Before moving to Central Florida, Michael Gilbert was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1976. Like many artists, he turned to art as a means to process emotions and understand the world around him. While drawing was his preferred medium growing up, he didn’t begin painting until 2017.

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Gilbert draws inspiration from a variety of sources including pop culture, hip-hop, current events, and his community. Working primarily with oil paints, he skillfully blends realistic street scenes with abstract embellishments. Portraits of friends and icons of popular culture are tenderly painted with care and emotion.

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Currently Michael Gilbert lives in Sanford, Florida, where he owns and operates a barbershop that also serves as his personal art studio. The vibrant scenes from his shop and the local community provide rich material for his art.