Just try to find an area of design in which Gabriel Solis has not excelled. From designing studio and building sets for MTV and product storyboards for Mattel's favorite gal, Barbie TM , to creating archival framing for private art collectors such as Steve Martin, Cher, and Demi Moore, to colorizing vintage black and white films for Ted Turner, Gabriel has spent over 20 years honing his artistic skills.

Gabriel moved from Los Angeles to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1997, to start a family and get back in touch with his mid-western roots. Utilizing his BA in computer graphics, Gabriel developed a boutique Internet advertising agency, Direct-Web Advertising, and continues to work with a few select clients. In addition, he freelances as a successful on-site corporate artist and a private commission artist. With Gabriel's background in the entertainment and design industries, it was only natural for his artisan business, Illuminati Creative Services , to expand beyond the canvas to walls, furniture, ceilings, and architectural structures.

Today, Gabriel works closely with decorators, builders, and individual clients to bring a multi-dimensional feel to interior and exterior spaces. He has the ability to transform a client's vision into reality while still bringing to the project his own experience and interpretation. Utilizing elements from traditional art form and entertainment industry set design, his artwork and decorative painting are unique in a field bogged down with sponge and rag-wash faux-finishing techniques. He is known for his masters' style in antiquing and gilding, trompe l'oeil, murals, and stunning design finishes.

 

 

Experience

ILLUMINATI CREATIVE SERVICES , Little Rock, AR
Owner/Lead Artisan
Nationally known for his masters' style in antiquing and gilding, trompe l'oeil, murals, and stunning architectual design finishes.

DIRECT-WEB ADVERTISING, Little Rock, AR
President/Creative Director
Conceptual design and implementation of private and corporate websites, including sales, customer service, and online promotion.

ERNST & YOUNG/ KENNETH LEVENTHAL,
Los Angeles, CA
Senior Graphic Designer/Creative Director
Conceptual design and illustration of presentation art, brochures, promotional literature, and corporate newsletters for clients and partners globally.

FREELANCE DESIGN, Los Angeles, CA:
Created and produced various projects for companies including, but not limited to:

MATTEL INC., Los Angeles, CA:
Prepared storyboards for products including "Paint and Dazzle Barbie", "101 Dalmatians", and Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Last Action Hero" advertising campaigns.

WARNER BROS., Los Angeles, CA:
Illustrations for 1996 Summer Olympics "Tiny Toons" sticker games campaign.

COLOR SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES(Ted Turner Industries), Los Angeles, CA:
Colorization and animation of vintage black and white films such as "Miracle on 42nd Street", and "Red River" using avdanced SGI colorizing programs.

MEDIA DEVELOPMENT INC., Los Angeles, CA:
Complete corporate identity, web site design and development for the Internet.

MTV / VH-1 / TIM CONWAY PRODUCTIONS / ROBSON FILMS, Los Angeles, CA:
Storyboard, set design, scenic painting and web production for the gameshow "Trashed", "1994 Music Video Awards", 1995, 1996 Movie and Music Video Awards, web site implementation, special presentations, commercials and feature films such as Beetlejuice and Gordy.

SKECHERS/ LA GEAR, Los Angeles, CA:
Conceptual design and illustration of merchandising and promotional items for international tradeshows, storyboards, and set design for advertising campaigns.

ART SERVICES, INC., Los Angeles, CA
Designed archival framing of original artwork from numerous masters (Picasso, Chagall, Warhol) for interior designers, museums, and private collectors (such as: Vincent Price, Steve Martin, David Lynch, Cher, Demi Moore). Consulted with the interior design trade, art restorers, fine art retailers, and major art dealers. Conception, design, and promotion of exclusive Plexiglas furniture lines.

WQAD-TV (an ABC affiliate), Moline, IL
Prepared TV Guide and newspaper media advertising campaigns. Designed on-air graphics, in-house animation, and newsletters. Designed and built sets and marketing campaigns for television shows, special events, telethons, and on-location productions.

EDUCATION:

MARYCREST INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Davenport, IA
Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design. Minors: Journalism, Art history, Advertising. Honors: 1985 MAC Award for "Most Artistically Courageous".

PLATT COLLEGE., Los Angeles, CA
Certification: Computer Graphics. Honors: Inducted into "Wall of Fame" for Graphic Design.

SPECIFIC SKILLS:
Flash, Fireworks, Dreamweaver and Freehand, Illustrator, Quark Xpress, Photoshop, FrontPage, HTML, DHTML, 3D, and traditional illustration skills. Knowledge of a wide array of art mediums including, but not limited to acrylics, guache, oils, watercolors, marker comps, tempera, and colored pencil. Fluent with Macintosh, PC, and Silicon Graphics operating systems.

Gabriel is available by appointment for private consultations and examples of his work can be seen at www.gabrielsolis.com .

1-501-765-2882
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