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”
Tag Archives: Blue Dog
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”
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”
Rodrigue on Tour! Film Clips from Florida & Alabama Schools
It was 78 years ago, on March 13, 1944, that my late husband, George Rodrigue, was born to Marie and George, Sr. in New Iberia, Louisiana. After more than twenty years of marriage, they had given up on having children. Yet along came George, who brought magic to their lives, and later, to my life,Continue reading “Rodrigue on Tour! Film Clips from Florida & Alabama Schools”
Priceless Puppies
It was twenty years ago, while halfway joking, that I surprised George Rodrigue with a white porcelain vase produced by artist Jeff Koons of his 3-D artwork, Puppy. George was unreserved in his criticism of Koons, and yet I also sensed his fascination with the artist who, among other things, fetches millions of dollars forContinue reading “Priceless Puppies”
Walk With Me to the Future
It was while bedridden with polio that George Rodrigue (1944-2013) discovered painting. Unable to walk, and highly contagious with a disease feared by parents everywhere, he remained at home throughout much of the third grade with only his mother for company. His father, George, Sr., supported his family from the road while working as aContinue reading “Walk With Me to the Future”
Teachers (And Why It Almost Didn’t Happen)
Presenting to teachers presents an unusual challenge. After all, that is their role with their students during hundreds of classes each year. Last week, during the Oklahoma A+ Schools “Not Your Average Conference” at the University of Central Oklahoma, teachers from seventy arts-integrated schools laughed at me, or rather with me, when I asked duringContinue reading “Teachers (And Why It Almost Didn’t Happen)”
What’s With This Dog?
George Rodrigue’s Blue Dog artworks became a phenomenon, as well as a portal to creative freedom for the artist. On his canvas, along with drawings, sculptures, and digital expressions, the surrealist impulses within his Cajun paintings flourished beyond imaginary Louisiana settings to include the broad expanse of George’s mind, unlimited by a culture orContinue reading “What’s With This Dog?”
I Am What I Grow (Resolve to Begin)
How many times have I started essays in the seven years since George passed away only to abandon them without finishing? Too many to count. But this time it’s serious… Part of my New Year’s resolution is to post at “Musings of an Artist’s Wife” (est. 2009), now a program of the Life & LegacyContinue reading “I Am What I Grow (Resolve to Begin)”