston where Rich's brother Mike lived for his final 30+ years. Rich's friend since Middle School, Hank Simpson, who would hang out with Mike every week until his death also came to the party. Shirley read a speech that was a tribute to Grover for setting up a facility that allowed so many to maintain a normal life with supervision at whatever level the resident needed.

 

1.03 SHIRLEYANDREA1109 We drove to New Mexico where we met Rockmore's girlfriend from 1974-1977, artist Andrea Lannin - left, who allowed us to film her story and share her Rockmore experiences. We then celebrated with Andrea at a lovely Holiday dinner in a favorite local Restaurant.

 

The next stop in New Mexico took us to the home of Rockmore Collectors, Pam & John Finley - pictured above, who prepared a lovely lunch and shared their Rockmores and stories. Many of these works had not been seen in 20 years and what a thrill it was as each new master work was unveiled. - See Below

 

1.07 IMG_2149 90 Egyptian Menagerie around Table - PJF
1990 Egyptian Menagerie - Finley
1.06 IMG_2196 70 Bill Russell New Orleans - 69 started - PJF
1970 Bill Russell - Finley Coll.
1.05  IMG_2188 63 Chicken Henry with Red Suspenders - PJF2
1963 Chicken Henry - Finley Coll.

 

1.15 DSC01514 82.3.22 Study from Life of Mummified Cat - PR
1982 Mummified Cat - F. Pete Rose Collection

Then it was on to Arizona, where we were entertained by F. Peter Rose, longtime Rockmore friend and protector from NYC. Peter actually arranged Rockmore's final NYC show in 1975 at The Forum Gallery. Rockmore had a series of intricate tempera works but sadly showed up at the opening inebriated and in a most foul mood and offended all of the prospective patrons and sold nothing - a complete disaster. He was to leave NYC two years later forever and return to New Orleans with Andrea Lannin who was to move on after a year in NOLA with Rockmore. Peter shared fascinating stories & Rockmores and many sketchbooks from Rockmore & Floyd (his Dad) and Gladys  (his mom) with us. 

 

We arrived at the metropolis known as Los Angeles where longtime Rockmore patrons, Dr. Thomas & Katheryn Fauble and their son Strefan hosted us as The Curator of American Art at The Huntington Museum, Jessica Smith, looked at over 75 Rockmores from the Fauble Collection. She was familiar with Rockmore from Gail Feigenbaum, at the nearby Getty Museum (formerly of NOMA) and she spent over 2 hours viewing the works and asking questions. We did not realize the full impact of what a BIG DEAL this is until we visited The Huntington Museum, Library and Gardens on their 212 acres in LA the next day. Wow - it's an amazing institution - our fingers are crossed and the connection feels good.

 

1.24 Kids Roclord1.17 IMG_0242   Our final day in LA was spent celebrating Chanukah with Rich's High School friend and Rockmore collector, Dr. Jeff Hirsch and his wife, Sherre Hirsch, famous Rabbi, author and media celebrity and their four kids. What a blessing to be a part of their animated Chanukah celebration and Sabbath dinner with their family especially since it has been over a decade, maybe 2, since our 5 kids were that age.

 

1.18 IMG_1743
Marianne, Teresa & Bill Robertson

Our Final stop of the tour was in Snyder, Texas at The Big Apple Deli, to see Rich's HS friend and new Rockmore collector, Bill Robertson and his wife Teresa and Bill's mom Marianne at their Texas Bistro next door to their Internet Caf�.

 

We came back to New Orleans just in time to rent our new place at Park Esplanade where Shirley used to live as our base in New Orleans to promote Rockmore and the GEFQ (Golden Era of the French Quarter Foundation). One of our main GEFQ Projects is to document important French Quarter artists from the 1930s-80s as well as up and coming artists today.

 

1.20 IMG_6450
Bruce Davenport Jr. & Shirley

We first met artist Bruce Davenport Jr. in Marfa Texas two years ago and were the first to ever film him at a walkthrough of that show titled "The World According to New Orleans." Bruce does Folk Art and originally did all the New Orleans High School Marching bands from memory as a displaced Katrina evacuee to Minnesota. The folks there said you have a gift and must return to the 9th Ward and pursue your dream. With encouragement and a first show from Rockmore close friend, Andy Antippas - Barrister's Gallery and mentoring from Dan Cameron; Bruce worked his way up to the top of the Artworld in 2 years.

 

He was introduced at his NYC Show by artist Dawn DeDeaux (Rockmore friend) to Art Dealer Diego Cortez, who managed Jean-Michel Basquiat, and now has managed Bruce to the top of the Artworld. Bruce has made the same improbable jump as Basquiat, from Folk Art to Fine Art, worldwide shows, and reviews in Art in America, Art News, Art Forum, New York Times and on and on. We were honored to film Bruce's life story in his 9th Ward home & studio with our moms and his prot�g�, John Isiah Walton. We hope this film will bring Bruce the same attention in the New Orleans Artworld as he has worldwide.

 

The planning for The Louisiana Arts & Science Museum 2013 Summer Rockmore Show has begun in earnest. Please let us know if you have a lendable Rockmore Table-Patio Series work (any work with a table or Patio in it) which is being considered as one possible theme. The HNOC (Historic New Orleans Collection) is interested in finding a Rockmore of jazz musician Punch Miller to be a part of their Celebration of Lou Jon Press Show - let us know if you have a Punch Miller to loan them or if you know where one is.

 

There will be one more Rockmore's on eBay Auction from The Shirley Marvin Collection this Thursday January 17th at 9PM Eastern Time. We will continue making private offerings of major works from The Shirley Marvin Rockmore Collection to those who have requested to be on that list. Please let us know if you are interested and not currently on that list.

 

1.19 GROUP01
Tee's Mom, Marie - Bruce Davenport Jr. - John Isiah Walton

A Happy & Healthy New Year to all!

 

Rich & Tee & Shirley Marvin   

 

The Noel Rockmore Project Team 

www.Rockmore.org  

 

PS. The NEXT Newsletter will be originating from New Orleans Louisiana!

 

eBay Auction from the Shirley Marvin Collection

this Thursday January 17th at 9PM Eastern Time!

Click on the images to read more about the Rockmore work!  

 

1 91.7.4.1285 Sphinx - SGM2
#1285 Sphinx Drip Art 1991 - Full Page in LaGrange Catalog
1 71.687 Madame Curie-SGM2
#687 Madame Curie - 1971 - FRAMED

 

 

1 88.10.10.1243 Circus Children with Elk - SGM3
#1243 Circus Children & Elk - 88 Grid - FRAMED
1 68.420 The Discussion-SGM2
#420 The Discussion - 1968 LARGE 19x14 work

 

1 70.1365 Gospel Tent - SGM3
#1365 Gospel Tent - 1970 1st Jazzfest Collectible
1 72.818 Two Figure Study-SGM2
#818 Two Figure Study - 1972 - Self Portrait

 

1 82.7.17.925 Wind Shear Composition- SGM2
#925 Wind Shear Composition - 82 Jet Tragedy

   

1 58.86 Girl with Hat-SGM2 & 58.9.16.69 Rooster in my Backyard-SGM2
Two works in One - #86 Girl with Hat & #69 Rooster in my Backyard

 

 

1 66.8.12.224 French Quarter Scene -SGM2
#224 French Quarter Scene - 1966 - Early New Orleans Work
1 65.2.16.190 Three Boys in the City-SGM2
#190 Three Boys in the City - 1965

 

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