Meet the person behind the enduring Blue Canine in Blue: The Life and Artwork of George Rodrigue. This PBS documentary movie takes a deep dive into the mesmerizing world of the late, nice Louisiana painter George Rodrigue, exploring the artist’s origins from his early days within the bayou by way of his profession as a self-described Cajun artist to his philanthropic pursuits after Hurricane Katrina.
“George had such a layered story,” director Sean O’Malley tells TV Insider. And whereas the world could bear in mind Rodrigue for his Blue Canine work, he additionally spent a profession documenting the lifetime of his fellow Louisianans, and success didn’t come swiftly.
“It took going by way of all these phases of his life, and all of it got here again to his Cajun heritage,” says O’Malley. “He painted what he knew, and it grew into one thing actually stunning and provoking for lots of people.”
George’s humble beginnings began with portray on the again of paint-by-number units and graduated to the darkish and moody oak bushes that finally led him to his Blue Canine.
‘Man’s Finest Good friend’ – 1989, Oil on Canvas (George Godfrey Rodrigue Jr. Household Belief)
“He overcame adversity to get there, after which he by no means stopped and by no means gave up, and I believe it’s an incredible lesson to younger artists,” O’Malley provides. The movie highlights Rodorigue’s work with the youth of Louisiana, together with the continued efforts of his household to take care of his message of resiliency and creativity.
And it isn’t simply George’s household who’s singing the late painter’s praises. Amongst those that have been touched by Rodrigue’s work are the artist’s New Orleans-based contemporaries, equivalent to former NFL quarterback Drew Brees and chef Emeril Lagasse, who additionally function within the must-see doc.
WLAE/sixth Road
“All of them knew George, they usually had such immense respect,” says O’Malley. “I may really feel it oozing out of them. Emeril and George acquired to be mates as a result of they each considered one another as craftsmen who actually simply devoted themselves to their artwork, they usually revered that about each other.”
However it isn’t simply the well-known faces that assist put the image of George’s life collectively for audiences, as his mates and fellow artists additionally share their private tales of the painter. “After I take into consideration George’s love for Louisiana and New Orleans, I get emotional,” O’Malley shares. And viewers tuning in may even really feel that emotional wave wash over them.
Blue: The Life and Artwork of George Rodrigue, Thursday, Could 29, 8/7c, PBS (verify native listings at pbs.org)