“Big Al” Taplet and his twin brother, “Little Al”, were born in 1934 in the sixth ward of New Orleans, Louisiana.  They lived there most of their lives. They grew up shining shoes for a living around Jackson Square in the French Quarter.  One day, “Big Al” picked up some slate roofing scraps and decided to advertise their business by painting with bright acrylic paints.  He used humorous sayings and  child-like imagery and then hung the signs along a fence near their shoe station.  Soon passersby were captivated by the colorful signs and began to buy them.  It wasn’t long before the two brothers were part of the local folk art scene.  The brothers sold signs and shined shoes.  The brothers survived Hurricane Katrina but were no longer able to live in New Orleans so they relocated to Houston, Texas, where they continue to live today.

Marcia Weber

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