Gabriel Paints Miami.

Interview with Patrick Gabriel.I can imagine how fascinating it must be for a business man to look at the life of an artist and realize how this person makes a living out of creating beauty, mixing colors and interpreting light. I am sure everybody thinks that this is basically what an artist do, but it is very refreshing to speak with one and realize how special their minds can be. Gabriel is, without any doubt, one of the most enthusiastic artists I’ve met around the Miami Art Scene. He is a painter with many ways to enjoy life and create his outputs. After his experience in other US cities, Gabriel finally settled in Miami and has his own many reasons to live happy with his decision. CS: Why did you come to Miami? G: Why not? I should have moved here sooner. I chose to live and work in Miami for the lifestyle. I love the tropical climate: the sunsets, the cloud formations, the breezes, the palm trees, and the relaxed atmosphere. I still feel close enough to nature… like the Everglades, the Florida Keys, the waterways and bayous, the best beaches in the world, and my new favorite, Fairchild Garden. I’ve always lived near the water because I like the tranquility and I like to paint reflections and the way light plays on water. To me, living life on, or near a tropical beach is living well, no matter how much money you make. CS: How does the fact of creating your work in Miami affects its results? G: “Accessibility” to an abundance of subject matter and ideas is important to me. I still paint the beaches and scenics of Florida, and continue to paint a series that I call “Americana,” that now includes lifeguard stations, nostalgia and various leisure activities. As an artist and a painter, I consider “what” and “why” I paint … more important than “how,” as long my how is of good quality and of the standards that I expect of myself. But, an injury had caused me to loose my grip and dexterity in my right painting hand a few years back, and while avoiding cervical surgery, led me, again to seek new ways to paint, which took my style of realism to new heights and more creativity, but now I have full use of my grip again and keep painting this style I call Cyber-Realism. CS: What, in your opinion, should be the ideal relationship between the artist and the institutions? G: I don’t know, maybe trust. These days, is there such a thing as an ideal relationship between anybody? It seems that nobody has trust in anyone or in anything, anymore. We are all becoming too selfish, (Looking out for our own interests). Sometimes that becomes a problem with too many cultures, too many ideas, and too many “differences” when actually; we are all part of the same thing. Artists create the artwork… and the institutions display or sell the artwork. It’s like the Yin and the Yang: opposites can only attract if there’s trust. That’s the only way the relationship works at all. However, outside of that relationship, I’d like to see more art reviews in the local press and publications. And, I see a problem in Miami that heavily affects the relationship between the artists and the galleries, and that is that there are too many areas touting themselves as “art districts”…with different nights of the month as their “gallery walk” … it’s confusing and frustrating and sometimes renders these areas as “lack-lustered.” A little bit of cohesion between the institutions and their artists could result in deciding on one night a month for “gallery walk” that would benefit everyone. I think it’s easier to remember if that night is in the first week of the month and not on a weekend when there’s too much entertainment to choose from and these nights should be the Opening nights for the new exhibits which will build anticipation and excitement. By Cynthia Saez. [email protected]