‘New Orleans Smoking Club’ by Jamie Hayes, 1995
Rare, hand-embellished print w/ original artist remarque, oversized signature inscription, and whimsical French Quarter folk-surrealist imagery.
10 x 18 Inches
25.4 x 45.7 Centimeters
20.5 x 28.8 x 2 Inches (framed)
Very unique offset lithograph image in "Mardi Gras" style with hand-drawn ink remarque.
Limited Edition (Sold Out).
Signed and dated in the plate, bottom right of print.
Hand-drawn face/smoke remarque at lower left.
Large flowing artist signature in black ink across the lower margin.
Additional stars/sun doodle work at lower right.
Handwritten “Artist Remarque” and date “Dec. 7, 2001”.
*Note: Professionally custom framed in red, acid-free matting, UV-glass and dark red molding with gold trim.
ABOUT THE ART
Blending Mardi Gras eccentricity, French Quarter folklore, and surreal caricature into a style instantly recognizable to New Orleans art collectors, Jamie Hayes (1951-2018) became one of the defining visual artists of modern Louisiana culture. His work channels the energy of Bourbon Street, jazz clubs, street performers, and carnival traditions through wildly expressive faces, playful symbolism, and vibrant color palettes that feel both celebratory and slightly mischievous. 'New Orleans Smoking Club' captures that spirit perfectly — presenting a lineup of bizarre, whimsical characters rendered in Hayes’ unmistakable folk-surrealist style, each filled with exaggerated personality and offbeat Southern charm.
What makes this example especially distinctive is the extensive hand embellishment added directly by the artist. Beyond the signed limited-edition print itself, Hayes created an original ink remarque at the lower left, added additional doodle work including stars and a sun motif, and finished the piece with a dramatic oversized flowing signature stretching across the lower margin.
Handwritten notations including “Artist Remarque” and the date “Dec. 7, 2001” further reinforce its one-of-a-kind presentation. Professionally custom framed with rich red matting, UV-protective glass, and gold-trimmed molding, the piece carries the same bold theatrical energy as the city that inspired it — functioning equally well as fine art, regional cultural memorabilia, and a vibrant conversation piece.