A forerunner of the post-painterly abstraction movement, contemporary artist Gary Komarin approaches each composition with a pure openness to inspiration. With every brushstroke, he builds a visual interpretation of his mindset in that moment, never knowing what he's going to paint next. Komarin asserts that, for him, "the best paintings are the paintings that paint themselves."
Komarin invites risk into his abstract work, and employs daring in every element of his pieces. From his adventurous deployment of spackle and house paint as mediums to his playful use of color and imperfect lines, he pulls forms from a backdrop of consciousness, rather than merely delivering images to a surface. He enjoys instilling a child's sense of wonder into his abstractions and still-lifes, invoking a toddler's experience of "seeing things without knowing what they are."
Born in New York City, Komarin is the son of a Czech architect and Austrian author. He attended art school at Boston University, where painter Phillip Guston became a mentor. Much of Komarin's work nods to Guston, without mimicking or replicating the latter’s signature cartoonish style.
Komarin has exhibited in the United States, Asia, the United Kingdom and throughout continental Europe. In 1996, his work was included in an exhibition at 41 Green Street in New York. He has received numerous awards, including the New York Foundation for the Arts grant in painting, the Joan Mitchell Prize in Painting and the Edward Albee Foundation Fellowship. Komarin lives in rural Connecticut, where he continues to create new work.
Find original Gary Komarin paintings, drawings and mixed media works on 1stDibs.
Cake Painting (Blue, Orange)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Cake Painting (Blue, Orange), 2019 Signed on Recto Mixed media on paper. 129 x 60 cm 51 x 24 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, s...
Mixed Media
Cake Painting
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Cake Painting , 2019 Signed on recto Mixed media on paper 129 x 60 cm 51 x 24 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and hous...
Mixed Media
She Don't Get the Blues in the Blue Room
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin She Don't Get the Blues in the Blue Room, 2021 Mixed media on canvas 121.9 x 152.4 cm 48 x 60 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, ...
Mixed Media
The Magician's Assistant
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin The Magician's Assistant, 2021 Hand signed on the overlap Mixed media on canvas 174 x 198.1 cm 68 1/2 × 78 in Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop...
Mixed Media
Cake Painting (Pink, White, Black)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Cake Painting (Pink, White, Black), 2019 Mixed media on paper 129 x 60 cm 51 x 24 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and ...
Mixed Media
Swimming Pink Loredo
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Swimming Pink Loredo , 2021 Mixed media on canvas 203.2 x 167.7 cm 80 x 66 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house p...
Mixed Media
Big Pink, Roma
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Big Pink, Roma, 2020 Signed on overlap Mixed media on canvas 201 x 184 cm 79.13 x 72.44 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackl...
Mixed Media
Big Pink, Majorca
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Big Pink, Majorca, 2020 Mixed media on canvas 152.4 x 121.9 cm 60 x 48 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house pain...
Mixed Media
Cake Painting (White, Gold)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Cake Painting (White, Gold), 2019 Mixed media on paper 129 x 60 cm 50 3/4 x 23 5/8 in Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and hou...
Mixed Media
Cake Painting
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Cake Painting , 2019 Signed on front of sheet Mixed media on paper 129 x 60 cm 51 x 24 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle...
Mixed Media
Cake Painting (White, Gold)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Cake Painting ( White, Gold), 2019 Mixed media on paper 129 x 60 cm 51 x 24 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house ...
Mixed Media
The Search for Pure Meaning
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin The Search for Pure Meaning,, 2021 Hand signed and dated on overlap Mixed media on canvas. 138.0 x 127.0 cm Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop c...
Mixed Media
The Ballad of Leandro and Luz
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin The Ballad of Leandro and Luz, 2022 Mixed media on canvas 152.4 x 182.88 cm 60 x 72 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle an...
Mixed Media
A Suite of Blue Sea, Majorca
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin A Suite of Blue Sea, Majorca, 2024 Signed by the artist Mixed media on canvas 152 x 122 cm 60 x 48 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop clo...
