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DENISE GALLAGHER + DANSE DE MARDI GRAS

March 6, 2023
Most people know a little about Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but Mardi Gras in rural Cajun Louisiana is truly a unique experience. Traditions, handed down through generations, include masked revelers beginning at dawn, chasing chickens, playing music and going door to door begging for ingredients for a gumbo.
gray feathered bird with a red chest

The Acadiana Center of the Arts held an event in celebration of these traditions. “La Danse de Mardi Gras” was a night filled with dancing, music and storytelling. Denise Gallagher created the illustrated branding for the event, and could not help but be inspired by the colorful costumes, the pointed capuchon hats, the hand-made masks and of course the running chickens. (And if you know Denise, you know she's always happy to illustrate a chicken!) The resulting illustrated branding perfectly captured the spirit of the event!

see more of Denise's work
February 26, 2025
Some images don’t just capture food—they capture an experience. For Carl’s Jr.’s El Diablo Burger , the goal wasn’t just to showcase layers of jalapeños, habanero sauce, and melted pepper jack cheese. It was about conveying heat—the kind you can feel before you even take a bite. That’s where Photographer/Director Rusty Hill (some may say, burger master) stepped in, taking the challenge beyond the plate and into the realm of storytelling. Rather than relying on post-production effects to create the burger’s fiery persona, the shoot took a more authentic approach: lighting the jalapeños on fire, capturing the drama in real time. The flames weren’t just an afterthought—they were an extension of the burger’s intensity. The result is a photograph that feels as bold as the flavors themselves. The flicker of flames, the deep shadows, and the natural glow of the embers don’t just highlight the food—they evoke the slow burn of a spice that lingers long after the first bite.
February 18, 2025
📸 George Kamper Captures the Vibrant Spirit of AVA Resort Cancun 
Illustrated cover for Texas Medicine Magazine by Denise Gallagher
February 3, 2025
🎨 Illustrating Resilience: Texas Medicine Magazine Cover by Denise Gallagher
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