Patrick Gabriel (Kunst)

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American culture and lifestyle, in all of its diversity, has preoccupied the mind and art of Patrick Gabriel throughout his life and art career. Born in Marion, Ohio, in 1957, a descendant of German-Bohemian craftsmen, Gabriel has drawn and painted since early childhood, with what his family called a “natural gift;” but he later found the educational restraints of formal art school out of synch with his dreams of travel and a beach-bum lifestyle. After military service, he found that travel and exposure to a variety of different cultures were just the experiences and observations that he needed to pursue a career as a fine artist. He has been painting full-time since 1980 while maintaining his affection for the Bohemian lifestyle in the “American Riviera” of South Florida.

As an autodidact, Gabriel began his career as an architectural illustrator where he came into contact with numerous designers and architects who also had a need for fine art to complete their design work. He soon gave up reading blueprints to become a commission artist. From portraiture to magazine covers to public murals, Gabriel sought out work that gave meaning to his life and art.

Gabriel’s style of Contemporary Realism combines spontaneous and unchoreographed photography with precision hand-craftsmanship for interpretations that range from Photorealism to Cyber-Realism to a more graphic Pop Art style that he calls Café Art. Whatever style he chooses to work in, the consistent elements that remain are depth and contrasts, either literally or metaphorically, and “minimal” or uncluttered subject matter, intentionally void of unnecessary detail.

As a visual poet, Gabriel still produces paintings for his Americana series, now focused around the South Florida lifestyle and beach scenes of lifeguards and surfers, as well as nostalgia and leisure activities centered around swimming pools and boating. Gabriel reserves his mosaic-like Cyber-Realism for his big head series in which he paints large facial portraits, American celebrities and icons, and renditions and tributes to great art masterpieces.

Gabriel’s work can be found in numerous private collections as well as corporate and public facilities around the country. His public works include the 70-foot historic mural, Spectrum – A Portrait of Pensacola, on permanent display at the New Pensacola City Hall in Pensacola, Florida, and The Aurora Bridge Mural, Seattle, Washington’s, largest public art piece at 600 feet long.

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