Michael R Gaudet

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Online Art Lessons, Painting

General info

Facing and overcoming extreme life-threatening adversity can inform an entire artistic career.

At age 21 I was diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Failure and very nearly died in a Toronto hospital. This meant of course that I was scheduled for emergency dialysis treatments.

Already a freelance artist at the time, it was a natural decision for me to carry on in this vein. The kind hospital staff recognized that I needed to express myself artistically, so they arranged to turn over an unused conference room to me for a painting studio. They also generously supplied me with all the paints and materials I could use. The result was an exhibition of artwork in the main lobby which landed me in the Toronto Star. The most notorious work I created was a small triptych mural called "Recovery 1", which was a "visual prayer" for the physical, mental and spiritual recovery of every patient experiencing a life-endangering condition.

The mural that kick-started my career,

I went on to receive a life-saving kidney transplant a mere 7 months later which sustained me in glorious health for 34+ years. Long story short, my transplant failed in 2014 and I was onced again faced with 3x a week dialysis. After 5 years of this, I received a SECOND transplant that has allowed me to carry on!

This triumph led me to continue designing and painting to this day, having created over 60 large murals and hundreds of paintings all across this great country.

During my second 5-year stint on dialysis, I wrote and published the first two of 3 books of memoirs, that have been very well-received in the community.

CARFAC's Grant Dutnall with a copy of my 2nd book.

CARFAC's Grant Dutnall picked up a copy of my second book. I am holding the first.

One mural of particular interest is "A Green Broadway" in Saskatoon that was voted "Best Public Artwork" by the reader's of Planet "S" in 2001.

"forever YOUNG", a free-standing mega-mural installed just south of Young, SK.

Working on my most important mural to date:

Working on "March of Trinity" at Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon, SK.

Archbishop Donald Bolen and Parish Priest Sabah Kamoura celebrate the first mass after the official unveiling.

My mock-up of

My mock-up of "Manitou Reflections Project" that was partially funded by Canada Heritage to help celebrate the Centennial of Manitou Beach.

The three collaborators at the head of the artwork, which is 100% stainless steel. The steel has been polished to a mirror-like finish to echo the theme of

The three collaborators at the head of the artwork, which is 100% stainless steel. The steel has been polished to a mirror-like finish to echo the theme of "reflection". This ambitious Public Art Installation with be permanently erected at Manitou Beach, SK in the summer of 2020.

Please visit me at www.mrgaudet.com to see a complete overview of my artistic practise that spans a period of over 4 decades.

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Short Bio

I am a life-long professional artist who specializes in large historic murals. Check out selections of my personal and commissioned artwork at www.mrgaudet.com

Workshops

Do you offer workshops?:

Yes

What age groups do you offer workshops for?:

Adults

What supplies are required for your Workshop?:

Acrylics paints and matte medium, stretched, primed canvas, easel

Workshop Description

"13 Steps to a Finished Painting" will super-charge your painting technique in your own personal style. Usually a 2-day 4-hour each day live workshop. Will also be available as an online course in the near future.