Twelfth Night is coming, signaling the start of Mardi Gras 2024 in New Orleans.
Float makers are putting the final touches for this year's Carnival. Royal Artists staff are busy finishing Krewe d'Etat, Chaos, Proteus Rex and more.
Across town, artists at Kern Studios are working around the clock adding flourishes to other floats.
Here are the photos-
Royal Artists prop builder Luke Hudleston sculpts one of five mallards that will adorn a Rex float. Painters and sculptors were putting the finishing touches on the floats inside the Rex den in New Orleans.
Celebrating the life and experiences of writer Lafcadio Hearn on a new Mardi Gras float inside the Rex den.
Casey Hano, a prop painter at Kern Studios, paints parrots for the side of a Krewe of Cleopatra float at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans.
A new float inside the Rex den in New Orleans.
Almost ready to reign, the Rex float is draped in protective sheeting inside the krewe's den as they prepare for Mardi Gras 2024.
Rex floats inside the krewe's den in New Orleans on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Painters and sculptors with Royal Artists are busy at work, putting finishing touches on the floats for the early Mardi Gras this year.
Tia Flowers, a digital sculptor at Kern Studios, oversees the building of a foam rocket for a float at Mardi Gras World.
Steven Villano, a sculptor at Kern Studios, shapes styrofoam into angel wings for a float at Mardi Gras World.
Steven Villano, a sculptor at Kern Studios, shapes styrofoam into angel wings for a float at Mardi Gras World.
Casey Hano, a prop painter at Kern Studios, paints parrots for the side of a Krewe of Cleopatra float at Mardi Gras World.
Casey Hano, a prop painter at Kern Studios, paints a parrot eye for the side of a Krewe of Cleopatra float at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans.
A beam of sunlight coming through a small opening in the Rex den hits the signature Rex Boeuf Gras float.
Celebrating the life of writer Lafcadio Hearn on a new Mardi Gras float inside the Rex den.
Steven Villano, a sculptor at Kern Studios, shapes styrofoam into angel wings for a float at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans.
Food is featured on a new float celebrating Lafcadio Hearn's creole cookbook inside the Rex den.
Rex floats are mostly finished inside the krewe's den.
A closeup of a flower on the side of a new Mardi Gas float inside the Rex den in New Orleans.
Float signs waiting for Mardi Gras inside the Rex den.
Rex costumes are waiting for the riders in a dressing room at the krewe's den in New Orleans.
A giant roach plays a horn on the front of a new Mardi Gas float inside the Rex den.
Rex floats are mostly finished inside the krewe's den in New Orleans.
A new float pays tribute to writer Lafcadio Hearn, who spent time in New Orleans and later in Japan, on a new Mardi Gras float inside the Rex den.
A Rex float inside the krewe's den in New Orleans on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Painters and sculptors with Royal Artists are busy at work, putting finishing touches on the floats for the early Mardi Gras this year.