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Rodrigue exhibit kicks off
Sarah Reilly Pancoast
Posted on January 12, 2004

For Dalton Jones, George Rodrigue's work combines two very good things.

"I just love dogs ... and blue's my favorite color, so it kind of works," said the 13-year-old Shreveport resident.

Jones was one of about 1,000 people to attend the first day of "George Rodrigue: 40-year Retrospective." Rodrigue signed copies of his book The Art of George Rodrigue: A Cajun Artist while fans viewed a complimentary collection of his works.

One admirer, Billie Worthen of Shreveport, found out the hard way how popular the books were.

"They must have sold out before I got here," she said, after touring most of the exhibit.

The collection includes some of Rodrigue's early work such as Pop Goes the Ads from 1966 and the first portrait of the blue dog from 1984, which has become synonymous with the Louisiana artist.

So synonymous, in fact, that the 1997 wedding portrait Rodrigue did of himself and his bride, Wendy Rodrigue, depicts the artist as the blue dog in a tuxedo.

The exhibit circles the hall and culminates with two of Rodrigue's newest works, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco: Official Inaugural Painting and Mike the Tiger. a painting of Louisiana State University's mascot. The latter is being used to raise money to get the real tiger a new home.

While George Rodrigue signed, Wendy Rodrigue gave an impromptu lecture on her husband's career, imparting trivia and teaching appreciation to a growing crowd.

She told of her husband's dislike of his 1971 self-portrait and the faithful companion Tiffany who became the blue dog. Wendy Rodrigue also explained the evolution of her husband's work and his attention to shape, color and design.

But for those who missed the tour, much background information is included in the book.

"Well, it's the first (book) that really explains from 1968 to the present, and it just shows the whole continuation. There's a real thread through my work and it explains it. That's ... what other books hadn't done, you know, how did you jump from the Cajun to the blue dog," Rodrigue said as he drew an invisible line with a capped pen.

In addition to bringing the original work to the area, Rodrigue will be speaking with hundreds of local elementary school students this week.

"We're most excited about having such a wonderful opportunity for the students in our community," said Mary Zimmerman, director of the museum. "This is what we teach here, we teach culture."

If you go

WHAT: "George Rodrigue: 40-Year Retrospective."

WHEN: through Feb. 28.

WHERE: Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, 3015 Greenwood Road. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday.

ADMISSION: $5 for adults, $1 for ages 6-17, free for age 5 and younger. There is free admission the first Sunday of every month.

EVENTS: Today at 10 a.m. at the museum Rodrigue will speak to schoolchildren and at 2 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 6646 Youree Drive, he will sign his book. Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the museum he will speak to schoolchildren and at noon speak to the Downtown Rotary Club at the Downtown Holiday Inn.

INFORMATION: (318) 632-2020.