Yes, this is the same cemetery seen in Easy Rider, and, it's like, was incorporated into Disney's The Princess and the Frog (Lafayette Cemetery). I came to get ideas on how to paint and weather those great big crypts from Old Glory's 25/28mm Dracula Wars range. They are beautiful models, and I've never been sure my skills were up to the task of painting them, but I think I have a better sense of what to aim for. They aren't next by any means, but a boost in confidence is a step towards tackling these giants!
We were told to stick to the tour guide, but I needed as much pictorial references as I could get so I was the laggard in the small group I was attached to. Still, in no particular order, here all are my unedited shots, starting from the outside wall:
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| There were a number of well-maintained tombs in here that I just skipped over. It's the decay I want to document. |
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| Long story short - Cemeteries are above ground in New Orleans because of the frequent flooding. Historically, coffins would come floating to the surface during heavy floods, tipping out their contents and spreading untold disease and death. |
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| Our very informed guide at right, but I wanted to see where dirt fell and accumulated on urns on pedestals. That looks like a course off-white drybrush over a brown/black |
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| These bricks are more brown than "brick red." |
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| This is the future burial site of actor Nicholas Cage. The pyramid was built over an existing tomb, keeping its means of entry (or exit, muuhahahaha) intact. |
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| This is the tomb of Homer Plessy of "Plessy v. Ferguson" fame. |
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| The tomb of Marie Laveau - Voodoo Priestess or a nurse who dressed hair on the side? |
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| Patron saint of hairdressers - note the hair ties that litter the area. They have to clean out all the "donations" people make. The triple XXXs are attempts to get Laveus to grant the wishes of the vandal. |
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| Bonus! Everyone I showed this to guessed it almost immediately. This is the Buckner House (a private residence) which was used as the exterior for the 2023 Haunted Mansion film, |
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| This is the one that illustrators drew upon for The Princess and the Frog, but alas, it was closed. Cool gate though. A wind was blowing those leaves over the gravel and was making spooky loud scuttling sounds even at 11 something in the morning. |