Mixed Media
Blue River Running, Antibes
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Blue River Running, Antibes, 2022 Mixed media on canvas 152 x 122 cm 60 x 48 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and hous...
Mixed Media
Cake Painting (Blue, White, Black)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Cake Painting (Blue, White, Black), 2019 Signed on front of sheet Mixed media on paper 129 x 60 cm 51 x 24 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and ...
Mixed Media
Dirty White Hat Hill Road
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Dirty White Hat Hill Road, 2015 Signed Titled and dated on the Overlap Mixed media on canvas 188.0 x 172.0 cm 74 × 67 7/10 inches Eschewing traditional materials in fav...
Mixed Media
A suite of Blue Sea, Salina
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin A suite of Blue Sea, Salina, 2023 Mixed media on canvas 152.4 x 121.9 cm 60 x 48 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and h...
Mixed Media
The Magician's Assistant
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin The Magician's Assistant, 2020 Signed titled and dated on overlap Mixed media on canvas. 152 x 122 cm 60 x 48 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps a...
Mixed Media
Rue Madame in Red, 2018
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Rue Madame in Red, 2018, 2018 Signed titled and dated on overlap Mixed media on canvas. 182.9 x 152.4 cm Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop clot...
Mixed Media
The Geometry of Love
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin The Geometry of Love, 2023 Mixed media on canvas 182.9 x 152.4 cm 72 × 60 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house pa...
Canvas, Mixed Media
Rue Madame in Red, Rico Tati
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Rue Madame in Red, Rico Tati, 2023 Mixed media on canvas 24 x 36 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, Gar...
Mixed Media
Goodly Drawn in Ochre & Crème
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Goodly Drawn in Ochre & Crème, 2012 Signed and dated on overlap Mixed media (water based enamel paint, spackle, charcoal, pencil, oil crayon) on canvas. 121.9 x 121.9 cm...
Mixed Media
Carla Parla Italiano
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Carla Parla Italiano, 2023 Mixed media on canvas 127 x 127 cm 50 x 50 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint,...
Mixed Media
Cake Painting (Yellow, Blue)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Cake Painting (Yellow, Blue), 2019 Mixed media on paper 129 x 60 cm 51 x 24 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house ...
Paper, Mixed Media
Swimming Pink, St Etienne
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Swimming Pink, St Etienne, 2023 Mixed media on canvas 36 x 24 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, Gary K...
Mixed Media
Big Pink, Luxor
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Big Pink, Luxor, 2020 Signed dated and titled on the overlap Mixed Media on canvas 203.2 x 167.7 cm 80 x 66 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and...
Mixed Media
The First Green Rushing #7
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin The First Green Rushing #7, 2012 Signed titled and dated on overlap Mixed media on canvas. 121.9 x 114.3 x 5.1 cm Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and ...
Mixed Media
Dirty White, Borgo Ognassanti
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Dirty White, Borgo Ognassanti,, 2012 Signed on Overlap Mixed media on canvas. 121.9 x 106.7 x 5.1 cm Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, ...
Mixed Media
Farmer's Logic
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Farmer's Logic, 2022 Mixed media on canvas 182.9 x 152.4 cm 72 x 60 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, G...
Mixed Media
Rue Madame in Red, Roma
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Rue Madame in Red, Roma Mixed Media on canvas 182.9 × 152.4 cm 72 x 60 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint...
Mixed Media
Banana on Deep Blue
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Banana on Deep Blue, 2023 Mixed media on wood panel 127 x 61 cm 50 x 24 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house pain...
Mixed Media
Orange on Creme
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Orange on Creme, 2023 Mixed media on canvas 127 x 121.9 cm 50 x 48 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, G...
Mixed Media
$8,000
Ibis
By Gary Komarin
Located in Fairfield, CT
Mixed media on paper 34 x 12 in. Work is currently unframed. Framing is additional
Paper, Mixed Media
Swimming Pink, Luxor
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Swimming Pink, Luxor , 2023 Mixed media on canvas 24 x 48 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, Gary Komari...
