Blue Dog Paintings: Getting to Know the Artist
Every now and then, something unexpected happens in the art community. A peculiar and seemingly simple thing will turn into brilliance the world over. This is what happened to the artist of the Blue Dog. Who painted the Blue Dog? The very talented artist George Rodrigue. In his lifetime, he released a series of artworks—but none were more impactful than his first Blue Dog painting.
George Rodrigue: Getting to Know the Artist
Behind every painting, there is a story. Even though George wound up painting pictures of blue dogs, his life started very differently—and his early art might surprise you!
Early Life
George Rodrigue was born on March 13, 1944, in New Iberia, Louisiana. In his school-age years, he attended the Brothers of the Christian Schools all-male high school, now Catholic High School. Art always seemed to have a special place in George’s heart, as he began studying art at the University of Louisiana and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. After graduating, he came back to Louisiana with a new look on life—and plenty of artistic inspiration.
Early Career
Believe it or not, George’s greatness didn’t start off with blue dogs in front of interestingly abstract backgrounds. Instead, he focused on charming scenes depicting Cajun subjects and landscapes. During this era, his most famous artwork was called The Aioli Dinner. You can find it cycling between two museums: New Orleans Museum of Art and Ogden Museum of Southern Art.
End of Life
Leaving behind his legacy, wife, and two sons, George Rodrigue died of cancer at 69 years old on December 14, 2013.
Blue Dog Inspiration
When George came up with the Blue Dog, his career took a sharp turn. He went in another direction. He awed onlookers with mystery and excitement and turned the paintings into a series—each Blue Dog slightly different than the last. They say with each success lies deep passion—the same is true of his Blue Dog works. These paintings were inspired by his deceased dog named Tiffany, who was a terrier and spaniel mix. Direct Quote from Rodrigue: “The yellow eyes are really the soul of the dog. He has this piercing stare. People say the dog keeps talking to them with the eyes, always saying something different. People who have seen a Blue Dog painting always remember it. They are really about life, about mankind searching for answers. The dog never changes position. He just stares at you. And you’re looking at him, looking for some answers, ‘Why are we here?,’ and he’s just looking back at you, wondering the same. The dog doesn’t know. You can see this longing in his eyes, this longing for love, answers.” While the dog resembles his childhood pet, it seems to have a small impact on the overall influence of his work.
Where You Can See George’s Work Today?
Over 1,200 Blue Dog paintings exist today. These paintings are very expensive to the average person, so you might not count on owning an original. But don't worry! Prints are everywhere!
Buying Prints
You might be wondering if you can still buy George’s work today! You can buy prints from sites like Amazon, Etsy, and even Walmart! Granted, they won’t be authentic, but they are still eye-catching, evoking lots of raw emotion. Plus, the color will really add a pop of pizazz to any place!
Final Thoughts
Now you know more about the infamous Blue Dog paintings. Mr. George Rodrigue, though gone, lives on through his classic and modern artwork—sprucing up homes and giving boring walls all sorts of character. Now that you know more about the infamous Blue Dog, are you running off to search for the perfect print? See Also:
Featured Image Credit: Dmitriev Mikhail, Shutterstock
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Ashley Bates is a freelance dog writer and pet enthusiast who is currently studying the art of animal therapy. A mother to four human children— and 23 furry and feathery kids, too – Ashley volunteers at local shelters, advocates for animal well-being, and rescues every creature in need. Her mission is to create awareness, education, and entertainment about pets to prevent homelessness. Her specialties are dogs and cats.
