Gary was born in Kenosha, WI in 1938 and grew up in an entrepreneurial and colorful family where homemade Italian meals, culture, and art were significant. After attending the American Academy of Art in Chicago, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1961, where he was an artist and cartographer. He then completed a Bachelor of Science degree in art education at Western Oregon College, in 1975.

He then went on to teach at Chemeketa Community College in Salem and Mount Angel Seminary High School. Gary lived in Portland and Salem while owning and managing a series of clothing stores in Oregon, also painting and showing his work in various Western venues. He moved to Seattle in 1986 and committed more time to painting, sharing a studio for three years with his friend and colleague, Alden Mason. He also owned and managed the Forte Gallery in downtown Seattle for five years. Since that time, Gary has continued to paint and sell his work, largely through a network of previous client. His work has been published on the cover of Portland’s Open Spaces, West Coat Art Gallery Guide, and Sedona’s Best.

Artist Statement

“The mystery and color, light, and shapes in the landscape inspire me. My objective as the artist is to capture a visual illusion, one that I have perceived, and give the viewer a chance to look at it through my eyes.”

Landscape abstraction most accurately describes the style in which Gary paints. The water of Puget Sound and the mountains of Central Oregon inspire him. He paints from visual memories of nature, working mainly in acrylics on canvas. He uses brushes, palette knives, charcoal and layering of transparent and opaque glazes to establish the desired images and effect.

Selected exhibitions

1972-2017 – Portland Art Museum Rental Gallery, Portland, OR
2005-2008 – Turquoise Tortoise Gallery, Sedona AZ
2003-2006 – Attic Gallery, Portland, OR 2005 – Mack Gallery, Seattle, WA 2004 – Attic Gallery, Portland OR 2004 – Museum of Northwest Art Auction, LaConnor, WA
2002-2003 – Earthenworks Gallery, LaConnor, WA
2002-2003 – Lawrence Gallery, Portland and Sheridan, OR
2002 – Wyland Gallery, Seattle, WA
1996-2002 – Forte Gallery, Seattle, WA
1996-1998 – Nelson/Rovzar Gallery, Kirkland, WA
1996 – Pacific NW Annual, Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, WA
1995-1996 – Sandy Carson Gallery, Denver, CO
1994-1995 – Kimsey Miller Art Gallery, Seattle, WA
1993 – The Original Gallery, Del Mar, CA
1990 – Gango Gallery, Portland, Or
1989 – Maveety Gallery, Salishan, OR
1988 – Lawrence Gallery, Portland, OR 1987 – Salem Art Association