A Proud Metis Artist / Author

With a surname like "Gaudet" it will be no big surprise that there is a "Metis" connection.

Indeed, in the very opening pages of  my first book (Attention: LIVE LINK) "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality" there are very pointed references to my proud Metis heritage!

At a LIVE Reading/Signing ... at World Famous Danceland, Manitou Beach, SK.
(left to right: Me, Matthew Grandguillot, August Grandguillot)

Later, towards the end of my second book (Again, the LIVE LINK) "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved" there is a lucid recollection of my eldest brother telling the story, that he heard from a cousin, of the G-G-G-G-G-G-Grandfather So-and-So Gaudet who hooked up with a Mi'kmaq woman, and the rest . is. history!

"Vision"

Here is a sneak preview of the artwork created in collaboration with First Nations' Medicine Man and close friend the late Douglas Severight. This artwork (called, simply, "Vision") and its story loom large in "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved".

Saskatchewan-based Story-Teller (and host of Shaw TV "Lit Happens") holds copies of book 1 and 2.

When you hear the recently taped "Lit Happens" segment (once it comes out) you will hear the host Danica Lorer  refer to me as a "Proud Metis Man". Now that the oral history referred to above will be in the public domain, my claim to my proud Metis heritage is official.

Standing with the "Dancing..." banner...

About the Artist/Author: To Read More, Please Visit mrgaudet.com

Scored a Coveted "Lit Happens" Interview

I was happy to attend an interview with Saskatoon-based story-teller Danica Lorer this afternoon for Shaw Cable TV's notorious show "Lit Happens".

I must say, Danica is an excellent host for the show. 

I presented her with a copy of my first two books ("Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality" and "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved" ) a couple of months ago and she apparently took the time to read them both. The reason I know this is because she formulated some very "pertinent" questions and comments.

I met with Danica Lorer well before our interview to give her lots of time to read my books.

I would like to express my gratitude to Danica and the network for carrying through with this. Every little step forward in pushing ahead with promotion of my books is appreciated, and I will certainly make the most of it.

On set at Shaw Cable TV's "Lit Happens" with host Danica Lorer.

Was I nervous doing this? Well, not really. You might say I have done enough of this kind of thing in the past, that I am used to this particular type of stress. I think of it this way: you must recognize the butterflies swirling around in your stomach prior to something like this and COMMAND them to simply fly in formation!

About the Artist/Author:

                   To read more please visit: www.mrgaudet.com

Quality or Quantity? Re: Book Sales

Last week a friend of mine in Boulder, CO. requested that I ship her six copies of my first two books. 4 copies of "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality" and 2 copies of  "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved".

Holding a copy of my first book "Dancing with Rejection".

 While this in itself is nothing extraordinary... though I deeply appreciate EVERY SINGLE book sale (more on that later) ... the reason why I am pointing this out to my readers is that in this case, the books are destined to be button-holed into the hands of BOOK CLUB MEMBERS.

My friend (Best-Selling Author) Carey Rigby-Wilcox holds a copy of my second book "A Work in Progress".

Do you know what this could mean?

According to the lady from Boulder (who shall remain unnamed) her intention is to FAN the FLAME under these two books. Not literally of course, that would NOT be a good thing.

In my patron's words, " You've sold a hell of a lot of book and you only have 4 reviews?!?! Well, that's un-American and probably un-Canadian! The book is incredible by the way. I am shocked you couldn't get it published. They are fools to have passed up the chance. It's brilliantly written."

Thank you for that! However, I must add, that I did not approach traditional publishers with my manuscript(s). I am REALLY ONSIDE with the self-publishing phenom. That is another whole different post!

In case you, dear reader, are empathizing with the part about REVIEWS, please feel free to rectify that situation by logging on to my Amazon.com landing pages for book 1 and book 2. Any and all reviews are always welcome.

Now, back to the EXCITING PROSPECT of my books landing in the hands of BOOK CLUB MEMBERS in Colorado. That potentially EXPLOSIVE development has left my head swimming, I won't lie.

You can rest assured that I will let you know what, if anything, comes of this in the coming weeks!


             

About the Artist/Author:     Please Visit www.mrgaudet.com to Read More.

The Thrill of Publishing a Book(s)

There's no question about it, it is a huge (MONUMENTAL, even) thrill that comes with publishing a book, or, in my case, books in the plural.


This link will steer your Search Engine to the professional website that has been created for your sneak preview.

