Extraordinary Beam of Light Captured

Talk about being in the right time, right place. I don't remember the exact circumstances, but I was at Sacred Heart in Saskatoon one day when a powerful beam of sunlight washed across the face of my mural. Thankfully, I had my camera handy. The play of light only lasted a few seconds, so I had to move fast.

It was one of those moments when I was grateful to have my camera.

I do remember feeling transfixed by that lovely beam of light, especially since it accentuated the design so perfectly. Try as I might, with humble paints and brushes, to achieve the illusion of light and dark, there is nothing quite so vivid as the natural stream of sunbeams. They really bring the vision to life, don't you think?

Radio Interview with Jeff Richards

Last night I was pleased and honored to be interviewed by radio host Jeff Richards of NewsTalk980 fame. Jeff is a renowned clairvoyant in his own right, and is known as "Canada's Most Dangerous Mind"  We talked about my Near-Death Experience at age 19, and the subsequent events that very nearly averted my fate...an early and ugly death.

Jeff Richards contemplating life...

I felt like I was chatting with an old friend during the course of the interview, which as I discover more about him, comes as no big surprise. To say Jeff is personable is a big understatement, to say the least! Here is the interview for your listening pleasure. Some of your beliefs and understanding of the physical world might be somewhat challenged by this interview, but I decided to be candid and honest, come what may.

This radio interview is hot on the heels of a TV mini-doc that is being filmed as we speak, thanks to the creative juices at Bamboo Shoots Inc., Saskatoon-based video production company, working on behalf of Sasktel MaxTV. 

Bamboo Shoots Inc. producer Amanda Bosiak steps back to capture this candid shot of a recent interview in my Manitou Beach studio.

I like the direction this is going in...stay tuned as it heats up, as we get closer to the publication of Book 1 of the "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality" trilogy.

Bamboo Shoots Inc. for Sasktel MaxTV Interview Sneak Preview

This morning, as planned, the friendly neighborhood crew from the Saskatoon-based company Bamboo Shoots showed up as promised to interview and film me at my studio.

Amanda had a knack of putting her subject at ease.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I have to give the execs at Sasktel (our communications provider here in Saskatchewan) big props for buttonholing  the budget required to send a crew over hill and dale to create mini-docs of Sask-folks. It was really cool to meet Amanda and her faithful cameraman Robbie, who seemed perfectly at ease stepping into my studio. Just another day at the office for them.

A candid moment in the studio, with Amanda and Robbie.

It's funny, it wasn't that long ago when I was interviewed by Saskatchewan-based bestselling author Wes Funk for his Shaw Cable show "Lit Happens". And now  this.

Amanda and Robbie were impressed by the little impromptu exhibition that I set up in my studio for their benefit.

I am really happy that this is going on now. I think of it as a "Social Experiment", or as a hands-on way to get more comfortable in front of a TV camera. Something tells me there will be much more of this in the weeks and months to follow. Put it this way, the book is not even out yet and already, the publicity machine is zooming in on it. 

I just got a message yesterday from a radio host who wants to do an interview!

Stepping back a few feet.

Enhancing the Reader Experience

Enhancing Reader Experience - Kizoa Video Maker

Images for Consideration Re: Dancing with Rejection

Dad, taken sometime in 1962. He is such a handsome guy, with classic good looks. Or it could be, I'm a bit biased.

I think this picture of my dad in Paris was taken before he was married. So, late 1940's.

My dad, Robert Gaudet, was an aircraft engineer in the Royal Canadian Air Force back in the late fifties. He is shown here demonstrating an engine at The Canadian Nat'l Exhibition in Toronto.

Robert and Shirley Gaudet (my dad and mom) on their wedding day. circa 1953. They look so young, innocent and in love.

Five of us kids...only one missing is Cheryl. circa 1963. L-R: Steve, Angela, Doug, Susan and me.

"Shribner Shunt" initiated as emergency surgery to allow life-saving dialysis therapy, Toronto, 1979.

My neighbor on dialysis at Sunnybrooke Medical Center in Toronto, 1979.

Drawing of my Dad circa 1960, drawn in 1979 as self-administered "Art Therapy" whilst in the dialysis chair.

In 1979, at age 19, I designed and painted "Recovery 1", as a invocation for my own health. This mural was my visceral response to a Near-Death Experience, as I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Failure. A scant fifteen years prior to this, ESRF was a death sentence.

Homage to fallen hero painted on December 9th, 1980. His "last act" was to sign an album cover for a fan. — with John Lennon.

At age twenty-one, firing up a third of the "Trinity" mural at St. Mary's Basilica in Halifax.

With Shirley Gaudet and the Archbishop of Halifax James Hayes after the official unveiling of "Trinity 1981" at St. Mary's Basilica, Halifax, N.S.

Holding the "triangular" formatted version of the "Trinity" circa 1981.

"Painting within a painting", recreates "fly on the wall" view of angel model with her mock-planet.

My gift to all my fellow humans, "Earth Angel" is for everyone.

Ignatius "Iggy" Kennedy has been in and out of this, the third dimension in his extraterrestrial travels...Who knows, with the "dove" pressed to his heart?

"Decisive" portrait, 1984.

Presented by Iggy...unidentifiable metal alloy that has left scientists baffled. Because of its vaguely bird-like shape, Iggy dubbed it the "Dove".

Self-Portrait, from Open Studio, Montreal. 1982. (Age 23.)

Where does you eye settle first, on the puppet, or the puppeteer? Painted in Halifax, 1982.

"Montreal Jazz Festival"...a "painting with a back-beat", an immersive study of the vibrant street culture of Montreal in the early-eighties.

What lies on the other side of the looming archways? Let's send an emissary in to find out. He will report back to us.

Taking the Leap with FriesenPress!

Last week I decided for sure, after scouring the planet for the best fit, to "take the leap" with FriesenPress.

This fine group of humans inspire confidence at FriesenPress, a great Canadian company.

Not surprisingly, I decided on the great Canadian company FriesenPress to take in my manuscript into its very capable hands. Already, after the first two points of contact with the staff there, I am impressed with their professionalism, friendliness and courtesy. They are sticking meticulously to their claims, which means everything to me.

Whilst juggling countless moving objects, they all remain in the air...

Thanks to all of the love and support of about 40 "Contributors" toward the production, editing, formatting and finally publishing and global marketing of Book 1 of the "Dancing with Rejection" trilogy, I have now bit the proverbial bullet to charge ahead!

Obtaining early Copy Proofs, a valuable asset.

Now that we have "Copy Proofs" to point at, the last editorial sweep will be simplified.
One of the pressing questions my publishing consultant asked me during our tele-conference was to provide a  "synopsis". 

I had written a one-sentence version that reads, "A romping,adventure story that goes from Near Death Experience to altered perception of the world's beauty and its magnificently flawed cast of characters." 

After complimenting me on that sentence, she urged me to continue.  

In brief, this is what I came up with... "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality"...gritty medical drama meets paranormal thriller, meets cosmic joy ride, meets erotic romance..."