Duck Soup

This is a small tribute to the art of Michael Bedard. I found this little doodle on a piece of scrap paper in my flat files a couple weeks ago and just wanted to show the amazing talent this artist has. He would doodle and draw constantly while on the phone and he loves to talk on the phone! This doodle is a very preliminary idea and sketch for a major painting as well as a limited edition print he did in the very early 80's. We lived together for about 8 years which is why I have this sketch it was on a pad that held a few drawings I made too. I wish I drew all the time like he does because it is so good to do and only enhances the painting. One of the things I love about his work, he always incorporates tidbits of his real life and people he knows into his art. I find that very appealing, it's like a secret that you can share with others and it tickles your heart. In "Duck Soup" the chef in the kiosk is a guy named John Gabarra who lived with us for a year. He and Michael knew each other from Detroit, Michael is originally from Windsor Ontario, Canada. And John Gabarra really is a chef. The car was a vehicle that we really owned, it was a vintage Mercedes limosine and it was fabulous! We would go on long rides to Cambria and other places in grand style with our friends. In the distance is a movie theatre that is to small to read in this version but it says Barb and Val on the marquee. Barb was my best friend and we used to say "Barb and Val the movie" because we were always up to something dramatic... So he cleverly incorporated that into this painting. There are so many elements like this in the picture and so many of his paintings that are fun memories that you would never know unless I share them on my little blog. All of this happened a very long time ago and will be lost if not divulged. Michael taught me so much about art and life and he is a truly gifted and successful artist. More on this and other artists and printmakers in future posts.
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