About the Artist
Environmental aesthetics has preoccupied the art of Patrick Gabriel since his earliest years. Born and raised in Marion, Ohio, he
quickly lived up to his Bohemian heritage - both as a natural, unschooled talent, who has drawn and painted since early
childhood, and as an inveterate traveler, who searches the countryside for elusive moments and subject matter. Painting subjects from
Seattle to Key West, this Northeast Florida resident looks for subjects that represent American values, observing spontaneous moments
in life and nature: compelling, dramatic, and authentic.
Gabriel paints nature, the skies and terrain with a passion for
uncluttered structure and the experience of natural beauty. Through rhythmic patterns that entertain the eye with light, color, texture
and movement, his landscapes sing praises to a more perfect world. As life and technology become more complicated, it's a world where
time stands still and the magic of life unfolds with simplictic beauty. Gabriel's scenic interpretations reminds us that
peace, tranquility and the inherent sacred relationship between man and his environmnet lies within the true meaning of existence.
In
an on-going series that Gabriel calls "Americana" he captures the essence of life in America working from nostalgia, memories and
spontaneous photographs : impressions of real life without glorification or exaggeration. He paints with detailed accuracy for
depth and contrast, and reveals tale-tale elements of the Masters that he has studied. Gabriel's work exudes
with the nostalgic sentiments of Norman Rockwell, the contrast and light of Jan Vermeer, the reductive compositions of Edward
Hopper, the painterly realism of John Singer Seargent, and Impressionistic undertones like those of Claude Monet and Chuck Close.
" I consider myself a visual poet, " Gabriel says, " I paint stories of character, nostalgia, and highlights of the human
experience: such as love, leisure, music, romance and humor.
Gabriel's unbinding creativity is not confined
to one particlular school of thought or style. His contemporary painting styles reveal his versility and appreciation for all forms
of artistic expression and culture including a whimsical world of subtle humor and symbolism that he calls Cafe Art. His
work can be found in numerous private collections, publications, and corporate and public facilities around the country. His
public works include the 75-foot historic mural, " Spectrum - A Portrait of Pensacola " on permanent display at the Pensacola City
Hall in Pensacola, Florida, and " The Aurora Bridge Mural ", Seattle, Washington's largest public art piece at 600-feet long.