In 1993, George Rodrigue’s career skyrocketed following a front page story, “How Many Dogs Can Fetch Money?,” in The Wall Street Journal (1992), along with thousands of worldwide magazine and billboard advertisements featuring his paintings for Absolut Vodka. After twenty-five years of painting the Cajuns, the Blue Dog Series granted Rodrigue, a native of New Iberia, Louisiana, an artistic freedom that saw his artwork explode in creative interpretations and global popularity.
In 1993, George Rodrigue’s career skyrocketed following a front page story, “How Many Dogs Can Fetch Money?,” in The Wall Street Journal (1992), along with thousands of worldwide magazine and billboard advertisements featuring his paintings for Absolut Vodka. After twenty-five years of painting the Cajuns, the Blue Dog Series granted Rodrigue, a native of New Iberia, Louisiana, an artistic freedom that saw his artwork explode in creative interpretations and global popularity.
That same year, the renowned New York publisher, Viking Penguin, encouraged by the widespread frenzy surrounding Rodrigue and his artwork, approached him for a book. The fictionalized story, Blue Dog, focused on a Louisiana artist, George Rodrigue, whose deceased dog, Tiffany, becomes a new entity, Blue Dog, searching for its master through his paintings.
When Congressman Jimmy Hayes approached Rodrigue late in 1993 to reign as King of the 1994 Washington Mardi Gras Ball, the artist could barely contain his enthusiasm. Yet, his book deadline loomed, and completing the paintings and story took priority. It was the honor and excitement of his rule that provided Rodrigue with the ending for Blue Dog, a publication that became legendary in the world of art book publishing, exceeding 200,000 copies in five languages.
Inspired by his forthcoming reign in Washington, D.C., It’s Good to be the King was the last painting Rodrigue completed for Blue Dog. It is the only painting in the book’s epilogue, alongside George Rodrigue’s regal, yet humble rumination:
Of course I am proud. Of course I am filled with gratitude for having come so far. But I watch the festivities with only half my soul. Occasionally my hand reaches across to the side of my throne and comes to rest on the head of Tiffany, the Blue Dog of my heart, who rides with me in triumph for all who have the eyes to know that she is with me.
Blue Dog, By George Rodrigue and Lawrence S. Freundlich, Pub. by Penguin Studio Books, 1994.
Soon after Rodrigue completed the painting, it sold to a collector in Japan, where it remained for nearly three decades. This year, Rodrigue’s self-portrait as king is on public view for the first time during the exhibition, Carnival in the Nation’s Capital: The Washington Mardi Gras Ball, at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Organized by the Louisiana State Museum and the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians, the exhibition traces more than seventy years of Mardi Gras history in Washington, D.C., as captained by the Louisiana congressional delegation.
Join me on YouTube for a brief tour highlighting the exhibition’s generous inclusion of George Rodrigue’s related artwork and memorabilia:
The following links provide additional history based on my conversations with George Rodrigue, as well as my personal experience in attending this grand, 3-day event:
King George – A history of George Rodrigue as Mardi Gras King.
Blue Dog, The Book – The unlikely story behind this landmark publication.
Blue Dog Glass – A summary of Rodrigue’s ‘cameo glass’ pieces, including the goblet presented to his Washington Mardi Gras Queen.
Washington Blue Dog and the Blue Dog Democrats – Rodrigue explains the political misconception sometimes associated with his work.
King Marion – The story behind Rodrigue’s portrait of Marion Edwards as King of Washington Mardi Gras in 1985.
Finally, here’s a great photo of George in those famous red drawers, as mentioned in the video:
Enjoy Life!
Wendy
-The Life & Legacy Art Tour resumes February 2023, taking me to schools and other venues in Florida and Texas, followed later this year by museum partnerships in Louisiana, New England, and Illinois, as we approach the 10th anniversary of George Rodrigue’s death. See the schedule.
-Please join me for “Blue Dog at Bijou” on February 9th, 2023 in Destin, Florida, hosted by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. Details and tickets here.