Besides music, photography has always been one of my fascinations. Several of my friends in Richmond were excellent photographers and one of them, Willie Anne Wright, used to ask me to pose for her pinhole photographs. Richmond was bustling with artists, and many of them were students at Virginia Commonwealth University. Around the University, which is in downtown Richmond, there were art movie theaters, coffeehouses, cool restaurants . . . When I was 16, a friend of mine, Raleigh Powell, lent me a Pentax camera with several lenses. I had never had anything but Brownie cameras before, though I had gotten to play with my father’s Polaroid camera with great interest when I was around 12 years old. This Pentax camera gave me a new way to make art out of everything I was seeing. There was a portrait lens that I used almost exclusively because I loved the way it put the object of interest into focus and left the rest soft and slightly out of focus.

Raleigh also loaned me darkroom equipment and showed me how to develop pictures. I made a makeshift darkroom in my mother’s basement and spent hours down there developing my craft. I tried to capture the beauty and soul of the subjects, then develop the images on Portriga Rapid warm-toned, soft, matte paper. I also spent hours sepia toning the images and even hand coloring them with Marshall oils, a skill taught to me by my friend, photographer Marsha Polier. Here in this gallery is a sampling of my photographic journey.

As soon as I married Marc Savoy, we started a family and my focus shifted from photographing my friends to photographing my home and children. Besides the books I was writing and my traveling with music, my family was my world. I was never a fan of stiff, posed images, so I tried to catch them when they were being their natural selves. Then, I would go into my new darkroom, “The Buvette,” and develop the negatives and print the images on my Portriga Rapid paper. The warmth of this paper portrayed the images as I felt them.

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• 1 / 24
  Ann and baby Sarah - motherhood self portrait
  I decided to take a self-portrait of me as a somewhat frazzled, housebound mother. The antique wallpaper that I had brought to Louisiana from Richmond was a perfect backdrop. I set up a tripod and would set the camera timer and run back to my place. I had cut my hair in a random, crooked way because I thought it expressed my feelings at this time of my life—crazed but happy, and beginning to feel the difference between being single and being a married mother. I hand-tinted the picture, which I had printed on soft Portriga Rapid paper, then I hand-colored it with Prismacolor pencils.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 2 / 24
  Baby Sarah sneaks up on accordion
  Sarah was a beautiful baby and I loved seeing her crawl up to see what this unusual instrument was.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 3 / 24
  Baby Wilson crying as Sarah enters
  One day, while trying to get baby Wilson to take a nap, Sarah decided to sneak into the room and pester him. Seeing him cry, placed against the antique rose wallpaper in his room, Sarah’s guilty face and the dimly lit room in the forefront was a visual that I had to capture.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 4 / 24
  Children play while Marc entertains them
  This little vignette of a young, barefooted Marc happily playing his accordion in the morning light while Sarah and Joel played at their little table was a charming scene of contentment.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 5 / 24
  Cookout in yard with Marc, Bill, and Sarah
  My husband Marc loves nothing more than taking his black pots outside to cook over an open fire. He peels the vegetables with his pocket knife, throws everything into the black pot, and an hour later an amazing meal emerges. Here on this beautiful fall day, he is sitting with our friend Bill Shepherd. Sarah went out to see what they were doing.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 6 / 24
  Easter: Sarah and Joel on bentwood
  This Easter morning Sarah and Joel were dressed in their newly made Easter finery—Sarah in a dress her grandmother Mabel had made, and Joel in a double-breasted jump suit I had made. Sarah loved to take care of Joel and they looked as if they came out of another time.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 7 / 24
  Family on Swing
  Garrison Keeler, of Prairie Home Companion fame, sent his stepdaughter Malina to stay with us for a few weeks as a sort of “study abroad” experiment. We all went to Bayou Country, to the home of accordion- and boat-builder Errol Verret. In his yard, under a beautiful oak tree, there was a handmade swing for two. I love the joy and motion in this photo of Marc pushing Malina and Wilson in the swing.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 8 / 24
  Gabie with fiddle
  Our youngest daughter Gabrielle, dressed and ready for her fiddle recital.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 9 / 24
  Gabrielle and antique screen
  Gabrielle was standing in front of a beautiful fabric-covered antique screen in her new French-sewn spring dress—the light was so soft and she looked so beautiful.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 10 / 24
  Gabrielle in French dress
  I made a dress from a vintage pattern—very complex in style—out of white batiste for Gabrielle’s first communion at her Catholic school. Then I hand-colored the photo with Marshall photo-coloring oils.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 11 / 24
  Graduation
  I wanted to capture the gleam of joy in little Joel’s face, all dressed and ready to graduate from his nursery school, Humpty Dumpty.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 12 / 24
  Greeting Daddy in the morning
  I came upon this scene of beautiful light and the love and excitement on everyone's faces as they anticipated their Easter baskets. Joel is wearing a little double-breasted jump suit I made, and Sarah is wearing a dress her grandmother Mabel made. The vintage linoleum and old radio take the image to another time.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 13 / 24
  Joel Savoy
  I asked Joel to sit still in a chair so I could take his picture, but he had to have his truck to entertain him. I had made this sailor suit. After developing the photo on Portriga Rapid paper, I sepia-toned and hand-tinted it.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 14 / 24
  Marc and baby Joel
  A father’s love for his first-born son—and Joel is wearing one of Marc’s baby dresses.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 15 / 24
  Marc and sailor Sarah
  Marc relaxing on the floor playing with his precious baby Sarah in her vintage sailor top.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 16 / 24
  Marc on Porch
  Marc on the open porch of his grandfather’s house (now our house) playing the accordion.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 17 / 24
  Marc shows Sarah accordion
  Marc showing baby Sarah the accordion—I love the look on his face as he shows it to her.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 18 / 24
  Sarah and newborn Joel
  Sarah holding her newborn brother, Joel, of whom she was so proud.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 19 / 24
  Sarah in garden
  Sarah looking like a wild thing out in the garden
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 20 / 24
  Sarah in the fall
  Sarah’s amazing face, out in the yard and wearing her fall coat
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 21 / 24
  Sarah plays accordion by fireplace
  Sarah playing a tiny red accordion in front of our fireplace
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 22 / 24
  Sarah with stuffed cat
  Sarah wearing one of my childhood dresses, holding a stuffed cat, in front of vintage wallpaper
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 23 / 24
  Wil hammock
  Wilson sound asleep on the hammock
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 24 / 24
  Wilson staring at ocean
  Wilson poised on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, trying to make a decision about whether or not to go in the water. His little body looked so strong and firm. You can almost hear what he is thinking.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.

