NEW ORLEANS (press release) – George Rodrigue has arguably played an integral role in visually and publicly elevating Cajun tradition and folklore to people around the world. Rodrigue (1944-2013) is regarded as one of Louisiana’s most important artists, having been named the state’s official Artist Laureate and remains a key force in contemporary American culture.
“BLUE: The Life and Art of George Rodrigue” is the first-ever career-spanning documentary on Rodrigue’s journey as an artist – bringing to life, those behind the documentary share, an inspiring story on how he overcame immense adversity to become an international Pop Art sensation with his instantly recognizable, golden-eyed Blue Dog. “BLUE: The Life and Art of George Rodrigue” will premiere nationally on public television stations starting May 29 (check local listings) and will also start streaming on May 29 on PBS.org. WLAE in New Orleans is the presenting station for the film, which will be distributed by American Public Television.
A recipient of numerous awards and an official selection at film festivals over the last six months, the team shares that “Blue” is an intimate portrait of resilience and creativity, of the world-renowned Cajun artist who told the story of his exiled ancestors through brushstrokes. “BLUE,” they shared, offers an in-depth look at George Rodrigue’s life and work through new, candid interviews with his family, curators, critics, collectors and notable admirers, including chef/restaurateur Emeril Lagasse, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, political strategist James Carville, former New Orleans mayor and President of the National Urban League Marc Morial, artist James Michalopoulos, along with family including sons Jacques and Andre Rodrigue, second wife Wendy Rodrigue-Magnus and first wife, Veronica Hidalgo Redman. The film also includes rare footage, unseen for nearly 50 years, offering an up-close look into Rodrigue’s reflections on his roots and artistic inspirations.
“I hope audiences see ‘BLUE’ as a tribute to George Rodrigue’s enduring impact on art and culture in Louisiana and around the world,” said director/producer Sean O’Malley in a release. “His story as an artist is layered and deeply inspiring. From his majestic oak trees and evocative Cajun portraits to the iconic Blue Dog, his masterworks weave an extraordinary narrative and serve as a powerful testament to his perseverance and the deep impact he and his art have had on so many lives.”
Produced by the award-winning team and executive producers of “Fats Domino—Walking Back to New Orleans,” “A Tribute to Toussaint” and “Irma Thomas: The Soul Queen of New Orleans,” the intimate documentary follows Rodrigue’s life and career, from his childhood in New Iberia, Louisiana – the heart of Cajun country, through his rise to international acclaim with the Blue Dog series. After being confined to bed with polio in the third grade, Rodrigue began painting—famously turning over a paint-by-numbers canvas to create his own original work.
The one-hour film explores the origins of the Blue Dog, first painted in 1984 and inspired by the Loup-Garou – a “crazy werewolf dog” from Cajun lore – and was modeled after Rodrigue’s family canine, Tiffany. What started as a ghost story illustration evolved into a global pop icon in the early 1990’s, featured in presidential portraits, high-profile ad campaigns for Absolut Vodka, Neiman Marcus and Xerox, and acquired by celebrity collectors including Sylvester Stallone and Whoopi Goldberg. By the 2000’s, the Blue Dog had developed into more abstract and minimalist interpretations, and through the combination of his imagery and titles, Rodrigue utilized his work to make comments on life. Rodrigue used the Blue Dog to reflect on life and loss, raising millions for relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. By this time, art institutions and critics warmly embraced his works, with positive reviews and retrospective exhibits around the country.
BLUE: The Life and Art of George Rodrigue includes never-before-seen photos, captivating, newly-restored interviews with the artist– as well as excerpts from his final, deeply personal interview. Newly-revealed visuals include Rodrigue’s photographs of models who he would then emulate in his classic paintings. Among the revelations in the film is the cause of his death in 2013 – his son, Jacques says he believes his dad’s terminal lung cancer resulted from inhaling fumes from the oils and spray varnishes he used in his third-floor studio, where he created as many as 1,000 Cajun paintings, offering a cautionary tale.
George Rodrigue’s impact on art and culture continues to resonate, particularly in classrooms and among artists who draw inspiration from cultural heritage in contemporary work. In 2009, he established the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, which supports arts education through scholarships, competitions, and programs across Louisiana and beyond, and is still active today. As a dedicated advocate for arts in education, Rodrigue firmly believed that creativity is a vital part of every child’s development.
“BLUE is an up-close and personal portrait of my dad and his groundbreaking work,” said Jacques Rodrigue, executive director of the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts and George Rodrigue’s son. “The documentary beautifully captures the visual evolution of his art, his deep love for Cajun culture, the rise of the Blue Dog as a pop icon, and his unique place in the story of American art. Dad was — and still is — an icon, not just for Louisiana, but for the entire country.”
BLUE: The Life and Art of George Rodrigue had its U.S. premiere at New Orleans Film Festival in October 2024, where it was named Winner of the Southern Feature Audience Award. It was also named Best Documentary at Amsterdam New Cinema Film Festival 2024 and Best Biographical Feature Film at the World Film Festival in Cannes-Remember the Future, as well as winning top honors at the Bangkok Movie Awards, IndieX Film Fest, and Southeast Academy International Film Festival. It was also an official selection at various film festivals. The film had a special sneak preview on Louisiana PBS stations in December 2024 as a tribute to Rodrigue’s home state.
BLUE: The Life and Art of George Rodrigue was produced by WLAE New Orleans’ 6th Street Studios, in association with O’Malley Productions. The film was directed by Sean O’Malley and produced by O’Malley and Trisha Johnson Reece. Executive producers are Jim Dotson, Ron Yager and Bruce Smith. It features original music by the Grammy-winning musicians, Lost Bayou Ramblers. Major funding was provided by Don A. Sanders Family Foundation, Haynie Family Foundation, Henry & Pat Shane, Raising Cane’s, Humana, Eric and Jaclyn Dixon, Lipsey’s, Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, among many other generous sponsors.
For more information on BLUE: The Life and Art of George Rodrigue, visit https://wlae.com/rodriguebluedogfilm, Facebook at facebook.com/RodrigueBlueDogFilm and Instagram at @rodriguebluedogfilm.
