George Rodrigue’s historical masterpiece, “Indians, Cajuns and Cowboys,” pays tribute to three specific yet distinct aspects of American culture. He anchors his composition with the oak tree, the limbs spreading like an eagle’s wings to include the various landscapes and peoples of the American West. Beneath the tree, the river stretches the width of theContinue reading “An epic American painting:
“Indians, Cajuns and Cowboys”
(1988) by George Rodrigue”
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An epic American painting:
Tee Teddie by George Rodrigue
Oct 6, 2023: Begun in 1995 and completed in 2013, Tee Teddie first hung in Cafe Tee George, Rodrigue’s Lafayette, Louisiana restaurant that burned in 1997. It was the only painting to escape the flames without major damage, while interpretations of Elvis, the Blue Dog, and Cajun folklife remain lost forever. I painted Tee TeddieContinue reading “Tee Teddie by George Rodrigue”
The Last Portraits
Oct 4, 2023: The story behind George Rodrigue’s powerful last self-portrait, titled RODRIGUE, and the companion portrait of his wife, Wendy. 2013, printed on Dibond aluminum. George Rodrigue: Painting for Myself continues through January 2, 2024 at the Museum of New Art in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This exceptional collection of 50 Rodrigue artworks, including paintings,Continue reading “The Last Portraits”
Jolie Blonde by George Rodrigue
Sep 30, 2023: In 2007, inspired by exhibitions of his work at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee, and the New Orleans Museum of Art, George Rodrigue reinterpreted his original Jolie Blonde of 1974, transforming her into a contemporary and colorful presentation intended for exhibition in museums. Sponsored by Avery Insurance and organizedContinue reading “Jolie Blonde by George Rodrigue”
“Bodies” by George Rodrigue
Sep 29, 2023: Painted entirely in Carmel, California, Bodies premiered in 2005 at Rodrigue Studio, New Orleans, where George Rodrigue himself installed it throughout his Royal Street gallery. Bodies commanded its own room at the New Orleans Museum of Art during the museum’s 2008 Rodrigue retrospective exhibition. Today, the series is an integral part ofContinue reading ““Bodies” by George Rodrigue”
A Message from Wendy Rodrigue
George often noted that had he painted the Blue Dog as a young man, he would have ruined it. It was because he first painted twenty-five years of Cajuns that he recognized the personal value in ensuring, as much as possible, that the Blue Dog remained his, even as it was adopted in the heartsContinue reading “A Message from Wendy Rodrigue”
Curatorial Statement
by Dana Holland-Beickert
It was 2006 when I first met George Rodrigue and his wife Wendy to discuss a forthcoming museum retrospective of his work. George was smiling from the moment he walked in the door, and I fondly recall his thick Cajun accent and hard-to-forget laugh. The couple was charming and down-to-earth, without the slightest hint ofContinue reading “Curatorial Statement
by Dana Holland-Beickert”
Outreach Recap
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Wendy Rodrigue brought the Life & Legacy Tour to its ninth state, sharing George Rodrigue’s life and art with students in Wolfeboro, NH! With gratitude to Art teacher Stephen Arinello, Principal Corinne Rowe, Principal Brian Beaverstock, Angela Carter of Avery Insurance, our sponsors Vicki and Todd O’Dowd of Avery Insurance, plus the wonderful students andContinue reading “Outreach Recap
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire”
Electric Aura Dog (1992) by George Rodrigue
Sep 22, 2023: This unique artwork returned to Rodrigue five years after he created it and remained as part of his personal collection. Carved by his friend, master woodworker John Calder Shiell, mahogany reliefs such as this one were Rodrigue’s first attempts at creating a Blue Dog sculpture while staying true to the image asContinue reading “Electric Aura Dog (1992) by George Rodrigue”
Rodrigue’s 1971
“Miss July 4th of Carencro, Louisiana”
Sep 19, 2023: George Rodrigue’s Cajun Series paintings play an important role in the exhibition George Rodrigue: Painting for Myself on view through January 2, 2024 at the Museum of New Art in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Afterwards, the exhibition travels to the Bayou Teche Museum in George’s hometown of New Iberia, Louisiana, in celebration ofContinue reading “Rodrigue’s 1971
“Miss July 4th of Carencro, Louisiana””