I am Sean Gautreaux. I am a New Orleans artist. I'm currently exploring the possible connections between the Mardi Gras industry and 3D design. This website is to document my progress.

I was born here in 1970. After graduating from LSU in 1996 with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts (Painting), I headed to New York to continue my artwork at Pratt Institute. I quickly realized the potential between my artwork and high end 3D design, so I switched my concentration to computer graphics. After earning my Master's in Fine Arts (Computer Graphics), I landed a job in the video game industry just across the river in New Jersey in July of 1999. In less than a year, I was promoted to Art Supervisor in charge of up to 6 artists. In November 2003 that company closed, and I decided it was time to head back home.

I was initially very discouraged with the job prospects back here. There isn't a video game development studio in the entire state of Louisiana... I then realized that there was a simple reason for this. There are very few 3D artists in the area, and that there is a serious need for my skills. So I chose to apply what I knew to the Mardi Gras industry, where modernization is gravely needed. This site contains some of my latest 3D creations in relevance to Mardi Gras.

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Update: Mardi Gras 2007

Being booked up through Mardi Gras is a good thing...I have multiple projects going on right now from here to Lafayette. I will post a new section to show the new works, but out of respect for the Krewes, that won't be until after Mardi Gras 2007.

Being art director, float designer, prop designer, prop painter, float painter, professor and coordinator will drive you nuts eventually, but I'm loving every minute of it. A big thanks goes out to those who I am currently working with this year.

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Update: Mardi Gras 2006

Well, what a difference a year makes! And the person you work for... I've just finished all of my work for the 2006 Mardi Gras season. I've been working straight since November on some new projects. After Katrina, I contacted Mr. Louis Massett, a major float builder and decorator. He brought me aboard to paint some of his floats. I did the entire Krewe of Carrollton this year, minus a few floats that did not need repainting. After Carrollton was completed, I started work on the Krewe of Orpheus (Mandeville). I painted 2 floats for that parade plus alot of "patching/matching" where the floats were damaged due to the storm. I also had the honor of painting four, small Caesar floats this year (3 maids floats and thier streetcar). Herb Jencke also had me paint a few of his floats for Krewe D'Etat.

Working for Mr. Massett has been nothing but a pleasure. In stark contrast to others I have worked for in this industry, this guy actually cares about the quality of the work and the people who work for him. I've been able to take much more pride in the work I do because of this and I painted some nice floats this season as a result. Conditions at his 9th Ward studios were quite rough after Katrina took out most of his buildings, damaged alot of props and floats and allowed looters to take what was left... The power was restored there in late January. The group of workers there amazed me as they labored since October without power to get the job done.

I will be interviewed for a documentary about Kartina and Mardi Gras the week of February 23rd. CNI Cinema is coming from New York to do an episode here. It will be the 2nd episode from their series "101 Festivals."

Alot more good things have happened this season that I cannot yet mention. I am going ahead with float designing and 3D design for the next Mardi Gras season. I will post what I can, when I can here, on this website...