A Work in Progress
The Life my Brother Saved by Michael R. Gaudet

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Following the success of his first book, Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner’s Guide to Immortality, the Canadian artist, author, and kidney health advocate Michael R. Gaudet brings us the second part to his captivating trilogy of memoirs. A Work in Progress: The Life My Brother Saved picks up where book one left off, chronicling Gaudet’s arrival in Saskatchewan with his soon-to-be first wife. Still reeling from his near-death experience as the result of kidney failure, the loss of his father, and the launch of his ambitious career, Gaudet finds himself diving into new projects and experiences on the prairies. His daughter Pearl arrives to the world, born with a congenital kidney condition that puts great strain on Gaudet and his already-troubled relationship with his wife.While navigating the struggles of his daughter’s illness as well as his own, Gaudet continues his personal journey towards healing and success. His spiritual experiences include a life-affirming vision quest alongside his dear friend, a First Nations Medicine Man, as well as the creation of a magnificent mural in a church that brings him closer to God. Enduring various phases of love and loss, Gaudet eventually discovers his soul mate with whom he traverses the vast provinces of Canada.In this fascinating life story, Gaudet offers us glimpses into his bohemian lifestyle and rise to fame as a distinguished Canadian artist. Writing in the style of magical realism, he seamlessly weaves mysticism into his prose. He also speaks with fearless realism of what it means to live with kidney disease, bringing awareness and attention to this insidious condition. As a survivor and an artist, his narrative voice pushes through hardship to bear a wider message about living a fulfilling life and pursuing one’s dreams.

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I finished your book and I absolutely loved it. It was thoughtful and inspiring, and all around an excellent read. I've just recommended it to my friends. Wonderful work - you deserve to be very proud of it. I hope it gets the attention it deserves.

Dylan Loewe, White House Writer, Washington, D.C.

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Michael R. Gaudet is a renowned Canadian artist known for his monumental murals and activism in promoting knowledge about kidney health and disease. He is the survivor of a near-death experience and kidney transplant that occurred in 1979, when he was only nineteen. He began his artistic career that same year, painting a seminal mural that led him to his life’s calling. Since then, he has painted vibrant, large-scale murals across Canada in both public and sacred spaces. He also works in the challenging genre of high-fidelity portraiture, seeking to immortalize the precise likeness and essence of a person on canvas. In 2001, he was awarded the “People’s Choice Award” for best public artwork by Planet S Magazine in Saskatoon. His first book, Dancing with Rejection, was published in 2015 to great acclaim. A Work in Progress is the second installment in his trilogy of memoirs, with book three forthcoming. Gaudet currently lives with his wife Sharon at the Resort Village of Manitou Beach in Central Saskatchewan, where they operate their seasonal business, “Gibson & Gaudet Gallery & Gifts.”

Remember Book 1 of the Trilogy? "Dancing with Rejection: Beginner's Guide to Immortality" ? (A "cosmic joy ride" of a read) www.mrgaudet.com

Book 2 of Trilogy Writing Project Coming to Fruition!

This is an Professional Editorial Evaluation on "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved"...which is the 2nd book in my Trilogy Writing Project. Click on the embedded widget to read more.

 

KICKSTARTER Campaign a SUCCESS!

I want to SHARE with all the aspiring and even established artists reading this blog that I have had an EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE with KICKSTARTER. For those who may not be familiar, KICKSTARTER. Is a crowd-sourced funding agency for a vast array of projects, including publishing (that's me!) and a wide range of artistic projects. I launched my campaign in the last week of November and it is terminating tomorrow. The good news is...I have successfully reached my funding goal !

The Cover Art for Book 2 of my trilogy writing project...the object of my KICKSTARTER Campaign.

KICKSTARTER is a world leader in the crowd-source funding industry. If YOU have a great idea for a creative project that requires funding, I highly recommend you take a shot at a KICKSTARTER. Campaign.

However, here is a warning that you really should take to heart. There are many bottom-feeding predators who will offer you the deal of the century in helping you reach your funding goal. One of the worst offenders in that unsavory business is a nefarious company called MONSTER SOCIAL MARKETING ( BOO HISS! )that got through to me about half-way through my campaign. Despite their glowing promises they delivered absolutely nothing in terms of contributions but were happy to take my money.

The takeaway? You really should have a solid network of family, friends and business colleagues in place if you decide this is something you would like to tackle. Oh yeah, a fabulous, compelling, brilliant idea wouldn't hurt either.

Take a look at my KICKSTARTER Campaign in its final hours...here is the link.

Usually, the very best paintings are the ones that you do for your own pleasure, such as "Amethyst Mountain". 

