Erik Ross

Artist Gabriel Portillo, also known as "Paste," was born in Alpine, Texas. He currently resides and is based out of Austin, Texas. Growing up in Alpine, Gabriel had the opportunity to take art lessons as a child from a local artist, Charlie Bell. This is when his love for creating was sparked. Gabriel continued taking art classes in junior high and high school. After a couple years in college Gabriel decided to move to Austin to further his career in art.

Intrigued by the public and street art, his transition into becoming a muralist has become a big part of his focus. While his interest in murals has grown, his love for his studio practice has emerged within the past couple years. The overall act of creating is essential to Gabriel's being. Always evolving and constantly keeping an eye out for a new idea to spark, Gabriel continues to show enthusiasm for creating art.

Inspiration isn’t something I necessarily go in search of. I try to maintain a fluid lifestyle and let inspiration come to me per say. “Inspiration exists, but it must find you working”-Picasso. I firmly stand behind this quote. All that being said, inspiration has found me through family, friends, music, scenery, and readings. A lot of ideas flow from being in the studio and being present. I try to keep my everyday life open to new ideas. Whether that be a sunset, a shadow from a stop sign, the color of a flower. Whatever it may be I try to be with it and find ways to incorporate it into my work.

My goals for art really haven’t changed. My personal goals for my wellness have and that has shaped my art in the right direction. My western pyschadelia style which I would say I’m more known for is very much as strong as ever right now. My imagery and color palettes have gotten stronger. I’m more open now and realized I don’t have to just paint one style. There are no rules and I am expressing that with this new body of work.

I have a Kobe Bryant tattoo, Mamba mentality pretty much is how I see the world. He just says one thing, and one thing that I can say and will take with me every day, is just get better every day in whatever sense of the way that is you know be great, believe in your work, and from there, it just kind of plays itself out.