Johnny Gaik
acrylic
Originally from Illinois and now residing in Longs, SC, Johnny Gaik, considers himself an outsider artist. Largely self-taught, Johnny has had little connection with conventional art resources, instead drawing inspiration from the music scenes of his adolescence in Ohio, Pennsylvania and finally Michigan. He especially related to indie alternative and punk rock music. According to the artist, zine art with its mixed media, classic punk style collage work was his first introduction into creating artwork. This, as well as the surrealist painters of the 20th century, including Salvador Dali and Max Ernst, have had a major impact on his artistic styling. On his 26th birthday, a friend gifted him a large assortment of oil paints, brushes, and canvases. He hasn’t looked back since. Johnny has shown his work in Michigan and the Coventry Biennial in Coventry, England. Upon displaying his work here at Sunset River Gallery, Johnny says he is happy to be on the same walls with so many talented artists.