One of the most dynamic "REWARDS" that I offered in my campaign was...for every contribution of CA$500 or more, I will create an original work of art, based on the contributor's favorite photo or idea! This concept EXPLODED, with 5 takers!

Another recent favorite..."The Magic Cup". Would it surprise you to hear that both of these were SOLD to an art collector?

Visit my website at www.mrgaudet.com to read more and to purchase Book 1 of the trilogy, called "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality". If you have already read Book 1, I would invite you to leave your impressions in the comments below. Good, bad or ugly, all comments are welcome. Just remember, play nice!

With the "Dancing..." banner at The Watrous Manitou. To purchase please visit www.mrgaudet.com .

Kickstarter Campaign a SUCCESS at 121% w 66 Hours remaining!

On the theme of GRATITUDE...

On the theme of "gratitude", I would be remiss not to mention my gorgeous bride and soul-mate, Sharon. Here we are on our wedding day with my mom and step-father.

My heart and spirit are brimming over with gratitude this evening as I ponder the excellent fact:the Kickstarter Campaign that I created to usher in the launch of Book 2 of my writing trilogy is a SUCCESS at 121% w 66 Hours remaining!

My beautiful mom and I on my wedding day.

Called: "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved", book 2 has now officially generated advance sales of 100 copies. It just goes to show you, with an authentic heart and proven track record of success, there is nothing you cannot accomplish if you set your heart on it, and work your butt off.

One of the things that I persisted in doing over the brief flare of the campaign was to post regular "updates" that were made available to all of my generous contributors, as well as anyone else in my social media networks who cared to dive in.

Now, in the final hours of the campaign, I am happy to post one of the final updates.

It is a tribute to my loving, generous and highly intelligent mother.

Please click here for the tribute. I love you Mom!

Sprinting to the Finish Line w Kickstarter

Dear Readers,

After the successful launch of the 1st book of my trilogy (please visit my website www.mrgaudet.com for much more on this) I am now working hard to publish the 2nd book...called "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved".

My goal with this is to sell 100 copies in advance, to establish a built-in fan base when it comes out in the spring of 2017. Just to let you know, the book is completely finished and now, I am going through the manuscript with a fine tooth comb to weed out any small typos and to polish it up for its imminent publication.

My appeal to you is to visit my Kickstarter Campaign ( Here is the link to the Campaign) that I have created to usher in the launch. At this moment, I have reached 63% of my target goal of $5000.00, with 11 days to go!

To communicate the meaning of the Campaign, I created a video for you all to watch:




This video (above) is short and sweet...less than three and a half minutes.

Now, there are a few details of the Campaign that I would like to share, though when you visit you will see much more. 

Every Canadian contributor of CA$50.00 or more will receive not only a hand-signed copy of the book in the mail, but also YOUR NAME will be printed with GRATITUDE under the "ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS" section in the front of the book. You will see your NAME in PRINT when you receive your copy!

Spoiler Alert: I have opted to use a very powerful photo of this artist at the height of his career, working on the finishing touches of the truly monumental mural that this bog is dedicated to: The March of Trinity at Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Should you question the voracity of this statement, I would invite you take a sneak peek at the cover design...of Book 2 of the trilogy:

Cover Art for Book 2 of the trilogy, "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved".

In case you have not the 1st book of the trilogy called "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality", I would like to offer you a FREE SAMPLE of the 1st 90 pages! Click on this link...it will whisk you away to the free sample of the 1st 90 pages...that will take you right into the thick of the story.

Sometimes life and career does a complete 360 degree turn, or in other words, comes around full-circle! That is indeed, what happened in the case of my beloved, charmed "Trinity" design. What do I mean by this statement, you ask? Well, in 1981...a full THREE DECADES before the creation of "March of Trinity" at Sacred Heart, I was commissioned at the age of 23 to design and paint a mural that I called...in a precognitive moment..."Trinity 1981". I would like to show you  pictures of this early, seminal mural:

Working on the early phases of "Trinity 1981" at age 23.

I was truly blessed at the age of 23 to be the recipient of a "vision" that resulted in the commission to design and paint the mural :"Trinity 1981". I go into lucid detail in Book 1 of the trilogy...the thought process and all of the machinations behind this pivotal work of art. This commission launched my career as a painter of monumental murals, and 30 years later, was pivotal in my bid to paint the most monumental mural of all: The March of Trinity.

My beautiful mother Shirley Gaudet stood with the late Archbishop James Hayes and I after the official unveiling of "Trinity 1981" at St. Mary's Basilica.

