Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel Karagianis.
Gabriel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I think I was around 4 years old when I visited an illustrator’s art studio with my grandfather, I knew then that I wanted to be an artist and I wanted to have a studio to produce work in. I used my drawing ability to make friends at school – we moved around a lot growing up. After high school, I attended The American Academy of Art in Chicago where I was heavily inspired by the graffiti art scene — along with the school’s traditional approach to figurative and neoclassical art. When I graduated, my main objective was to paint and I found a studio 2 years later which I have kept for the last 13 years.
I wanted to see if there was any water in the well and I’m still pulling up buckets full.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Shortly after I began producing paintings in 2005, I received a lot of support and encouragement from close friends – then friends of friends – then people who knew friends, etc. It came as no surprise to people that knew me that I was making art and selling it. I was confident in what I was producing and I knew it was good work so I had no trouble representing myself.
It’s hard to know at first – “how much time should I spend promoting the work and chasing shows?” versus “how much time I should spend developing my work and explore the process of making.”
There needs to be a solid studio practice and there needs to be a hustler to go get the money to keep the studio lights on… this balance is a struggle for me… I love the solitary studio practice, the hustle is not so enjoyable to me. The idea of celebrity runs completely counter to the selfless experience that I feel when working in the studio.
Though, its taken a while, I feel I’m getting better at riding the swell and the trough… trying to create a bigger swell and a smaller trough.
The main struggle is very basic – eat well, exercise, sleep well, stay healthy.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Original Artwork by Gabriel Karagianis story. Tell us more about the business.
I make allegorical, symbolism paintings. I often produce work in batches or a series of related subject/style intended for a specific show or a specific collector.
I do work that is commissioned for private collections and also commercial work for businesses… which often crosses into branding or logo work as well.
I’m known for infusing all of my work with a layer of symbolism that addresses the viewer on a more personal and confrontational level. Whether it is a commercial logo or an allegorical painting, the work always reaches deep into the archetypal nature of the human psyche.
I believe that this is the reason why my work is so satisfying to those who have engaged with it over the years. I continue to develop that depth with every piece.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have had the greatest luck my whole life… if there is such a thing. Loving and supportive family, great friends, great relationships. In traveling, I always meet the most accommodating hosts, even though, I have taken plenty of risks. I am my greatest resistance. The universe seems to want to give it all and my apprehensive nature and skepticism has become my biggest teacher. So, my experience has given me much to be thankful for. This world is hell for some and I’ve been placed in a very heavenly scenario for the time… I’m very grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gkartwork.com
- Phone: 2245231464
- Instagram: @gkartwork
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