As any Louisiana joke teller knows, the two lead characters of most Cajun stories are Boudreaux and Marie. They might venture out fishing with a roll of duct tape or accidentally hit a skunk with their truck. Maybe Marie catches old man Boudreaux’s attention with her pot of gumbo, or perhaps Boudreaux waits until theirContinue reading “Boudreaux in a Barrel”
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Label Art: Paintings for Wine and Beer
For many years George Rodrigue dreamed of painting the label for the famous Bordeaux wine, Chateau Mouton Rothschild. For a man who hasn’t had a drink in twenty years, this obsession might seem strange, unless one understands the tradition behind the label. Since 1945’s “V” for “Victory” designed by Philippe Julian (above, author of TheContinue reading “Label Art: Paintings for Wine and Beer”
The Cypress Tree
—With thanks to our friend Neil, who found this painting (and recognized it). Before Blue Dogs, Cajun folk life, and portraits, George Rodrigue painted hundreds of landscapes, a subject so important to his oeuvre that he continues to paint them today. (For a detailed history of Rodrigue’s landscape paintings with both early and recent images,Continue reading “The Cypress Tree”
Alligator Crossing
It’s ironic. In south Louisiana, where alligators actually do cross the road (or the levee or the yard or the bayou), there’s no warning. However, in Carmel Valley, California, where the possibility is, okay, impossible, you’re warned just in case. I guess this makes sense if you consider the context. A Cajun lives in thisContinue reading “Alligator Crossing”
Lost Within Rothko and Rodrigue
We all feel helpless at times, unable to fight our will, acting in ways we know we shouldn’t. My compulsion is particularly unfortunate, because it puts pressure on my husband to appease a request, one I’ve hounded him about for years: “Paint me a Rothko.” How insulting is that? Very. I ask George Rodrigue, anContinue reading “Lost Within Rothko and Rodrigue”
America the Beautiful (Crossing New Mexico and Arizona)
“All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.” Chief Joseph It was in a college class called ‘Religion and Social Issues’ that I first read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (1970, Dee Brown), a book that sunk my sheltered self into a depression I had not known since readingContinue reading “America the Beautiful (Crossing New Mexico and Arizona)”
Crossing West Texas (and the Moo-Cow Blues)
“You just can’t live in Texas unless you’ve got a lot of soul.” – Waylon Jennings I believe the hype: Texas is bigger and better than anyplace else. As we drive I-10 and listen to ‘Willie’s Place’ on Sirius Radio, I enjoy the long stretches of flat land and occasional hills, the seemingly abandoned towns,Continue reading “Crossing West Texas (and the Moo-Cow Blues)”
The Blue Cat
It may surprise you to know that we do not have a dog. In fact, George Rodrigue has not had a dog since Tiffany, an unwitting participant in the Blue Dog Series, died in 1980. He’s had several dogs over his lifetime, beginning with Lady and Trixie in 1950s New Iberia. However, it’s never beenContinue reading “The Blue Cat”
Remembering Lafayette’s Advocates for the Arts, Circa 1969
This post is dedicated to Mrs. Frances Love (1926-2010), a friend of the arts. When George Rodrigue speaks of supporters during the early years of his career, three names always come up: Rita Davis, A. Hayes Town, and Frances Love. Between them they spent just a few hundred dollars on his canvases, however their influenceContinue reading “Remembering Lafayette’s Advocates for the Arts, Circa 1969”
Eagle Scout
It was probably our first date when I asked George Rodrigue, “How would you describe yourself? What are your best qualities?” Without hesitating, he rattled off a list: “I am trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” “Goodness,” I said, secretly hoping I could measure up. It wasn’t untilContinue reading “Eagle Scout”