The Kennedy Center is a renowned American arts institution. In addition to its famous events, its programming and funding fervidly support the arts in education. To my delight and astonishment, I was invited by the Kennedy Center to share recently at their Any Given Child Conference in Washington, D.C., supporting and encouraging the arts inContinue reading “Kennedy Center, a D.C. Art Adventure”
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A New Slant on Life: Celebrating Rodrigue and the New Year
Since establishing the George Rodrigue Life & Legacy Foundation, now eight years ago, we have reached more than 80,000 children nationwide with this uplifting, transformative programming inspired by my late husband, George Rodrigue. In 2024, I spent four months on the road sharing original Rodrigue paintings, combined with storytelling, transmitting a personal and inspiring messageContinue reading “A New Slant on Life: Celebrating Rodrigue and the New Year”
George’s Last Hours
Very early on the morning of December 14, 2013, in Houston, Texas, I sat in my Christmas pajamas on the couch in George’s hospital room and wrote a blog post about the story behind Cora’s Restaurant, George’s painting of 1975, combined with a reflection on George’s good friend, Jimmy Domengeaux, a man I never met.Continue reading “George’s Last Hours”
Thousands Inspired by Rodrigue!
During five weeks and 4,931 miles on the road, we celebrated George Rodrigue and ART this spring throughout Alabama and Louisiana, completing the biggest Life & Legacy Tour yet. A true recap would require an epic novel, so for now enjoy a glimpse below, or follow the links throughout for more on this extraordinary human-to-human,Continue reading “Thousands Inspired by Rodrigue!”
2023 Year End Recap
The numbers are in! 2023 was our biggest year yet, when the Life & Legacy Foundation with Wendy Rodrigue brought George Rodrigue’s original art and compelling story to six states — Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Florida, New Hampshire and New Mexico! This included 47 in person presentations to students at 19 schools, plus summer camps andContinue reading “2023 Year End Recap”
Jambalaya: Cajun Music in Trees
Painted fifty years ago, Rodrigue’s Jambalaya (a.k.a. Cajun Music in Trees) reflects not the popular rice dish, but rather a jumbled mixture of instruments and sounds, creating the music for a fais do do, or Cajun dance. The painting is a classic example of Rodrigue’s early Cajun Series canvases with figures. The tree, cut offContinue reading “Jambalaya: Cajun Music in Trees”
It’s Good to be the King (Rodrigue and the Washington Mardi Gras Ball)
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 NewContinue reading “It’s Good to be the King (Rodrigue and the Washington Mardi Gras Ball)”
Mississippi’s Beautiful Blues
Douglas and I surprised ourselves once again by completing all and more that we set out to do, this time on the first-ever designated Mississippi tour, inspired by George Rodrigue’s amazing, relatable life story and poignant, impactful art. I can’t help but wonder, as I often do, how in the world did we get here?Continue reading “Mississippi’s Beautiful Blues”
Rodrigue in Santa Fe, Continued
Until now, it was 35 years ago that George Rodrigue last exhibited in Santa Fe, New Mexico, when his good friend, Rosalea Murphy, hosted an exhibition of his paintings in the apartment above her famous restaurant, The Pink Adobe. George spoke often of the unique camaraderie he enjoyed with artists such as Rosalea, her daughterContinue reading “Rodrigue in Santa Fe, Continued”
Rodrigue Sculpture in Santa Fe
George Rodrigue’s Blue Dog sculptures are amongst his greatest artistic achievements. This month, in the garden of the Acequia Madre House Museum in Santa Fe, we installed George’s first public artwork in New Mexico. The 11-foot sculpture, made of steel, aluminum, and chrome, includes a unique chatoyant effect produced by three distinct shades of automotiveContinue reading “Rodrigue Sculpture in Santa Fe”