BIO
    New Orleans heritage runs through Reggie Ford. Ford grew up
hopping the street trolleys, running the streets, and finding the hidden
worlds of the mystical city. This Ninth Ward native could have played
semi-pro football, but instead chose to share his city's spirit through
his art. In such a tumultuous time, there's no greater gift to bring
himself and his artwork home.
    Ford started drawing in the second grade. "I had my first art
class in the third grade and then we moved to the Ninth ward, where
they didn't have any art programs," says Ford. "It was just go to school'
go to school, go home, and get into trouble' ...so I would draw at
home and on the weekends to keep my skills sharp...Any  little money
i would get i would put it towards art supplies. "
    Ford has always had a strong command of a paintbrush, if he
could acquire one. In 1994, with New Orleans being the murder
capitol of America, an acquaintance who was a practicing mortician-
and busy with the demands of that year-gifted his oil paints and
brushes to Ford.
    "I got some oil paints and I didn't know that you needed
thinners and stuff to paint with them, and I was painting on bed sheets
because i also didn't know you needed to paint on canvas," says Ford.
He knew he lacked professional knowledge and training. He also knew
that his talent and passion for art was a gift. He promised God that if
he could someday develop his gift he would stay away from alcohol,
smoking, and drugs. To this day Ford denies a friend who might offer
to buy him a drink. "I don't drink, " he says proudly.
    Ford has his own determination for excellence but credits
some mentors who've helped him. "When i got into the ninth grade
my art teacher's name was Mrs. Smith. She would tutor me in
reading...and then I was in her art class for four years  straight through
high school. When i graduated, one of the teachers joked that i got
an art degree. Mrs. Smith helped me get my education straight, but it
was always cool to have an art class, guaranteed 'A.' "
    AAfter high school Ford played semi-pro football as a wide
receiver for the Louisiana Bulldogs. By 2004, Ford had spread himself
thin. "A lot of things were going on... On top of all that I was getting
old and still working in a restaurant. I needed to make decisions and
make decisions fast... and that's when I decided to throw everything
into my art," he says.
    He returned to New Orleans where he continued his job at
Pat O' Brien's and devoted himself to his art. Ford's friends and
acquaintances gave him a hard time for not pursuing his football
career, but his drive to be an artist was stronger.
    Then Katrina hit. "I thought it was going to be three days and
then i could go back home. So i went to another friend's [house] in
Houston."
    When the damage was done, Ford's first thought was to get
back into the city to save some of his artwork and supplies.
    "I snuck back into the city with the media a week after the
city flooded," says Ford. "I helped them navigate around the water
and the city, because i know the whole city, backstreets and
everything, and they helped me get in and get my art supplies.
    "I pushed a 300-pound basket of art supplies 10 miles, with
my little sister's dog on top of everything." Ford got out of the city and
found refuge in Houston. He moved back to New Orleans as soon as
he could: six months later. Ford says he had a nice apartment and
plenty of friends in Houston, but he didn't have his city or his
inspiration, so he couldn't create art.
    In New Orleans, he stayed on couches of friends and family.
"I was so happy to be back home... I was selling art and that's all that
matters."
    Reggie Ford keeps the New Orleans' fun, edgy soul alive
through his paintings. He could be a world-renowned artist someday,
but the humble man from the Ninth Ward simply wants to keep
painting and living and being the gifted king of New Orleans.


    Bio taken from "La Vie Magazine"
    written by Amanda Sapp
Special Thanks to.... Michael Paul, Amanda Sapp, and
everyone at La vie Magazine
Reggie's art can be seen at...

"Dutch Alley Artists' Co-op"
912 N. Peters Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

"Sorella"- (Angelina & Christina Lockero)
2036 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

"Lazy River"
600 Decater Street, suite 101, New Orleans, LA 70116

"Angela Bell Gallery " -  Chicago,IL 60607 :-)


WWW.REGGIEART.COM