George first created jewelry in the 1970s, hand-forming designs in clay from his images of Oak Trees and Jolie Blonde, which he reinterpreted as solid gold pendants. Later he made for himself one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras coins featuring elements from his paintings, also in gold, and embellished with precious stones.
In the 1980s George met Douglas Magnus, a renowned Silversmith in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The two formed a lasting friendship that included their mutual respect as artisans. Over the years they worked together on numerous projects, including a line of “Blue Dog Jewelry,” released in a small quantity in the early 2000s. In addition, Magnus created many one-of-a-kind Rodrigue pieces, designed by George as gifts for me.
-click photos throughout to enlarge-
In 2016 I approached Douglas Magnus to reintroduce the jewelry line using George's original designs. Unavailable for more than a decade, these special pieces are updated by Magnus, based on his experiences in working for many years with his good friend.
In 2016 I approached Douglas Magnus to reintroduce the jewelry line using George's original designs. Unavailable for more than a decade, these special pieces are updated by Magnus, based on his experiences in working for many years with his good friend.
“Working with George on these designs and concepts was like a hand in the glove. George knew what he wanted, and I was able to create that vision. I think both of us were always very pleased with the outcome. I feel that the updated collection achieves a higher standard of completion and quality, with attention to detail, in the spirit of George and his art.”
(pictured: Cowboy Blue Dog 2013, an original photo-collage by George Rodrigue, featuring Douglas Magnus and his turquoise mines near Santa Fe, New Mexico; learn more here-)
Unlike the earlier pins and pendants, the reworked designs include an emphasis on George's distinctive signature as an artistic element within each piece.
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These works of art are hand-crafted with the highest quality using sterling silver and, in some cases, 14k gold auras, per George's original instructions. The backside of each piece is as beautiful as the front, again with an emphasis on “Rodrigue."
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Unlike the earlier pins and pendants, the reworked designs include an emphasis on George's distinctive signature as an artistic element within each piece.
In all cases, the jewelry is handcrafted, piece-by-piece, by Magnus Studios in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where George Rodrigue worked with Douglas Magnus for nearly thirty years.
I considered for quite sometime whether or not to reintroduce the jewelry. George and I visited Santa Fe many times, not only because we love the area and its people, but also because George enjoyed a unique camaraderie and artistic-exchange among his friends here.
(pictured: Artists Douglas Magnus, Armond Lara, and George Rodrigue photographed in Santa Fe, New Mexico by Dana Waldon, 2008)
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Today, because I live between Santa Fe and New Orleans, I have the opportunity to watch Douglas at work and channel those memories. Many afternoons I visit his shop as he works on "Rodrigue," and as he honors, with meticulous care and craftsmanship, a great American artist.
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(pictured: Artists Douglas Magnus, Armond Lara, and George Rodrigue photographed in Santa Fe, New Mexico by Dana Waldon, 2008)
Today, because I live between Santa Fe and New Orleans, I have the opportunity to watch Douglas at work and channel those memories. Many afternoons I visit his shop as he works on "Rodrigue," and as he honors, with meticulous care and craftsmanship, a great American artist.
Sharing the jewelry again feels right. As I've said many times, I am not the artist, and yet this process feels like working with George and moving forward with his designs....... in a way that he would want. Furthermore, within the galleries, it's particularly poignant to have something 'new' from George.
About Douglas Magnus:
Douglas Magnus (b. 1946) moved to Santa Fe in the late 1960s, following his childhood in Los Angeles, California and Silverton, Colorado, and a formative two years with the U.S. Army in El Paso.
A photographer and videographer, Magnus expanded his oeuvre while in New Mexico to include painting, sculpture, and jewelry, an art form he honed while apprenticing with local Indians in Gallup, New Mexico. Soon after he acquired the famed Cerrillos Turquoise Mines, the same land originally mined by Native Americans some 1000 years ago, and later by Tiffany & Company in the early 1900s.
Today Magnus lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico, conceiving original designs and finished products from turquoise, silver, gold, and other materials. He is also a prolific painter, embracing numerous subjects such as interiors and figurative works, while partial to plein air paintings created on site at his mines.
Above all, Magnus embraces quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship, remaining true to his unique, evolving vision and his commitment to beautiful, handcrafted works of art.
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Wendy
-pictured above: Douglas Magnus, Wendy Rodrigue, André Rodrigue at the Tiffany Mine in Cerrillos, New Mexico, 2015.
-Rodrigue Jewelry is handcrafted and very limited; at this time, prices range between $475 and $4750; for availability, contact Rodrigue Studio at this link- https://georgerodrigue.com/contact/
-for more by Douglas Magnus visit www.douglasmagnus.com
-jewelry photography by Studio Seven Productions, Albuquerque, New Mexico-
-pictured above: Douglas Magnus, Wendy Rodrigue, André Rodrigue at the Tiffany Mine in Cerrillos, New Mexico, 2015.
-Rodrigue Jewelry is handcrafted and very limited; at this time, prices range between $475 and $4750; for availability, contact Rodrigue Studio at this link- https://georgerodrigue.com/contact/
-for more by Douglas Magnus visit www.douglasmagnus.com
-jewelry photography by Studio Seven Productions, Albuquerque, New Mexico-