Andrea Gabel Paintings

Artist Statement

Plein air landscape painting, which is executing a painting outdoors, has been a passion of mine for many years. Being outdoors while painting has brought me much joy and many skills, including how to laugh when a gust of wind blows your wet painting into the bushes.

I regularly paint outdoors, but have also found a new love for painting larger and more creatively in my studio space. In this way, my love of landscapes comes out with an abstract twist. I recreate a landscape that I painted outdoors using my original plein air painting and photographs. I love to experiment using more creative approaches. The paint itself is applied in diverse ways, color choices are more planned, various shapes are emphasized. I often start with a specific vision or idea, but will not hesitate to go a different course as I am lead by new ideas and thoughts. Some paintings I struggle with, others are easy. With such a heavy background in plein air painting, I've developed an ability to paint fast and gestural. I had a teacher once tell me to stop early on the progression of a painting because it had a freshness and aliveness that would be lost if I continued further. I've learned to love this style of painting.

As my painting journey continues, I will enjoy new ways of expression. It's something I'll never grow tired of and has been a part of my life since childhood