LSU to benefit from Blue Dog prints

BATON ROUGE – The work of famed “Blue Dog” artist George Rodrigue will benefit LSU’s School of Music.

Prior to his Dec. 14, 2013, death, Rodrigue designed what he termed “Take Five,” a work that features his iconic Blue Dog surrounded by lush vegetation and symbols of the “rich musical heritage of the LSU School of Music.”

His estate has used the silkscreen to create 950 numbered prints to be unveiled today at a private reception in LSU’s Cook Hotel.

The prints then go on sale for $500 online at www.GeorgeRodrigue.com and in Rodrigue Studio locations in Lafayette, New Orleans and Carmel, Calif. Proceeds are to benefit the School of Music and the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts.

Jacques Rodrigue, executive director of the foundation, said his father “was a huge supporter of the arts and education, and we are so proud to partner with the LSU School of Music to continue his legacy.”

To assure authenticity of the prints, the Estate of George Rodrigue created a proprietary ink to stamp on editions of prints. The one-of-a-kind ink formula includes several security measures. The stamp measures approximately 1.5-by-3 inches and is screened directly onto prints issued by the Rodrigue Estate. The ink reacts uniquely to differing wavelengths of light.