George Rodrigue: Beyond Blue Dog

I never knew that famed dog artist George Rodrigue began his career painting hundreds of oak-filled Louisiana landscapes before he added people to the picture, for example, Walker Percy. (below)

Then, in the mid-70’s he painted the mythological Cajun werewolf, Loup-Garou. Red-eyed and grey-furred, this somber creature was the genesis of Blue Dog – the beloved image that would define Rodrigue’s career for the next few decades.

Now, in his Dream Series, Rodrigue looks at chaotic, post-Katrina life in New Orleans, as in Fall Colors For All. (below)

Experience the evolution of his art at Louisiana State Museum’s retrospective, Rodrigue: Beyond Blue Dog. It opens this weekend and runs until November 17. If you can’t make it to Natchitoches, visit Rodrigue’s online studio and discover the many facets of his work. You might be surprised…I was.