We at the City Paper stare at Charles Desaussure’s work every day — his paintings cover the pink building of Martha Lou’s Kitchen, which is right across the street from our office. His most recent addition to Martha Lou’s was a big portrait of Martha Lou herself, which smiles at people traveling up Morrison Drive toward North Charleston.
So it’s sad to think that there will be no more new paintings, as Desaussure passed away on July 16. We’re lucky that our erstwhile associate editor, Erica Jackson Curran, got a chance to talk with him in February for our cover story Sign Language. He talks about his childhood fascination with a sign painter next door, and getting his start as a full-time painter in the 1980s — you can read the whole story here.
And Amy Cameron Evans at the Southern Foodways Alliance has written a beautiful post in memory of Desaussure. Thanks to Amy for alerting us to this news when it happened.
Stay cool. Support City Paper.
City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.