These portraits are simple images of beautiful people I have loved. There are many more where these came from. Portraits of people showing them and all their inner beauty are my favorite expressions of this art.

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• 1 / 14
  Mike Seeger
  Musician and folklorist Mike Seeger, a great friend who visited us a lot in Louisiana
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 2 / 14
  Anne in streets of Scotland
  One of my best childhood friends and a fine artist, Anne Wright, when we visited the UK together.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 3 / 14
  Portrait of Bill
  Bill Drayper and I used to play 1920s jazz songs together. He would make me tapes of all kinds of amazing and odd music. I first heard about Joe Venuti and Django Reinhardt from him.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 4 / 14
  Claudia in college play "The Boyfriend"
  Claudia Silverman, a dear college friend and my roommate in Paris, in her costume for school play at Mary Baldwin College, “The Boyfriend.”
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 5 / 14
  Django Jane
  My sister Jane Allen Welle, on Virginia Beach.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 6 / 14
  Gina
  One of my best childhood friends, Gina Corvino Denniston, as I knew her in high school in Richmond.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 7 / 14
  Girl with Cat
  Beautiful fellow student at Mary Baldwin College, sitting in yard holding a white cat.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 8 / 14
  Les Blank
  Film maker Les Blank came to our house in Louisiana many times. He was always intrigued by Cajun culture. He made, with Marc’s involvement, Spend It All, Yum Yum Yum, Marc and Ann, and J’ai Ete Au Bal. Here, he is sleeping on our porch swing with a kitten resting on him.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 9 / 14
  Linda Ronstadt and Mary
  Linda Ronstadt with her new baby, Mary, hanging out at the Arhoolie annual barbecue in Berkeley.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 10 / 14
  Marsha
  Marsha is a wonderful photographer and artist. She showed me a lot about tinting photos and darkroom technique.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 11 / 14
  Martha Taylor Jones
  Martha Taylor Jones: dear friend, college buddy and Richmond roommate, now an artist in Williamsburg, VA.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 12 / 14
  Raleigh and cigarillo
  Raleigh Powell: photographer, musician, artist, doctor, mentor
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 13 / 14
  Scottish Johnny
  John Gould: Scottish friend when I lived in London.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 14 / 14
  Wendy
  Wendy York: a new friend I met at Mary Baldwin College.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.

