Gail Lehman

Gail Lehman: An Abstract Visionary Gail Lehman, a distinguished artist rooted in Carmel By The Sea, California, intertwines her rich East Coast upbringing and her vast experiences in architectural design with the bold strokes of abstract expressionism. Born in New York City, Lehman's initial years were marked by an academic pursuit in Government and Design at esteemed institutions like Cornell University and Harvard College. Transitioning from the rigorous world of architectural design, where she astoundingly completed projects spanning 2.5 million sq. ft., including high-rise commercial offices and hospitals, Lehman's artistry underwent an evolution. Her passion for painting led her to explore the limitless realms of abstract expressionism, a journey that has firmly established her in the art world. Today, her pieces grace the walls of admirers across 12 U.S. cities and have found homes in 4 European countries. One of her masterpieces, "The Lady in Red," found its way to Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 2013, a heartwarming gesture from a collector wishing to honor his grandmother's memory. Another commissioned piece, symbolizing a scholarship to honor his mother, will soon accompany this painting. In 2023, Lehman achieved a remarkable feat by being shortlisted as one of the 300 finalists for the prestigious Crocker-Kingsley exhibition, chosen from an overwhelming 2,500 applications. Her artistic journey has been a tale of accolades, recognition, and unrelenting passion. Exhibitions: Solo Shows: Sylvan Gallery, Sand City, CA, 2010 Artist of the Month, Santana Row, CA, 2011 Arps & Co., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2014 A Venue Gallery, San Francisco, CA, 2015 Selected Group Shows: Crocker-Kingsley, Sacramento/Roseville, CA, 2022-23 Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA, 2023 Sunset Center, Carmel by the Sea, CA, 2020 (Themed: "You Can’t Quarantine Creativity") Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey, CA, 2012-16 ... [Additional exhibitions truncated for brevity] Accolades and Service: Painting "The Lady in Red" added to the Marywood University Collection, Scranton, PA. Honorable Mention at the 4th Colorful Art Exhibition by Fusion ART, Palm Springs, CA. Finalist at Blue Line Arts, Roseville, CA. ... [Additional honors truncated for brevity] Gail's work, much like her life, is a testament to her versatility, commitment, and an unwavering passion for expression. Her paintings, a melange of vibrant hues and textured strokes, not only reflect her profound experiences but also resonate with the myriad emotions and stories of those who have the privilege of viewing them. Gail Lehman is not just an artist; she is a storyteller of the abstract world.

Bring audacious experiments with color and textures to your living room, dining room or home office. Abstract paintings, large or small, will stand out in your space, encouraging conversation and introducing a museum-like atmosphere that’s welcoming and conducive to creating memorable gatherings.

Abstract art has origins in 19th-century Europe, but it came into its own as a significant movement during the 20th century. Early practitioners of abstraction included Wassily Kandinsky, although painters were exploring nonfigurative art prior to the influential Russian artist’s efforts, which were inspired by music and religion. Abstract painters endeavored to create works that didn’t focus on the outside world’s conventional subjects, and even when artists depicted realistic subjects, they worked in an abstract mode to do so.

In 1940s-era New York City, a group of painters working in the abstract mode created radical work that looked to European avant-garde artists as well as to the art of ancient cultures, prioritizing improvisation, immediacy and direct personal expression. While they were never formally affiliated with one another, we know them today as Abstract Expressionists.

The male contingent of the Abstract Expressionists, which includes Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Robert Motherwell, is frequently cited in discussing leading figures of this internationally influential postwar art movement. However, the women of Abstract Expressionism, such as Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell and others, were equally involved in the art world of the time. Sexism, family obligations and societal pressures contributed to a long history of their being overlooked, but the female Abstract Expressionists experimented vigorously, developed their own style and produced significant bodies of work.

Draw your guests into abstract oil paintings across different eras and countries of origin. On 1stDibs, you’ll find an expansive range of abstract paintings along with a guide on how to arrange your wonderful new wall art.

If you’re working with a small living space, a colorful, oversize work can create depth in a given room, but there isn’t any need to overwhelm your interior with a sprawling pièce de résistance. Colorful abstractions of any size can pop against a white wall in your living room, but if you’re working with a colored backdrop, you may wish to stick to colors that complement the decor that is already in the space. Alternatively, let your painting make a statement on its own, regardless of its surroundings, or group it, gallery-style, with other works.