Visual artist Dirk Guidry Finds Success in Acadiana
By Jann Darsie
Notes From Ella is presented with support from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation
It didn’t take long for visual artist Dirk Guidry to realize that, if he wanted to be a successful artist, he also had to learn how to be an entrepreneur.
Born and raised in Galliano, Louisiana — “down the bayou,” as he says — Guidry has a close-knit family. “Although no one was a professional artist,” he said, “my family – and my parents in particular – very much appreciated the arts.”
When young Guidry began drawing, his parents had the foresight to enroll him in a summer arts program. By junior high school, he was in a talented arts curriculum, and even took extra classes. He credits the support of his parents and those classes for leading him to the path to become a full-time professional artist.
“I am very grateful that, unlike most parents, mine did not push back against the idea of my career as a visual artist,” he said. “They wanted me to pursue whatever I wanted.”
Photo by Paul Kieu.
After high school, Guidry went to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to major in computer animation. By his junior year, he became disenchanted with this career choice and ended up dropping out for two years.
When Guidry went back to college, he majored in fine arts with an emphasis on painting. After getting his degree, he took another break to find his footing. He had to learn to strategize to get into shows and break into the field. “They don’t really teach you that in art school,” he said. He felt lucky to find a studio space so he could begin taking commissions.
Around that time, a cousin asked him to do a wedding portrait. That got him started on what has been a lucrative part of his income, live paintings of weddings. The painting is created during the event, so that guests can watch the artwork unfold in real time and the newly married couple has a beautiful keepsake to hang on their wall.
A commission to paint a mural for the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Lafayette triggered Guidry’s instincts to pay close attention to his contracts. “Generally, for this type of work, those doing the hiring have a team of lawyers,” he said.
Guidry had attended workshops on how to create a business model at the Opportunity Machine in Lafayette, a program of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. He learned to think in terms of creating systems, generating sales — and, just as important, valuing his time.
As his business grew and his networks expanded, he was asked to be on the Louisiana State Arts Council. It was through this connection and the annual Louisiana Arts Summit that he met Ella Project co-founder Gene Meneray.
Guidry sought out the counsel of the Ella Project in 2018 for help with copyright issues and with contracts. “As I said, the ones issuing the contracts sure have their lawyers,” he said, “and I need to have my own legal advice.”
At first, he assumed the Ella Project team dealt only with musicians, but was happy to know they handle other disciplines, including the visual arts. “The team has been so helpful over the years!” Guidry said. “I push the Ella Project to people all the time.”
Jordan Ardoin by Dirk Guidry
The Ella Project’s reach extends beyond New Orleans, he noted. “I know others in Lafayette that have taken advantage of the Ella Project services. They definitely have a presence in Lafayette and have conducted workshops here,” Guidry said. “I might add, our many musicians need this.”
His murals can now be seen in a number of Lafayette locations. His “Deep-Rooted” mural at CrossFit Acadiana presents joyous images of music, food and Carnival; and the side of the Evangeline Maid Bakery also highlights scenes of southwest Louisiana life as well as the bakery’s history.
Guidry’s work spans a wide range from realistic to abstract. He has created murals and paintings that highlight whimsical Louisiana themes: seafood, musicians and other images of life on the bayou. He is also known for large-scale abstract paintings rich in color and a sense of motion.
He was accepted into a gallery in 2020 on the prestigious Dragon Street gallery row in Dallas. And then Covid hit, so he was forced to operate on the internet. This led to a welcome discovery. “My sales went up considerably,” Guidry said, “People stuck at home seemed to do all their browsing and shopping online.”
At this juncture, he said, he is deciding whether to find an agent and join the commercial gallery world. It is hard, he said, to justify the 50% commission when he can continue branding himself and selling online or at festivals.
He has had a booth at Festival International de Louisiane since 2022, which has generated followers and repeat customers. He gained further recognition in 2024 by being named to the705 organization’s “Top 20 Under 40.” Each year the705, a nonprofit working to develop young leaders in Acadiana, recognizes professionals under 40 who have made significant contributions to the community.
But no matter which way he goes with gallery representation, Guidry said, he will be turning to the Ella Project for advice.
Dirk Guidry can be found on his website www.dirkguidry.com and on Facebook and Instagram @dirkguidryarts.