Richmond, Virginia, is an old city full of Gothic mystery and old buildings, cobblestone streets, art, theater . . . Most of my friends there were musicians and artists, and there was a vital coffeehouse scene there, too. Churches would open coffeehouses to give teenagers safe places to go, serving coffee, tea, cookies. I spent my weekends playing my guitar in these coffeehouses, mostly the small ones at local churches but also the Cary Street Coffeehouse and the Prism in Charlottesville (when I was in college).

These were great places to develop musical skills in a warm, accepting scene. Other Richmond activities with my friends included hanging out by the train tracks, at old depots, by the James River, in ancient graveyards . . . We would make films of each other on our 8mm film cameras, edit the films with splicing tape and razor blades, then watch them and play albums to go with them.

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• 1 / 11
  Raleigh and the VW van he decoupaged
  Raleigh Powell with his VW van, which he had decoupaged, on Mary Baldwin College campus in Staunton, VA.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 2 / 11
  Ann and Lyle Baskin play folk in Ashland gym
  My cousin Lyle Baskin and me playing folk music in Ashland, VA, in 1966.
  Photographer unknown. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 3 / 11
  Ann Allen, by Raleigh Powell
  Here, I am captured playing a vintage Gibson in an attic in Charlottesville, VA.
  Photo by Raleigh Powell. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 4 / 11
  Anne and Podlewski
  Anne Wright has been a dear friend since childhood. We have traveled together to London twice, corresponded, created art. Today, Anne is a specialist on dragonflies and lives in Richmond. Our friend Podlewski is deceased.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 5 / 11
  Blues musician, Cary Street Coffeehouse
  This is a friend of mine who had a huge musical influence on me. He was a wonderful blues player and a creative whirlwind.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 6 / 11
  Carla Schaff and Ann Allen singing in coffeehouse
  I used to play in all the area coffeehouses in Richmond in the late 1960s–early 1970s. Here I am with Carla Schaff posing for the paper.
  Photographer unknown, Richmond Times. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 7 / 11
  Grandpa Charlie and Wil
  My son Wilson with my beloved maternal grandfather, Charles Clayton Chappell, in Rockville, VA.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 8 / 11
  Jane and Curran
  My sister Jane and I have always been very close. Here she is with her first child, Curran.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 9 / 11
  Musician at Deserted Depot
  Musician friend at an old train depot in Richmond, VA
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 10 / 11
  On pond at Milbeth
  My grandparents had a pre-civil war estate outside of Richmond. We loved staying there, rowing on the pond, making campfires. This world had a huge effect on my life and perspective.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 11 / 11
  Raleigh with autoharp
  Raleigh Powell playing autoharp at the Prism coffeehouse in Charlottesville, VA.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.

When I moved to Louisiana in 1976–1977 I immediately began to photograph the stark landscapes and the musicians I met. Much of this work was done to go into the books I was writing: Cajun Music: A Reflection of a People, Volumes 1 and 2. The first of these books took me ten years to complete, visiting and interviewing the musicians, taking the photos, developing the photos in my darkroom, transcribing the interviews and the Cajun music and songs that went into the books. At the same time, I had four children and was touring the world playing Cajun music with my husband and Michael Doucet as the Savoy Doucet Cajun Band, with my all-woman band the Magnolia Sisters, as the Savoy Family Band, and as Ann Savoy and her Sleepless Knights. When I held the finished product of my book in my hands it was like a miracle. I have obsessively photographed the musicians in their homes, the landscapes, the old buildings, and the overall atmosphere of Louisiana since I arrived in 1977.

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• 1 / 23
  The Buvette
  The buvette, or drinkery, behind the Savoy home.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 2 / 23
  Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoin with his horse
  Alphonse “Bois Sec” Ardoin, Creole accordion player, at home with his livestock.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 3 / 23
  Ambrose Sam with accordion and cocker spaniel
  Ambrose Sam—who played a style of Louisiana French music called LaLa—at his house in Lawtell, joined by his cocker spaniel and several peacocks on the roof.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 4 / 23
  Ardoin Family
  Members of Alphonse Ardoin’s family photographed at a boucherie (hog slaying) at his farm.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 5 / 23
  Bébé Carrière at his house in Lawtell
  Bébé Carrière, Creole fiddler, in his kitchen in Lawtell.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 6 / 23
  Calvin Carrière at his home in Lawtell
  Calvin Carrière of the Lawtell Playboys playing a tune in his backyard.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 7 / 23
  Canray Fontenot at his home in Welsh
  Creole fiddler Canray Fontenot at his home in Welsh.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 8 / 23
  Children's Mardi Gras
  Children’s Mardi Gras in Basile
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 9 / 23
  Country bar
  
