Gabriel Haze

These paintings are my personal therapy into understanding and accepting the insect kingdom. By learning their ways, studying their structures and forcing myself to paint them in detail, I am able to move past the fear and find ways to see their beauty beyond the surface. 'Filling In The Holes' was showcased at the Orlando Museum of Art's surrealism exhibit in late early 2009.

Acrylic, 2009

The second message behind the series is more of a personal journey through fear. As a child I have always been afraid of insects, especially spiders. Much of this probably has to do with a film I saw when I was young titled 'Something Wicked This Way Comes'. I recalled a scene where a young boy was sleeping in his bed, only to be awaken by tarantulas covering his bedroom walls.

Acrylic, 2009

This series was created to convey two messages. First of which was to depict the world after mankind had left, giving even the tiniest beasts free rein over what we allowed to consume the earth. Every scene has a story that deals with a situation where the moment stood still. 'Unstable Foundation' allows the imagination to decide what was left behind and helps the individual to focus on the lack of care that insects have in regards to our morality, or lack there of.

Acrylic, 2009

'Valentine's Day Massacre' was supposed to have a box chocolates that lay in disarray amongst these water worms and help the viewer focus on the loss of love. It was never completed due to my inability at the time to continue the thought process of why the painting was even started. The door was never closed on the individual this piece was meant for and as a result the painting remains incomplete.

Acrylic, 2009

In my hometown of Detroit there was and still may be a large mural painted on the side of one the downtown skyscrapers. It's creator was an artist by the name of Robert Wyland. This painting is meant to pay homage to his work and the beauty his vision has left within me.

Watercolor, Airbrush, Acrylic. ca. 1996

Between the years of 1996 and 1998 I was introduced heavily into the arts when I was allowed to take four hours of art a day in high school due to my already successful GPA record. As a result, my teachers and mentors Mrs. Dworkin and Mrs. Venaleck submersed me in an array of art forms including digital painting, jewelry smithing, wood work, clay sculpture and paint. Pictured left is one of my first paintings using a favorite medium of mine, gouache.

Gouache, ca. 1997

Originally designed to be a name plate, 'My Personal Pandora' took on a life of it's own, depicting from sadder moments in my life the beauty that lies within. Pandora was another piece that was displayed at the Orlando Museum of Art in mid-2008.

Mixed Media, 2008

Standing 6 feet tall, 'Captives' highly controversial depiction of man vs. religion was displayed at the Orlando Museum of Art's fine art sculpture exhibit. It's goal was to ask the question: can we truly love God if we do not truly love ourselves?

Mixed Media. 2009