Adrian Gottlieb

Yankee Summer, ©2000 Oil on Linen, Birch Panel Private Collection, Virgina

Adrian Gottlieb is inspired by the Naturalist tradition; applying the philosophy to contemporary realist themes and portraiture.  His works have been exhibited at the Panorama Museum in Germany,   the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art in Atlanta and the Pasadena Museum of California Art in California.  His paintings are in both private and public collections throughout the United States, in Europe and Scandinavia. 

As a Natural Realist, Gottlieb works directly from life and assiduously avoids the use of photographic reference material or optical aids.  He paints as one who understands the value of mastering technique as a means of communicating in a universal visual language, validating the eternal relevance of realism in art.

From early childhood, Adrian drew and painted from nature, rented taxidermy specimens, and copied 19th century zoological drawings and portraits, building an early foundation for the pursuit of representational expression.
 
By 15, Adrian had exhibited in the state capitol and been recognized by Vermont's Governors Madeline Kunin and Dr. Howard Dean. His painting of Abenaki Tribal Council members won second place in the Congressional Art Competition and was purchased by the University of Vermont for permanent exhibition.

In 1993, Adrian was chosen a first place winner of the Young Inventors and Creators of America Award, sponsored by The Foundation for a Creative America; a Div. of the US Patents, Trademarks, and Copyright Offices. The award culminated in an awards ceremony and exhibition held at the Jefferson Building of the US Library of Congress in Washington, DC and a commendation from then Vice President Al Gore. 

As a freshman at Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts, Adrian became eager for training in more pragmatic methods of drawing and painting.  The curriculum offered by CMU was heavily focused on modernist / post-modernist expression. In response, he began investigating Atelier study.

After transferring to RIT and changing his major to illustration, he enhanced his studio art curriculum by attending Charles H. Cecil Studios in Florence, Italy for three summer terms.  It was under the tutelage of Charles Cecil and Nicholas Beer, that Gottlieb was first exposed to the near lost drawing and painting techniques developed from the Renaissance through the early impressionists. 

Intrigued by an exhibit at La Specola museum, Gottlieb pursued independent study in gross anatomy and anatomical drawing through an arrangement between RIT and Rochester University Medical School.  He earned his BFA (with high honors) in 1998 and immediately enrolled in the Intensive Drawing Program at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. 

He was soon invited to join the full 3 year Painting Program and studied with Daniel Graves and Simona Dolci; both of whom had studied extensively, including at Studio de Nera Simi, and been inspired by their interaction with Italian realist Pietro Annigoni. 

Select advanced students may serve as Atelier Instructors. Gottlieb was influenced by Anthony Ackrill and Maureen Hyde (now full faculty), as well as through interaction with a diverse international core group comprised of uniquely dedicated students and already experienced painters.  Gottlieb served as an instructor in varying capacities from 2001 through March 2002. 

Gottlieb completed his studies at the FAA but remained at the academy through the end of spring term 2002. He left to focus on developing a more personal style and to pursue exploration of 16th and 17th century painting techniques.

Remaining in Italy, Gottlieb painted and taught privately. In 2002 he won first place in the ARC International Scholarship Competition and was awarded an honorarium to study composition privately with Maureen Hyde.  During the same year he was nominated by internationally renowned art historian and author, Professor John T. Spike, PhD, and invited to exhibit as part of the Biennale International dell'Arte Contemporanea 2003..

Teaching Experience
During 2003 Adrian was offered a private painting studio and a faculty position with the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art in Van Nuys, California.  During his two years with LAAFA, Gottlieb introduced Bargue drawing, Cast Drawing, cast painting in Grisaille, and drawing and painting in oil from the live model.

Gottlieb no longer teaches at LAAFA.  In 2005, he left to open a private studio located in Echo Park, California, Gottlieb Studios & Atelier.  He dedicates his time to his ongoing personal artistic development, commissioned portrait sittings and painting larger bodies of work for gallery exhibition.  He teaches painting techniques two days per week.

Viewing Gottlieb's paintings in person, one is immediately struck by the painterly quality of his work; imparting a life force sorely missing in flat, Photo-Realist work.  While he has expanded his themes to include more landscape and still life, Gottlieb’s passion remains centered on figurative compositions. 

Adrian Gottlieb is first and foremost a professional painter.  He offers highly personalized traditional training in a small studio setting, designed in the apprenticeship tradition: Painting the Figure in Oils.