Paul constructs fun funky facades using repurposed wood and tin. Old chair legs and spindles, fencing, clapboard, and other materials become his structures and columns. You can commission Paul to build a replica of your house, camp, childhood home, restaurant or business into a unique original piece of art.

The Shotguns series captures the unique architecture of the south as well as the atmosphere conditions. The humidity and dampness comes through the color and movement. The air is heavy with history, change and culture of the region.

Paul Schexnayder’s paintings vibrate with color, shape and form.. Figures, animals and objects are in a constant push or pull with the back and foreground of the work. They are caught inside a a purgatory world that is poetic, lyrical and sometimes whimsical.

His King series is a simple figure with a crown gives a nod to his home state of Louisiana. It evokes the many different flags that flew over it, Huey Long’s mantra, “Every Man a King” and the royalty of Mardi Gras. The figure lives within all of these three cultural icons but Schexnayder adds a fourth, environment.

ART STATEMENT

My work explores atmospheric conditions and how it influences, changes and effects our world on a daily basis. Capturing the water vapor in the air by way of color, shape and form is my goal. Each work begins with quick brushstrokes of color in a repetitive motion like a daily prayer of mark making. My vertical brushstroke was inspired by the moss that drapes the south with old stories and fables. Like the flowering plant, my stylized moss motif weaves narratives of mystery, hidden glimpses and the passage of time. Architectural elements, flora/fauna, animals and characters are added to complete a story of that drips of the past like reoccurring dreams. Whether a metropolitan city, the western plains, or a bayou scape, these objects play a role in the concealment by reducing the sound and movements. It lowering the volume of my work, while amplifying the visual senses.

EDUCATION

1988 Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, LA  BFA-Painting & Drawing

EXHIBITIONS

2020       Café Sydnie Mae, Breaux Bridge, LA      “Above & Below”                                   solo show

2018      Clementine’s  On Main, New Iberia, LA “Schex Goes to the Movies”                  solo show

2016      A & E Gallery, New Iberia, LA     “Cirque de Gator”                                            solo show

2015      IberiaBank, Lafayette, LA              “Pop Music”                                                solo show

2014      Art for All Seasons, Lafayette, LA                                                                    solo show

2013      Zigler Art Museum, Jennings, LA                                                              group show

2012      The Daily Iberian, New Iberia, LA                                                                           solo show

2012      Ariodante Gallery, New Orleans, LA                                                            group show

2011       Little Shanty Gallery, Shreveport, LA                                                           solo show

2011       Acadiana Center of Art, Lafayette, LA   Side Gallery                                             solo show

2010      City Club, River Ranch, Lafayette, LA                                                       group show

2010      Gallery 549, Lafayette, LA                                                                          group show

2010      Galerie Eclaireuse, Lafayette, LA    “ Story Lines”                                      two-person show

2009     Louisiana State Museum, Baton Rouge, LA,  LPB Art Rocks                          group show

2009      Art of Re-use, Lafayette, LA                                                                     group show

2009     A & E Gallery, New Iberia, LA                                                                       group show

2008     World Cultural Econimic Forum,  New Orleans, LA                                         group show

2008      Festival International, Lafayette, LA         *Official Poster Artist 2008              solo show

2008     Galerie Eclaireuse, Lafayette, LA                                                                   solo show

2007-8    Governor’s Mansion, Baton Rouge, LA     “Selected Artist”                            group show

HONORS, PUBLISHED WORKS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS

2025       Author/Illustrator, The Gumbo Gators & the Swamp Circus,

              picture book, Pelican Publishing

2024      Festival Artist, Books Along the Teche Literary Festival

2024      Author/Illustrator, I Know Louisiana Colors, board book, Pelican Publishing        

2023       Festival Artist, Louisiana Sugarcane Festival

2022       Author/Illustrator, The Gumbo Gators, picture book, Pelican Publishing

2019       Author/Illustrator, In the Time of Mission and Might,

              picture book, University of Louisiana-Lafayette Press

2018       Author/Illustrator, In the Time of Shimmer and Light,

              picture book, University of Louisiana-Lafayette Press

2017       Author/Illustrator, In the Time of Joy and Wonder,

picture book, University of Louisiana-Lafayette Press

2017       Featured Artist, CCA Banquet, New Iberia, LA

2017       Founder, George Rodrigue Park, New Iberia, LA

2016       Festival Artist, Cajun Hot Sauce Festival

2015       Festival Artist, Louisiana Sugarcane Festival

2015       Featured Artist, Louisiana Life Magazine, Sept/Oct issue

COLLECTIONS

*LuLu and Paul Hillard,       Lafayette, LA

*Wyatt and Becky Collins,  New Iberia, LA

*Lourdes Hospital,                Lafayette, LA

*Dautrive Hospital,               New Iberia, LA

*Festival International,         Lafayette, LA

*Mayor Joey Durel,               Lafayette, LA

*Country Roads Magazine, St. Francisville, LA

*Dr. Andy Reaux,                 New Iberia, LA 

*Governor Kathleen Blanco, Baton Rouge, LA

*Krewe of Barkus &  Meoux, Galveston, TX

*Masterminds, Inc.,              Lafayette, LA

*Lourdes Hospital,                Lafayette, LA

*San Frantastic,                     San Francisco, CA

*Café des Amis,                     Breaux Bridge, LA

*Nonie’s Restaurant,             Tucson, AZ

*New Iberia Research Center, New Iberia, LA

*Church of Trinidad,            Honduras

*Bayou Rouge Restaurant,    Tallahassee, Fl

*Restaurant Clementine,      New Iberia, LA

*Rep. Billy Tauzin,                Washington, D.C.

*LSU Vet School,                  Baton Rouge, LA

*New Iberia Chamber of Commerce, New Iberia, LA   

*St Luke’s Hospital               Houston, TX

*Ami Spischock                    New Orleans, LA

In 2016, Paul had his first of a three part series of children’s books released. University of Louisiana Press in Lafayette published his original and creative story about the origins of the iconic Live Oak trees. The series tells a fantastical tale of how our trees began growing in the nine coastal states, the discovery and their legacy.

In the Time of Shimmer and Light, begins the series with Queen Ida Peacock, Sir Galatoire Gator and Tin Toy Hare all living on a happy island home. A shiny object is a cause of jealousy, anger and gloom for the friends but Queen Ida has a plan to restore the peace. Release date: November 2018.

In the Time of Joy and Wonder, has exceptional explorers King Royal, Blue Monkey and Trojan Horse all in a little red boat . They discover a tiny young sapling inside a beached boat. They care for and protect it until it grows into a mighty oak that spreads throughout the land. Release date: October 2017.

In the Time of Mission and Might, completes the the series with an action pack adventure to save the legacy acorns for future generations. Release date: November 2019.

Paul and his wife, Lee started the gallery in 2000 and his studio is housed in the 1884 historic building. They also rent out space to many local and regional artist who work in a variety of media. Monthly workshops, private art lessons and art receptions occur throughout the year. The gallery is currently open 4 days a week.