Home Cooking
My latest piece, "Gilly", is an 8.5" x 11" acrylic portrait on cardstock created with a gel plate technique, and it's one that comes from deep in the heart. This artwork is a tribute to one of my closest friends, Gil—a true partner in crime and the kind of person who’s been there through the wildest, most unforgettable chapters of life. From getting in trouble back in high school, to diving with sharks and climbing mountains (literally and figuratively), Gil has always brought energy, courage, and an unmatched sense of humor to the table. These artworks are my time capsules—my way of honoring the people who shaped me and making sure their stories live on, not just in memory, but in art.
For this portrait, I selected a reference photo that captured one of Gil’s signature exaggerated expressions—one of many from his endless catalogue of over-the-top faces that always light up a room. I painted him in a dark blue shirt to represent the grounded, wise phase he’s grown into, but kept the background a blinding, electric yellow—because no matter how calm or "elder statesman" he gets, his presence still hits you like a solar flare. The flat flesh tone helps focus the viewer on the expression and color story, and together it’s a piece that celebrates not only the person, but the joy, intensity, and love behind decades of friendship.
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Private Collection of Gilbert Lopez