By Heather Collins
Zionsville’s CV Art and Frame will host the whimsical world of Brown County-based international artist Gabriel Lehman Nov. 3 and 4. Lehman’s artwork celebrates child-like wonderment and playfully features stop-motion, film-like characters.
“I work in character form because it’s fun for me. I’ve always loved cartoons and I try not to take things too terribly seriously,” Lehman said. “I keep it light and fun.”
Lehman said he utilizes cinematic-styled lighting, hidden light sources and exaggerated colors in the shadows of his artwork. Lehman sticks with what he knows and draws inspiration from sunrises, sunsets, cooking utensils and things that make sense in his world.
“I can always go there and paint something. Even if I don’t feel inspired, I can always paint something from my world,” Lehman said.
Lehman started selling his work internationally after a post about his art appeared on the front page of Reddit. Locally, Lehman was the 2015 Art vs. Art grand prize winner, the People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice winner for the Noblesville Art on the Square and received the Best in Media award for painting at the Carmel International Arts Festival last year as well as the Midwest Salute to the Arts in Illinois.
Lehman enjoys the artistic, creative and playful flair of Carmel and is excited to interact with the community during the artist reception.
“The work that I wish to do is directly related to the joy that people get from it,” Lehman said.
CV Art and Frame, 110 S. Main St., will host an artist reception with Lehman from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 3 and 1 to 8 p.m. Nov. 4.
Lehman also uses his art to express his humanitarian spirit. Lehman created a mural in the common room at the WellSpring Center Transitional Housing in Martinsville and has donated his art to several charities, including Art with a Heart, ReGeneration Indy and the Ellie White Foundation for Genetic Disorders.
For more, visit cvartandframe.com.
