Michael Godard in person at Editions Gallery, Bower Place Mall in Red Deer, Alberta
I first learned about the “Rock Star of the Art World”, Michael Godard by watching an episode of A&E’s Criss Angel’s Mind Freak. Since then, the ‘olive’ artist has been making appearances at different locations, including Editions Gallery, at the Bower Place Mall in Red Deer, Alberta. I had the opportunity of meeting Godard in Red Deer, in November of 2009. I happened to be in the mall, and noticed a line-up of people standing out front of the gallery, and because I recognized who he was, I quickly joined in to the line for the opportunity to meet the artist.
I purchased his amazing book entitled Don’t Drink & Draw- The Art and Life of Michael Godard, which was awarded Art Book of the year. The book is full of dynamic graphics of his paintings, along with Godard’s insertions of what inspired him to create a particular art piece. He inserts a personal poem that he wrote to his daughter Paige, during her battle with brain cancer, signed and dated- Daddy, August 23,2005. Beautiful Paige passed away in 2006 at the young age of 16, and Godard has dedicated himself to raising money for charities to help cure cancer.
Godard is currently the #1 best selling artist in the U.S, and it’s not hard to figure out why. His creative twist of using olives, martini glasses, strawberries and animals to depict human beings in different social settings, is nothing short of pure brilliance. Godard also creates some amazing surrealistic paintings which often displays a young child , representing the innocence of youth and taps into the idea of being in a child’s world, full of color, vibrancy, and ‘dream land’.
Godard will be making an appearance once again, at Editions Gallery, at the Bower Place Mall in Red Deer, Alberta on Thursday March 4th from 5-9Pm. If you have the opportunity to come out and attend this event, it is a great chance to be in the presence of a truly inspirational artist. When I last met Godard, I purchased a martini glass, along with his book and he graciously signed both items for me. His book can be purchased on site at Editions Gallery, or at local book stores such as Chapters or Coles Books. Security may be tight, due to a recent incident when a man ran into the Editions Gallery and stole a pricy art print titled ‘Busted’! He was later arrested and charges are pending against a 31-year old Red Deer man. I must admit that the irony of the incident is well…priceless or in this case, $1,750 Canadian dollars.