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 10 / 23
  D.L. Menard
  D.L. Menard, the “Cajun Hank Williams.”
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 11 / 23
  Dennis McGee, Sady Courville, and Marc Savoy
  Fiddlers Dennis McGee and Sady Courville with Marc Savoy at Marc’s grandfather’s farm in Eunice.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 12 / 23
  Digging sweet potatoes near Chataignier
  Sweet potato diggers near Chataignier
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 13 / 23
  D.L. & Marc
  Marc Savoy and D.L. Menard playing music for a house party at Joel Savoy Sr. ’s farm in Eunice.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 14 / 23
  Evangeline Theater in New Iberia
  
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 15 / 23
  Freeman Fontenot
  Creole accordion player Freeman Fontenot in Basile.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 16 / 23
  Marc Savoy at counter of Savoy Music Center
  Marc Savoy with his Italian model Acadian accordions at the Savoy Music Center in Eunice.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 17 / 23
  Oak Tree
  Live oaks in Grand Coteau
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 18 / 23
  Santiago Jiménez visits Eunice
  Tex Mex accordionist Santiago Jiménez when he visited Eunice to play at the Liberty Theater.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 19 / 23
  Savoy Fireplace
  Living room of the Louis Savoy homestead with a sponge-painted mantel and a painting by roaming gypsies.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 20 / 23
  Savoy Homestead
  Louis Savoy homestead as first seen by me when I came to Louisiana. I knew when I saw it, it would be my home.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 21 / 23
  Wade Frugé Mardi Gras
  Wade Frugé, early Cajun fiddler
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 22 / 23
  Washington house
  Beautiful old house in Washington, LA
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 23 / 23
  Wedison Reed, fiddle builder
  Wedison Reed who constructed his own fiddle out of surprising materials like Formica®—He hand-carved the wooden ones with his pocketknife.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.

Since most of my friends were artists, we took photos of each other quite a bit. Later, when I started playing music professionally, we were photographed for album covers, etc. I am honored to have been photographed by so many wonderful photographers.

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• 1 / 14
  Ann in striped tights, by Jillian Johnson
  Posing with the Magnolia Sisters at Jane Vidrine's home in Mamou—imitating the famous portrait of the woman in striped tights by New Orleans photographer Bellocq.
  Photo by Jillian Johnson. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 2 / 14
  1975 Ann, by Raleigh Powell
  In my Fan District apartment on Stuart Ave in Richmond, VA.
  Photo by Raleigh Powell. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 3 / 14
  A bad day self-portrait
  
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 4 / 14
  Ann, by Gabrielle Savoy
  Playing a chrome-body guitar in the loft of "The Buvette" in Eunice, LA.
  Photo by Gabrielle Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 5 / 14
  Ann in office, by Mildred Robinson
  In my home office
  Photo by Mildred Robinson. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 6 / 14
  Ann Mardi Gras
  Playing a Mardi Gras ball at St. Thomas Moore Church in Eunice, LA.
  Photographer unknown. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 7 / 14
  Ann on Hatteras, by Marsha Polier
  Posing in a 1920s bathing suit on beach at Nags Head, NC.
  Photo by Marsha Polier. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 8 / 14
  Ann on porch playing fiddle, by Lucinda Lambton
  On the front porch swing playing the fiddle.
  Photo by Lucinda Lambton. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 9 / 14
  Ann playing red accordion, by Ed McKeon
  Playing my red accordion at the Rhythm and Roots festival in Escoheag, Rhode Island.
  Photo by Ed McKeon. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 10 / 14
  Ann with Rolleiflex, by Lucinda Lambton
  On a photo spree with British friend Lucinda Lambton in Feliciana, LA.
  Photo by Lucinda Lambton. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 12 / 14
  Ann & Marc in front of house, by Philip Gould
  With my husband Marc, posing for a Savoy Doucet album cover in front of our home in Eunice, LA.
  Photo by Philip Gould. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 13 / 14
  Marc & Ann in Early L.A.
  Before I married Marc, we went on a mini tour of the west coast in the Los Angeles area. This is me transitioning between Richmond and Louisiana.
  Photographer unknown. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 14 / 14
  Marc and Ann get married, by Marsha Polier
  Just married!
  Photo by Marsha Polier. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.

