Born in Brainerd, Minnesota, 1963, Gary Welton was raised in a creative family of visual artists, singers, and dancers. He received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in studio arts from the University of Minnesota, studying under artists Peter Buso, Herman Somberg, and Malcolm Meyers.

To the viewer, Gary Welton’s art feels like it’s moving. The colors mixed with thick charcoal lines add layers of motion that we see passing through the piece as legs cross and arms sway. It’s easy for us to get lost in the blend of colors and lines up close, but as we step back, we see the art for what it is: a dance.

Gary Welton calls his work “abstract firgurism.” He paints dance and movement, expressing this through the human form and wildly expressive color. He often works with a dancer directly in front of him, enabling him to capture the twists, turns, and bends of the body. His pieces are alive with motion, seeming to capture every shift of form and pose of his model. The results, on highly textured canvas, are elegant, storied, and alive, often reminiscent of Marcel Duchamp’s Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2.

Welton’s work has been shown across the country and is collected throughout the world. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors; his work and process has been featured in numerous articles, television, and video productions.