Because Todd asked…

…about the wall of “Blue Dog” as seen in one of Tim’s posts. Tiffany, the “Blue Dog,” has a way of bringing people together. =) Here’s some information on the artist, George Rodrigue. It’s NEVER a good idea to ask about anything in my house unless you want a long answer, heh heh.

I first became aware of Rodrigue’s “ghost” paintings sometime back in the ’80s when I used to travel between Alabama and Texas. They used to be displayed at a restaurant where we often ate near Lafayette–Landry’s, which is now a widespread chain. Phillip gives a little nod to these “ghost” paintings in THREE FORTUNES.

My friend Jeff loved Rodrigue’s “Blue Dog” work. He once went to a Rodrigue book signing, and not only did the artist sign his book, but he drew Jeff his own “blue dog” beneath the inscription. Very cool. Jeff’s ex, John, later became the boyfriend of James, thereby bringing one of the best people ever into my life, and “Blue Dog” was special to them, as well.

The couple who found our dog Guinness on the streets and gave her to us got engaged in California after going to Rodrigue’s Carmel gallery. My friend L and I visited the Rodrigue gallery in New Orleans on a whirlwind trip there (the time I met Jon Stewart, who I adore). And when James accompanied me on my first trip to NYC, we were in Soho when we suddenly spotted a big “Blue Dog” banner down the street; turns out Rodrigue was having a NYC exhibit.

So… among the “Blue Dog” stuff on the wall is a card from the New Orleans gallery, a “Blue Dog for President” bumper sticker that John and James brought me, two postcards from the Soho gallery exhibit, a postcard from the Christmas that Neiman Marcus featured “Blue Dog” art, and a lot of little “Blue Dog” pictures my friend Amy found in the Neiman catalog and gave me.