RANCHO SANTA FE – Bid on unique auction items, sip signature martinis and chat with painter George Rodrigue about his Blue Dog Collection at the 18th annual Spring Fling fundraiser for the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
The event's theme this year is the Blue Dog Lounge in honor of Rodrigue, an artist from Louisiana known for his Blue Dog paintings.
Rodrigue first painted Blue Dog about 20 years ago as a version of the loup-garou, or werewolf, his mother told him about a child growing up in the Cajun town of New Iberia, Louisiana. The tale goes that if a child is not good, the loup-garou will come and eat him in the night.
Rodrigue created the image for a book of Cajun ghost stories; it looked like a blue-gray wolf with red eyes that stared at the viewer from under a blue night sky.
What: Blue Dog Exhibit
Where: Del Mar Hilton, 15575 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday
Cost: Free
Information: (831) 626-4444
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The dog later took on more of a pop-art shape with a brighter hue of electric blue, and is now usually painted with a white nose and yellow eyes.
It has become a symbol that comments on contemporary life, Rodrigue said.
“You never forget it,” he said.
“When you see 10 or 20 in a room, you realize they are all different. It's not just a blue dog.”
The image has appeared on television on “Friends,” with former President Clinton on the 53rd presidential inauguration poster and in advertisements for Neiman Marcus, Absolut Vodka and Xerox.
What: Blue Dog Lounge
Where: Fairbanks Village Plaza, 16236 San Dieguito Road, Fairbanks Ranch
When: 6:30 p.m. to midnight June 3
Tickets: $225; Platinum Dog, $300
Information: (858) 756-4117, ext. 349
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Center spokesman John Van Zante said, “We were honored he allowed us to use the Blue Dog theme.”
For the Spring Fling, Rodrigue created a commemorative poster, “A Black-Tie Affair,” showing Blue Dog wearing a tuxedo. Half of the proceeds from the poster will benefit the center.
Tickets to the gala are $225. Platinum Dog tickets are $300 and include the Patron's Party on Tuesday in Rancho Santa Fe for event sponsors. At the party, Rodrigue will paint a piece to be sold at the Spring Fling. His work typically sells for thousands of dollars.
Rodrigue will also appear at the Del Mar Hilton with an exhibit open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Ten percent of sales proceeds will benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Dinner at the Spring Fling will include food from 20 restaurants. The event includes a cigar and cognac bar and dancing to live music by NRG.
Works by Encinitas painter and event chairwoman Debra Saum will also be featured. She is a self-taught watercolorist and animal communicator who specializes in animal portraits.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call the center at (858) 756-4117, ext. 349
Rodrigue can be reached at Rodrigue Studio Carmel at (831) 626-4444 or online at www.georgerodrigue.com or www.bluedogrelief.com.
