While sitting at a pool in a friend's apartment complex I saw this woman relaxed in the pool. I kept looking at the No Lifeguard On Duty sign and came up with the concept for this piece. The SR in the glass stands for Sooo Relaxed! - Michael Godard
OLIVE PARTY II
Well the party continues from the first piece I painted in this series. The olives are celebrating after the match finally lit the cigar. I was at the Ritz Carlton for a cigar and cognac tasting and was given about 5 different cigars to smoke that night. Since I do not normally smoke cigars I was a little green after the party. In honour of that night I painted the olive that is bent over the ashtray in a different shade of green, as it smoked too much as well. - Michael Godard
THREE AMIGOS
These are from three friends I grew up with. One was the watcher always watching the world go by. Another friend of mine was the troublemaker always jumping into things. The olive balancing on the glass is the risk-taker, gambling buddy of mine who will always go for the long shot. Notice the colors on the swirls of the glass. Also the chrome reflection on the shaker set. This is just a cool piece. - Michael Godard
This is the second image in the Pool Shark Series. The Shark is now gaining skill and shooting from behind his back. The Pool Shark has been true to his name as we see he has collect a lot of cash from his victims. The Olive under the glass has his pockets tuned out looking for any money he might have; hence the play on words, “Empty Pockets”; a result of losing all his cash to the Shark.
This a great gambling piece. The olive is on his knees with his palms together praying for a seven. I really highlighted the dice and the fire on the mat. Check out the flames above the dice. Do you see the 7? In the smoke a dollar sign appears. There are chips on the pass line waiting for a 7.
This billiard piece screams “Nice Balls” right from first glance. It’s okay to uncover your eyes, the pool balls are painted like olives. These are the focal point of the picture. This makes a perfect Billiard room picture.
NASBAR 500
Where else would a Godard racing car go to be serviced but the Olive Pit. All of the olives, whether they are changing tires or fueling the car, have a martini in hand made at the Nasbar. This bar in the back is pumping martinis through the air hose. One olive had one too many drinks and has fallen, along with the trophy cup. The decal on the back of the car is the label from the wine owned by Vince Neil’s, the lead singer from Motley Crue. Take a close look because there are many other subtle features in the piece. I’ll give you some hints: check out the tires and the asphalt!