Mixed Media
$6,500
Loosha
By Gary Komarin
Located in Fairfield, CT
Mixed media on paper 34 x 12 in. Work is currently unframed. Framing is additional
Paper, Mixed Media
Vessel VIII
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Vessel VIII, 2020 Mixed media on paper 76.0 x 58.0 cm Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, Gary Komarin finds ro...
Mixed Media
Creme on Chocolat (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Creme on Chocolat (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with deckled edge 76.2 x 58.4 cm Esch...
Mixed Media
Vessel VII
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Vessel VII, 2020 Mixed media on paper 76.0 x 58.0 cm Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, Gary Komarin finds room...
Mixed Media
$8,000
Roma
By Gary Komarin
Located in Fairfield, CT
Mixed media on paper 34 x 12 in. Work is currently unframed. Framing is additional.
Paper, Mixed Media
Vessel V
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Vessel V, 2020 Mixed media on paper 76.0 x 58.0 cm Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, Gary Komarin finds room i...
Mixed Media
$7,849
Vessel
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Vessel I, 2020 Signed bottom left corner. Mixed media 76.0 x 58.0 cm Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, Gary Ko...
Mixed Media
Charcoal on Creme (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Charcoal on Creme (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 Signed in bottom left hand corner. India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper wit...
Mixed Media
Creme on Orange with Hints of Lemon and Lime
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Creme on Orange with Hints of Lemon and Lime, 2023 Mixed media on canvas 127 x 121.9 cm 50 x 48 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths...
Mixed Media
Black on Lemon (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Black on Lemon (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 Signed in bottom left corner. India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with deckle...
Mixed Media
Teale on Slate (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Teale on Slate (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2021 Bottom left hand corner India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with deckled edge 76.2...
Mixed Media
White on Slate (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Teale on Slate (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2021 Bottom left hand corner India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with deckled edge 76.2...
Mixed Media
Black on Hot Pink (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Black on Hot Pink (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 Signed in bottom left hand corner. India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper wit...
Mixed Media
Cherry on Pink (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Cherry on Pink (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 Signed in bottom left corner. India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with deckle...
Mixed Media
Vessel VI
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Vessel VI, 2020 Mixed media on paper 76.0 x 58.0 cm Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, Gary Komarin finds room ...
Mixed Media
Vessel IX
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Vessel IX, 2020 Mixed media on paper 76.0 x 58.0 cm Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint, Gary Komarin finds room ...
Mixed Media
Creme on Orange with Hints of Lemon and Lime
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Creme on Orange with Hints of Lemon and Lime, 2023 Mixed media on canvas 127 x 121.9 cm 50 x 48 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths...
Mixed Media
Raspberry on Lime
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Raspberry on Lime, 2023 Mixed media on wood panel 127 x 61 cm 50 x 24 inches Eschewing traditional materials in favor of tarps and drop cloths, spackle and house paint,...
Mixed Media
Lemon on Slate (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Lemon on Slate (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with deckled edge. 76.2 x 58.4 cm Eschew...
Mixed Media
Black on Lime (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Black on Lime (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 Signed in bottom left hand corner India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with dec...
Mixed Media
White on Charcoal (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin White on Charcoal (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with deckled edge 76.2 x 58.4 cm Esch...
Mixed Media
Lime on Creme (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Lime on Creme (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 Signed in bottom left corner India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with deckled ...
Mixed Media
White on Black (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin White on Black (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with deckled edge 76.2 x 58.4 cm Eschewi...
Mixed Media
Guacamole on Lemon (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Guacamole on Lemon (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 Signed in bottom left hand corner. India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper wi...
Mixed Media
Black on Teale (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor)
By Gary Komarin
Located in London, GB
Gary Komarin Black on Teale (From Fifteen Vessels at Kit Mandor), 2018-2021 Signed in bottom left hand corner. India ink and water-based enamel paint on Stonehenge creme paper with d...
Mixed Media