The drawings here show another way I tried to express my inner feelings throughout my life. I kept endless journals and illustrated them to better express myself. I would color the images with my wonderful Prismacolor pencils. Going into the Richmond art supply stores and purchasing a few new colors to add to my Prismacolor collection was a big thrill. All the colors! Many of the drawings were done with a Rapidograph graphic arts pen that I cherished. It had a tiny point, and I could write an amazing amount of info onto a postcard with it, too.

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• 1 / 14
  Motherhood
  I am holding Joel, and Sarah is reaching up with a hand full of crayons. The back door is locked with a sign: “Don't use.” You see Marc in the backyard on his tractor cutting grass. It is summer, hot, and I am feeling very cooped up. The little house in the back yard is called "The Buvette." Jeanie McClerie and Ken Keppeler were living in that little house at the time.
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 2 / 14
  At the Jazz Fest 1978
  I am standing beside Marc, who is wearing a Cajun Country baseball hat. Marc has just made dark roast coffee in a little drip coffee pot and served it in a demitasse with a rose on it—the cup lots of Cajuns used. In the back of my mind, I am seeing the highway that brought me to Louisiana and an Acadian house with a live oak in the yard. I have just bought an acorn basket at Jazz Fest and am wearing my favorite cotton dress with butterfly appliqués. In French, I am thinking “It is no longer necessary to leave.”
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 3 / 14
  Because I Want To
  I come here because I want to come here—I am peeping out from behind some branches. The idea is that I can do whatever I want, go where ever I want . . . the wonderful feeling of being free and independent.
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 4 / 14
  Changing face - a melodrama
  Sometimes it is necessary to present yourself in a different way than you might naturally present yourself. This is difficult to do, for me . . . like ripping your soul in two.
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 5 / 14
  Heart Divided
  This is me wearing my favorite black corduroy coat that I got in Paris. I am standing between two of my worlds: sophisticated Paris, and my cozy Louisiana home. In my heart is my baby Sarah, grounding my love.
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 6 / 14
  In my Richmond Apartment
  “But where is the boy man Baptiste?” - I am in my apartment in Richmond's Fan District surrounded by my favorite things—seashells, art supplies, snow globes, my first Martin guitar, madonna lilies, books I love—the only thing missing the man I love . . .
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 7 / 14
  Journal Page
  I am holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers, pondering how, whenever I would get tired my thoughts all got out of proportion, distorted.
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 8 / 14
  Listening to music in Paris
  I am leaning out of the window of my Paris apartment, listening to a Joni Mitchell record on my cassette player—the elements of the drawing reflect the words of the song.
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 9 / 14
  Marc and Ann
  We are outside in front of Marc’s grandparents' old house, which we have just bought. Marc is wearing his ever-present flannel shirt and red cap, and I am in my black corduroy trench coat and rubber boots. I never completed the drawing.
  Photo by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 10 / 14
  New Moon
  This is a drawing of our new old house, shown from the east side. Little Sarah is in the yard staring at me, in her vintage sailor top. There is a new moon in the sky, a symbol of my new life in Louisiana.
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 11 / 14
  Paris Journal Pages
  A gorgeous cathedral is on the left. A very open face reveals its soul on the right page. She is wearing a corsage of orchids on a satin ribbon around her neck. Her dress is pale pink chiffon.
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 12 / 14
  Savoy family on a walk
  This was drawn before Gabie was born. Sarah is wearing an imagined green corduroy suit with an appliqué of Saturn on the pocket. We all have on rubber boots because the land in Fall is normally quite muddy. Joel is wearing a real coonskin cap I made for him from a coon skin that Marc tanned. I am in an imaginary coat with a beautiful fur collar and turban.
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 13 / 14
  Think About It
  I am swinging upside-down, considering how all of my interests are very self-connected—in my mind I am obsessed with all the things mentioned on the page, and then there is a large expanse just past which is reality, or “surrounding unknown” . . .
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.
• 14 / 14
  Willy and the wildflowers
  Wilson is admiring a large white vase of madonna lilies mingled with wild goldenrod. The sun is shining in . . . this must have made an impression on him because his favorite flowers are still—like mine—madonna lilies.
  Art by Ann Savoy. Courtesy of the Ann Savoy Collection.