Cole Gunter
Fort Worth, TX
ARTIST STATEMENT
“Through my paintings, I seek to express feelings of nostalgia— capturing the tension between calm vs. chaos, humor vs. seriousness, reminiscence vs. contemporary issues.
Growing up in Texas during the 90s, I am deeply influenced by the simplicity and richness of that era—a time when life felt a bit slower and design had more intention. Inspired by Texas’ nature, history, and legendary figures, I’m also moved by American traditional tattoos, classic cars and trucks, mid-century architecture, and vintage advertising, like what you’d find in old Playboys. I aim to capture a
sense of a different time—one that feels simpler and more authentic.
I want my viewers to feel as if they’re listening to vinyl records in a Frank Lloyd Wright home or drinking cheap beer in a smoky bar,
shooting pool. My paintings fall somewhere within the realm of Conceptual Contemporary Impressionism. I work primarily with acrylics, using
two main techniques. Sometimes, I blend acrylics with an oil-like approach to create depth and structure. Other times, I apply acrylics
loosely as a base, using oil sticks on top to define the details and texture in the piece. The contrast between simplicity and messiness in my process mirrors the contradictions and irony I see in the world—where things are not always as they appear at first glance. At times, my paintings are easy to digest, inviting immediate reflection; at other times, I want to provoke deeper thought and introspection.”
