I never thought these little green guys with red pimentos would take me to so many wonderful places. I still feel like I’m a little kid getting away with something. Galleries across the globe carry my work, along with stores like Bed Bath and Beyond. My whimsical martini olives even hang in the officers’ lounge at the Pentagon and in all the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carriers! Like I said, crazy.
My artistic journey still surprises me 15 years after the first martini painting, “Olive Party.” I’m still having a great time. Recent projects include painting a line of guitars for Guns N’ Roses, sculptures for charities like St. Jude’s and designing my own slot machines called Godard’s Rockin’ Olives. I have even painted a grand piano as part of a permanent art collection on a Princess cruise ship. Crazy.
I’ve always wanted to have my own line of Vodka simply because it just makes sense, so the fact that I’m actually getting to explore that now is probably the most exciting project I’ve ever done. It’s something I’ve dreamed of doing for years. Every type of product or licensing that has my name on it is a direct reflection of me. So it’s like choosing a spouse (LOL): I want the perfect company as a partner, someone who shares my vision, my passion, and will enjoy the journey forever – a business soul mate, if you will. It has taken many years and finally the stars have all aligned, and the Vodka is taking off like a rocket since its launch this year.
Godard Vodka is unique; it is “coloring outside the lines.” The black bottle is like my black canvas, which makes it stand out. Like my art, every bottle is part of a limited edition individually numbered. And the taste is as smooth as it gets, hence the name “Mr. Smooth.”
When people attend my art shows, it always goes well because I’m standing there as kind of a cheerleader; but, at some point, the show ends and my art has to stand on its own. The same thing holds true for Mr. Smooth Godard Vodka. The response has been overwhelmingly successful and so much fun, but I think people will still be collecting the bottles and enjoying the flavor for many years to come.
I’m so grateful for just having this opportunity, that I don’t just want you to enjoy it with your friends, I want it to knock your socks off!! So fasten your seatbelt and bottoms up!
Michael Godard
michaelgodard.com
Facebook.com/OfficialGodard
Twitter @OfficialGodard