After the completion of "Trinity 1981", there was an official unveiling attended by not only the late Archbishop James Hayes, but also many family and friends, including my beautiful, loving mother, Shirley Gaudet.

The finished mural "Trinity 1981".

Readers of "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality" will understand the significance of the timing and importance of this mural in forging ahead with my career as a painter of monumental murals. Also, they will appreciate the artistic reasoning that fueled the project.

I created a triangular version of the "Trinity" mural that was widely circulated. I sent a copy to the Vatican that, incredibly for a young artist, elicited an official response on the Vatican stationary.

Now, in that "twist of fate" that I referred to earlier, I would like to show you the mural that I was commissioned to paint 30 years later. It is the "March of Trinity" at Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church. The reason I take such pains to point this is out is because...in a similar fashion that "Trinity 1981" was described in Book 1 of the trilogy, "March of Trinity"...which is on a much more monumental scale but was in fact preceded conceptually by the mural at St. Mary's Basilica... a deeper and more informed description in a literary setting unfolds in Book 2.  

The finished "March of Trinity" mural at Sacred Heart Chaldean Catholic Church in Saskatoon.

Please take a minute now to visit the Kickstarter Campaign that I described earlier. The widget below will take you directly to the Campaign. I will reward you with my deepest gratitude and as described at the top of this post, your NAME will APPEAR in PRINT as a sign of my gratitude along with, of course, a signed copy of Book 2 delivered to your mailbox in the spring of 2017, about 6 months from now. Finally, it would mean the world to me if you would deign to SHARE this with your friends and colleagues. THANKING you in advance, TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS.

God Help Us Reach the Target!

Well, I am seriously delighted to say...at over 50% home-free with the Kickstarter Campaign that I created to usher in Book 2 of the trilogy, I believe that I will succeed with raising my target goal!

Cover Art for Book 2 of the Trilogy

With 15 days to go, I am cautiously optimistic that this campaign will be totally successful! This can only happen with YOUR help though, so please take a look to see what all the excitement is about. Kickstarter has provided me with option of generating a live widget for you to visit the site. I think that is a lot more interesting than just a link, don't you? OK, stand by and I will generate it...


There it is...above. When you click on the widget, you will be transported directly to the campaign. How cool is that? Just remember, there are many rewards coming to you when you contribute, as you will see!

Seriously, Over 50% There!

Well, I am seriously delighted to say...at over 50% home-free with the Kickstarter Campaign that I created to usher in Book 2 of the trilogy, I believe that I will succeed with raising my target goal!

Cover Art for Book 2 of the Trilogy

With 15 days to go, I am cautiously optimistic that this campaign will be totally successful! This can only happen with YOUR help though, so please take a look to see what all the excitement is about. Kickstarter has provided me with option of generating a live widget for you to visit the site. I think that is a lot more interesting than just a link, don't you? OK, stand by and I will generate it...


There it is...above. When you click on the widget, you will be transported directly to the campaign. How cool is that? Just remember, there are many rewards coming to you when you contribute, as you will see!

Working on Book 2 of Trilogy

When you click on this widget , it will take you directly to the Kickstarter Campaign that I have created to usher in the launch of Book 2 of the trilogy...

W

A Better picture of the cover art of "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother Saved" :

Cover Art of Book 2 of the trilogy.

As you can see by the widget above, I have reached 31% of my funding goal within about the 1st week since launching the campaign. Thank so much to all of the early contributors. My expectation, with the widget, is that it will inform you, in real time, of the advance of the campaign. How cool is that?
 

Kickstarter Campaign to Usher in Book 2

Hello friends and allies...I am excited to announce the creation of the Kickstarter Campaign to usher in the imminent arrival of Book 2 of the trilogy...called "A Work in Progress: The Life my Brother saved".

Here is the cover art:

Cover Art for Book 2 of the trilogy!

Please click through to this link to visit the Kickstarter Campaign. And also, if the spirit moves you...please SHARE the link with your friends. Writing is my PASSION PROJECT...please help support this with your contribution. Thank You!

Also...truth be known, we are JUST getting started with my 1st book "Dancing with Rejection: A Beginner's Guide to Immortality"...with several hundred copies sold worldwide. Here is the cover art for "Dancing...":

Holding "Dancing with Rejection" in front of the official banner.

Please visit www.mrgaudet.com , where you will find all 3 formats (Hard-cover, Paper-back and EBook) available.

This is do or die for me as a Dialysis Warrior of 32 months with no end in sight. Stay well...

And remember...please SHARE this link: 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/993552549/a-work-in-progress-the-life-my-brother-saved