Born on Christmas Day between the Great Depression and World War II, Gaynell Bourgeois Moore considers herself growing up in a time of innocence when life seemed a lot less complicated.

Gaynell was born in Ascension Parish and has lived most of her life in south Louisiana. In her upcoming book, I Saved the Best for Last, she describes that strong Cajun culture which continues to play such a large and oftentimes colorful role in her life and makes her so proud of her heritage.

While living and working in Bossier City, she ran the Craft Department of a large store called Ellis Pottery. She also taught floral arrangement classes at Barksdale Air Force Base for Ellis Pottery and painting classes at the store, including reverse glass painting. Gaynell has expertise painting art on everything from canvas to saws and even bricks. Her note cards prove extremely popular with tourists and natives alike.

Gaynell’s love of music has taken her from performing on the local scene all the way to the Ernest Tubb Show and the Friday Night Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Just recently, Gaynell had the honor of being invited to perform in France for the Gonzales-Meylan Exchange Program.

Despite losing two sons within seven months of one another, Gaynell maintains her joy for life and considers herself a late bloomer. She learned to play the guitar in her 30’s, learned to paint in her 40’s, became an international traveler in her 50’s, and cut her first music CD in her 60’s. In her 70’s, she is not only becoming a published author, but she has had the completely unexpected opportunity to sell pieces of her art in France as well having one piece going to Germany. What’s next for this Ascension Parish native?

Gaynell states, "I’m singing a special selection of gospel songs on my soon-to-be released CD as a tribute to the Lord for all He now allows me to do that I’ve so wanted all my life."

As this RRAA Artist of the Month goes on to explain with her complete honesty and deep sense of humor, "At the same time, writing a book about my life and the Cajun culture in which I live has helped me discover who I am and who I ain’t. Because of all the good which continues to now happen in my own life, I want to help others understand it can also happen in theirs…and that’s why I’ve chosen to name both my soon-to-be released third CD and my book I Saved the Best for Last."

Gaynell Bourgeois Moore’s artwork, note cards, and CD’s are available at River Region Art Gallery at Houmas House, at the River Region Art Center in Gonzales, and at area plantations. For more information about Gaynell or how to purchase advance copies of her upcoming book and her third CD, contact Gaynell Bourgeois Moore directly at 225-647-5577.