Is That A Photo?
I am a Realist. That’s the Impression That I Get.
In general, I always try to capture the tranquil moments of living on this planet – the glimpses of nature that I remember out of the corner of my eye, or the scenes one simply wants to view and savor.
Sometimes I’ll render extremely realistic elements as close as I can, and other times I let the knife and brush do their organic mix of real and imagined form and color. The sea, land and sky provide a balanced, yet erratic palette for me to choose from.
20 x 16 Acrylic on Canvas
SOLD
A Complex Beginning
My artistic career started when I was 7, but my professional career began in Mystic, Connecticut as the Graphic Designer for the Mystic Marinelife Aquarium. With an initial background in Architecture, it seemed that Graphic Design was the most sustainable career path for me at the time.
Even during my 50 year period as a Designer, Art Director and Creative Director, I always seemed to find a way to squeeze my painting in between my design work, sometimes incorporating my art as commercial illustration. Still, I was never able to truly dedicate my time to painting alone.
A NEW DIRECTION
Transition
While my initial painting technique began with plein air water colors, I have since transitioned to studio pieces composed of Acrylics on Canvas. The subject matter is still drawn from land forms and ocean scenes I remember or have recorded.
I am lucky enough to be able to spend a greater proportion of my creative time on my first artistic love – brushes and pigments and my new artistic love – the palette knife.
And, I am now in the process of bringing my acrylic set of tools out into the plein air again, along with working on larger format pieces in the studio.
The Edge
20 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas
How I Work Today
At any given time, I can be found painting, spraying, framing and sketching in the studio. In addition to working from memory, I have years of photographic references from all over the United States that I will never get to adapt to one of my paintings. In the meantime, I am either photographing new scenes or sitting on a rock painting the current view. If you follow me, you will find a trail of New England inspired vistas and subjects from the coast to the mountains. I hope you enjoy viewing my journey.
Location, location, location
A Dream Come True
Andrew Wyeth has been my idol as an artist from a very early age. Not just his style, but his subject matter. I have followed his life story and viewed his work first hand. My paintings do not have the subtle observation and brush work of his, but I have found myself often asking how he would approach a scene.
I was blessed with the chance to visit Monhegan Island recently and became aware while sitting on the salty ledge of Lobster Cove that simply putting oneself in an exceptional environment can in fact inspire the subtlety and touch needed to create exceptional work. Having a loving and supportive family is also key to any artist’s success. I am lucky to have all of that.
Paul Gaj
July 27, 2026. Lobster Cove, Monhegan Island, Maine
©2026 Paul Gaj