Artist as Autodidact

Harrison Gilman with his work Let Me At ‘Em!, 2020, acrylic, oil pastel, charcoal, 54 x 72 in.

Considering his educational background, Santa Barbara native Harrison Gilman had more than a few career options: filmmaker (he earned a BFA in film from New York University), art historian (his minor at NYU), or entertainment executive (another NYU minor). Instead, he chose to become an artist.

It was a gutsy but smart choice, given his talent. Using a multitude of media (oil and acrylic paint, graphite, found objects, and other materials), Gilman has explored a variety of styles, resulting in haunting works with big impact. Recently he’s ventured beyond abstraction, deliberately including characters and symbols in his pieces.

“Being a self-taught artist has forced me to learn entirely by experience,” says the now-L.A.-based 24-year-old, who studied at Santa Barbara’s Multimedia Arts and Design (MAD) Academy. “It forces me to embrace the unknown. Every moment feels like an act of discovery.”

The art world’s response has been positive. Gilman’s first solo show, Breaking Ground, debuted at Galerie Tangerine in Nashville, Tennessee, and his work has been shown locally at the now-shuttered Breakfast Culture Club. His work is available on his website. harrisongilman.com. -L.D.P.