George Rodrigue met Francoise and her husband Baron le Vison when he was passing through New Mexico on his way to Carmel, California. Together the couple ran the Courtyard Kitchen, a Cajun restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico which did not allow children, offered no vegetarian options, changed its menu daily, and set up a pay what you wish model that involved visitors dropping money into a cashbox at the end of their meal.
After developing a friendship, the Visons hung Rodrigue’s work in their restaurant and in 1987 Rodrigue painted a portrait of Chef Francoise. In the painting Chef Francoise stands in her chef’s uniform in front of a signature Rodrigue black oak tree, and carrying her signature sauté pan. The tree features information about her restaurant. This painting is available along with the study for this painting in the form of an ink on canvas sketch. Though they are listed separately, this offering presents a rare opportunity to own a work that demonstrates Rodrigue’s artistic process.
George Rodrigue met Francoise and her husband Baron le Vison when he was passing through New Mexico on his way to Carmel, California. Together the couple ran the Courtyard Kitchen, a Cajun restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico which did not allow children, offered no vegetarian options, changed its menu daily, and set up a pay what you wish model that involved visitors dropping money into a cashbox at the end of their meal.
After developing a friendship, the Visons hung Rodrigue’s work in their restaurant and in 1987 Rodrigue painted a portrait of Chef Francoise. In the painting Chef Francoise stands in her chef’s uniform in front of a signature Rodrigue black oak tree, and carrying her signature sauté pan. The tree features information about her restaurant. This painting is available along with the study for this painting in the form of an ink on canvas sketch. Though they are listed separately, this offering presents a rare opportunity to own a work that demonstrates Rodrigue’s artistic process.