Sadly, Jamie passed away on June 16, 2019. It was unexpected and we are all still in shock. Jamie was a creative force, his imagination was in full swing every day of his life. Jamie would picture in his head what he wanted to draw and then put that image on paper, most times without a sketch. We had just closed the gallery and Jamie was excited about his upcoming travels. He was going to spend time drawing, painting, and writing music; even working on a documentary about his crazy life, Jamie was quite the storyteller. He will live on through his art and music. There is a song in the post that Jamie wrote for his best friend when he passed, I hope you take a listen.
Thank you to everyone for your recent purchases. We have been inundated with orders and are doing our best to get them filled, it is just the 2 of us, but we will get to all of them before the end of July. Thank you also to everyone for your love and kind words. Julian and Pam
Jamie, we miss you!
Click to play:
Michelle Wheelock
I’m saddened to hear of his passing. As a fellow dyslexic I found humor and relevance in his art.
Bev Bay Russell
Oh My God!!
We lost Jamie?? I am devastated.
I cherished my visits to his Jackson Square shop!! His art is a staple in my life that I had just begun to share with my daughter and my aunt in my last two NOLA visits. He was an intrigual part of the past ten years of my life!!!! ( although from Ohio, I have grand babies in Slidell)
My heartfelt sympathies to his family and the art community of New Orleans!!
The Art World has lost an exceptional man.
If possible can you please let me know if/where his art can still be obtained? Or where, if anywhere, I can find you on my next visit?
Also is there any way I can help? This man was a HUGE part of my NOLA world and I would like to give back!!
You have my prayers,
Bev “Gramma Bev” Bay Russell
108 Pin Oak Place
Delaware, Ohio 43015
loumel34@gmail.com
Jeff
This is very sad news. He was my favorite New Orleans artist and will be missed. I have several of his works in my house to remind me of him. Although I did not know him personally, I did meet him once or twice in his gallery over the years. RIP Jamie Hayes!
Peggy Marquez
I am so sorry to hear this sad news.
May he rest in Eternal Peace!
Deborah Cordes
Dear Pam, you recently helped me with a couple of tee shirts I ordered. I have been a tremendous fan of Jamie’s work for some time and the pieces I ordered earlier in the year mean sooo much to me. I am so sorry to hear about Jamie’s passing. I know from our conversation, that y’all had many wonderful times together. Treasure your memories, they mean everything.ed
Sincerely,
Deborah
Janessa Dawn Ringler
I am so sorry! Did not expect that! I will send you both love and healing! Sad, really sad…he was one of the good ones…..I will miss him….let me know if I can do anything to help!
Tony Aguirre
So sorry to hear of Jamie’s passing. We do however enjoy his art and ceramics in our home which will always remind us of him. RIP Jamie!
Tony & Susan Aguirre
Nancy Gallo
I was shocked and saddened by this news. Jamie has always been my favorite artist. His gallery was the first place I stopped every time I visit NOLA. My house is filled with his art.
Maureen Theriot
I’m so sorry to hear this news. His art always makes me happy. May he Rest In Peace and may sweet memories ease your sadness.
Janessa Dawn Ringler
Pam – been thinking about you both lately. I recently cleaned Jamie’s apt a few times. I feel bad I couldn’t the last time he asked, I was bottle feeding puppies. If you need anything please call me…504-729-0500
Vanessa K Bownds
I am so very sad to hear of his passing. I loved his artwork, I bought a doll from the store for a friend of mine. I always stopped in when visiting NOLA. I wish I had purchased more. My condolences to you all.
Miguel
He sat next to me on a long-haul flight from Abu Dhabi to New York back in March 2018. I was really amazed with all the stories that he shared, he was someone that just made you happy and want to listen. Rest in peace.
Mirko Todorovic
Jamie!
I was so looking forward to see you again…..the unexpected conversation we had years ago always stuck in my mind, My girlfriend and I stumbled into your gallery and were mesmerized by your art. I loved talking to you and mentioned your art, books and that chance meeting number of times. You were such a perfect fit for NO.
I will miss you and never forget you
Gloria Reche
I was so sad to hear about this. He was my favorite artist.
Sabine
Jamie wherever you are you will never be forgotten. Your personal art and books U received sabine@sabinefrank.cimfrom you are placed in the most respective way in my home in Germany and Slovenia. Thank you for the good times. Love from me, Sabine.
