My Blues Brothers

Posted byPosted inAndre, Blue Dog, GEORGE'S FAVORITES, Jacques, Musings of an Artist's Wife, Portraits

George Rodrigue has painted several versions of the Blues Brothers since 1995.  Although all in private collections, the paintings from this series are among his most popular, famous within the pages of art books and as reproductions on the walls of the Blue Dog Café in Lafayette, Louisiana and Besh Steakhouse at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans.
(pictured, The Other Brother, 1997, acrylic on canvas by George Rodrigue, 48×48 inches; click photo to enlarge-)

“The Blues Brothers connection with the Blue Dog was a natural for me,” explains Rodrigue, “and I had fun, from idea to execution, painting their faces blue with the Blue Dog.”

(pictured, Blues Brothers and the Blue Dog, 2013, with George Rodrigue, Carmel, California; click photo to enlarge-)

In Rodrigue’s typical style, the Blue Dog is eye-level, like a person.  The figures are locked into a strong design, forming interesting shapes in the negative spaces.  The colors are bold, with little left of the original loup-garou inspiration.

(pictured, My Blues Brothers, 1995, acrylic on canvas by George Rodrigue, 24×30 inches; click photo to enlarge-)
As with most of his original paintings, Rodrigue did not make prints* of the Blues Brothers series.  He did, however, create two large-scale copies for himself, both on loan to restaurants.
(pictured, Blue Dog Café, Lafayette, Louisiana, 2013; George Rodrigue at his easel with an original painting, Carmel, California, 2005; click photos to enlarge-)
In 2004, in honor of his 60th birthday, Rodrigue carried the concept into real life when he joined his sons, André and Jacques, in a Blues Brothers performance during his costume party.

“We surprised the crowd,” recalls George, “when we changed from our Elvis and King costumes into Blues Brothers outfits.  Before emerging from the back room for our performance, I even shaved off my beard! 

“‘It looks like ya’ll might have practiced for this,’ said my cousin Catherine. 

“Well yes!, I told her.  It took a month of practice to get the moves down!”

(below:  do not miss this video with George Rodrigue and his sons as the Blues Brothers, New Orleans, 2004-)
Following the show, George’s long-time friend, artist Tony Bernard, joined in the fun, with a painted gift for the Rodrigue boys.
(pictured, Jacques, George, and André Rodrigue with a painting by Tony Bernard, Lafayette, Louisiana, 2005; click photo to enlarge-)
  
Still high on this experience with his sons, George could not resist creating his own version as well, incorporating the Blue Dog with Tony’s portraits into a one-of-a-kind piece for his personal collection.
Appropriately titled, It Runs in the Family, this 2005 artwork pays tribute to a father’s close relationship with his sons.  Although neither of these blue brothers became an artist, you’ll find André most days at the Blue Dog Café and Jacques at the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, where they each pursue, in their own way, a family’s legacy.
Wendy

*with few exceptions, such as the recent artworks, He Stopped Loving Her Today and Looking for a Beach House, most Rodrigue Blue Dog paintings never become prints or other forms of reproductions; instead he prefers original silkscreens, unrelated to his paintings; see examples at the new Rodrigue Studio Website–
-for the story behind the Blue Dog, visit here–

-a new Rodrigue book, The Other Side of the Painting, premieres October 2013; visit the UL Press website for details-

-for more art and discussion, please join me on facebook–

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