Things I secretly like that do not involve ancient history, the Middle Ages, or churches (yes, these things do exist): puppies. They are undeniably cute and adorable, and overall very hard to resist. However, apart from the occasional pick-me-up check up on Cute Overload, I really think that pictures of cute things don't have a place in art. Proudly displayed on t-shirts for young children? Sure thing. But great big canvases of fluffy puppies? Not so much.
That being said, I really like the "Blue Dog" paintings by George Rodrigue. Rodrigue, a painter from Louisiana (American alert! American alert!), claims that his inspiration for the first blue dog painting in 1984 was the spooky Cajun legend of the loup-garou. However, over time the Blue Dog got friendlier looking (no red eyes) and his creator depicted him all over the bayou.
Shade of The Shadows, George Rodrigue. Blue Dog Series. 2011.
You have to admit, Blue Dog is pretty cute. But maybe I'm biased- the Blue Dog looks just like a corgi my family had when I was little. Loved that dog.
There is also a connection between Rodrigue's Blue Dog and the political "Blue Dog Democrats", a group comprised of conservative Democrats in Congress formed in 1995 as a response to the congressional elections. Although some members of the group claim to have coined it themselves (everybody wants to think they started something), the group frequently met in a Louisiana senator's office, in which there were several of Rodrigue's Blue Dog paintings.
And now for a new Quote of the Week!
We all know that art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth, at least the truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies.
-Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Spanish painter and founder of the Cubist movement
Hrm, a very interesting quote. Also slightly confusing, but I'm sure I'll eventually get it if I think about it a while longer... maybe.
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