Gwen Cates is a contemporary colorist who creates experimental and playful abstract paintings in acrylic, often with collage elements. The images have been inspired and grew out of earlier plein air landscapes and figurative work. Gwen calls this series of paintings Interior Monologues. Going deeper into her subconscious and the world of dreams, Gwen reveals fantasies from her imagination. She creates archetypal images and incorporates winged figures, horses and other animals in her compositions. Swatches of fabric, lace and lichen from oak trees are some of the elements that are included in the paintings.

Gwen recently was commissioned to paint a 5' & 9' mural of a Cheetah on an Aftican Motif. It was installed in a private home in the Hollywood Hills of LA in December of 2011.

Gwen says of her work, "My goal in painting is to astonish myself and share this sense of wonder with others. I like to take risks and make new discoveries as I paint. Colors emerge that excite me. Shapes become simplified, more abstract. I say things with paint that I cannot otherwise imagine. The act of painting transforms the way I see the world."

Click HERE to go to ABSTRACT.

Click HERE to view the completed CHEETAH MURAL.

 
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