Janice at Muriel's
I will really miss Jamie. He was one of my local favorites at Muriel’s and was always most kind and generous. He always came in with his doctor and I wish I could remember his name. I’m very sorry about his passing and I will not forget him.
Clarice Coker
So very sorry to hear of Jamie’s passing. What a unique character he was. We came to NOLA every year in May and the shop was always my first stop. We were not able to come this year because of illness and that seems doubly sad that we missed our last chance.
J. Riesau
I am so sorry to read this. I spent a lot of time in New Orleans in the past working for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, and still travel there often to visit. I met Jamie Hayes on my first visit to Nola in 1997 and have met him several times since. A visit to the gallery and shop were always a highlight of any visit and I have many little reminders around my home and office. Always bright and cheerful; always bringing a smile. Jamie and his wonderful gallery and shop will be sorely missed.
Marion
I am so sorry for your loss.. thankful to have my Nola Mae print and one of your books! Love the whimsy! MJ
Shona Trumbly
My sympathies are with you. I met Jamie numerous years ago while at a Conference and purchased 6 of his kitties prints.My husband and I were in New Orleans in March and tried to find his gallery without success–I had forgotten his name. We probably were very close to the gallery, but it wasn’t to be Although for many years, I had not hung the prints, I finally did after we returned to the West Coast. I took a picture of them, and was going to email it to him. Unfortunately, my husband saw on gmail that Jamie had passed away. I was saddened by that news.To be so close to see him again and then knowing I never would again. Your loss must be so devastating. It seems a new chapter of his life was unfolding, and then the final chapter was written. It just seems so ironic and wrong that he is no longer able to be sharing his talent with his fans. Again, my sympathies are with you all.
Jim and Lynn
I just received the news of Jaime’s passing from a co-worker who had spent the weekend past in New Orleans. My family got to spend an appreciable amount of time with him on our last visit to New Orleans in November. As usual, he was full of life and stories, and shared with us a very old and unique piece of work from his collection. Thanks for the memories, the stories, the conversation, and of course, that art.
James Fontaine
Sad to hear of Jamie’s passing. I was in town last week and stopped by the store and to my surprise it was not there. I am an avid collector of his art and will continue to collect all I can.
He will be missed.
Rochelle yuga
Just now found that Jamie has left this earthly life in June when we passed the spot of his former shop and I was devastated. Makes me sad knowing he no longer walks this earth creating his joyous art and loving his life. I would visit him at the store a few times each year on my visits to NOLA. We had conversations about all of his glasses and he brought a big bunch of them in to show me. I appreciated his love of cool eyewear as I am a bit of a fanatic as well. REST IN PEACE my friend knowing the joy you brought others through your art and music will live on and on!😘
Rochelle Yuga Houston, TX
Stephen Cilella
I am shocked. I didn’t find out until today. I have a couple of his works the most recent was a valentine day gift to my wife which she hung in the entrance way to the family room. Another pic hangs in my office. I will miss him and his whimsical art. My deepest condolences.
Ann Flatt
My reply is indeed very outdated. I recently moved from Princeton, MA, where Jamie lived on the same street. He was always ready for a friendly and enthusiastic chat and took an interest in my family – kids and grandkids. In 1997 he learned that my husband and I were traveling to Mali to visit our son who was a Peace Corps volunteer there. Jamie brought us a bag of small colorful toys he had collected to give to the local children. Not having anything to play with other than homemade toys, Jamies’s gifts were a very welcome treat. I wouldn’t be surprised if those toys are still being shared with other children in the small village of 300 inhabitants.
When his wonderful book, The Legendary Adventures of the Flying Mingling Brothers was published he generously brought us an autographed copy. After that we traveled to Switzerland for a sabbatical year and he had moved when we returned. I lost contact after that. The reason I am writing now is that I just came across his wonderful book in my bookcase. It will be just perfect to share with my young twin grandchildren. And so, his legacy lives on as his whimsical work will continue to bring joy to yet another generation. His talent and imagination are unmatched and his kindness and generous spirit remain. We will certainly keep these memories in our hearts.
Jamie Hayes
Thank you for taking the time to write, I love that story. When we lived in Princeton our son Julian had just turned 2, he is now almost 25. I am so glad you still have the book.