George Rodrigue was born in New Iberia, Louisiana in 1944. Rodrigue’s gallery biography states: “Born and raised in Cajun country, Louisiana, U.S.A., artist George Rodrigue portrayed on his canvas what he feared was the dying heritage - including its land, people, traditions, and mythology." As he often explained, he sought to “graphically interpret Cajun culture,” preserving it in the face of a progressive world. Rodrigue’ art studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles spawned one of the greatest success stories in American art. In the early 1990s his Blue Dog Series, based on the French - Cajun loop - garbu legend, catapulted him to a worldwide fame, while his dark Renaissance - like landscapes developed into robust modern masterpieces. As a passionate philanthropist, Rodrigue founded the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, advocating the importance of the arts in education. Programs include art supplies for schools, scholarships, and arts integration through Louisiana A+ Schools.” The artist passed away in Houston, TX in 2013 at the age of 69 from cancer.