| Obed Gómez | |
| Birth Name: | Obed Gómez |
| Birth Date: | 1966 |
| Birth Place: | Santurce, Puerto Rico |
| Nationality: | Puerto Rican |
| Known For: | Painting |
| Training: | Andres Buseo Academy |
| Movement: | Modern art |
| Awards: | Paoli Award in the Visual Arts Category (2004) |
Obed Gómez a.k.a. "The Puerto Rican Picasso" (born 1966) is a Puerto Rican artist of modern art.
Gómez was born and raised in Santurce, a section of in San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico. His grandmother was the first to believe that someday he would become an artist when she saw him drawing at the age of three. He received his primary education in a public school, however when he was eleven he took private art classes. He was sent to the League of Art of San Juan, where he took classes in drawing and painting.[1]
After Gómez graduated from high school, he enrolled in the University of the Sacred Heart in San Juan. He also studied simultaneously at the Andres Buseo Academy where he took art classes. He earned his bachelor's degree in Communications with a minor in visual arts from the University of the Sacred Heart.[2]
At first he was not successful as an artist and instead he faced personal problems which kept him from fulfilling his potential as an artist. His life changed when he moved to Orlando, Florida in 1995 and met his future wife Sarah Lloyd. Sarah encouraged him by insisting that he accompany her to art shows. She inspired him by telling him that he too could produce works of art. He also became a born again Christian. Gomez set up an art studio in a spare room of his home.[1] [2]
Gomez developed a style which ranges from vividly realistic to wildly abstract, with a lot of luscious whimsy in between.[3] His subjects may vary from a dancer to a rooster with the colors of the Puerto Rican flag. The culture and heritage of Puerto Rico are represented in many of his paintings. Gomez's trademark is the bold and bright hues he favors. His art work have appeared on the covers of the Puerto Rican Professional and Business Leaders Guide, the brochure for Orlando's Puerto Rican Parade and O! Arts Magazine.[1]
His art work was exhibited at the Galeria Latina in Cornwall, England where a critic nicknamed him the "Puerto Rican Picasso".[3] His work has also been exhibited at the following places:[2]
In 2003, Gomez was named the godfather of the Melbourne Puerto Rican Day Parade.[3] In 2004 Lifetime Network, choose Gomez's artwork to decorate the set of "Division". In that year, he was also awarded the Paoli Award in the Visual Arts Category.[1] [3]
Even though some of his paintings have sold for over $5,000 (U.S. Dollars), Gomez has donated many of his works to children fund raising auctions.[3] He also created the web page for "Give Kids the World", an organization which grants wishes to children with life-threatening diseases.[2]
Obed Gomez is currently a graphic designer, painter and a youth art professor. He lives in Orlando with his wife and children.[1] [3]