Video Premiere: Patrick Guyton Paints Elegance in Gold

Substrate: a substance or layer that underlies something on which a process occurs. This is where enzymes act, and from which organisms live, grow, or obtain nourishment.

Patrick Guyton is a master at manipulating his substrate of choice—ultra-thin precious metals—to create a surface where hummingbirds, trees, and mysterious women come alive.

Explore Guyton’s fascinating process in Park West Gallery’s exclusive video.

“Where some people can take a canvas and start painting on it…I have to tile each board with gold or silver square by square,” Guyton says.

Patrick Guyton laying gold leaf to prepare his next work of art.

Guyton’s innovative artwork is a blend of centuries-old practices and animation-inspired techniques. The result is a gilded modernism that evokes serene and zen-like themes in a minimalist fashion.

Each Guyton artwork is created by hand. Even if two artworks share the same title, no two are ever identical, making each work of art by Guyton unique.

Guyton’s unique style is a result of his artistic journey. Growing up in Pennsylvania, Guyton earned a degree in Visual Communications from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and moved to California in 1987. He followed in his father’s footsteps and worked as a commercial artist, learning gold leafing and purposeful brushstrokes.

“The dynamics of sign painting are massive when it comes to my technique today,” Guyton says.

Patrick Guyton painting on gold leaf

In 1997, Guyton began working for Warner Brothers as a background painter. He worked under renowned figures in animation, including Chuck Jones, Maurice Noble, and Robert McKimson.

“I believe in those years I learned more than what art school could’ve ever showed me,” Guyton says.

“Mini Bird Series (Gold)” (2013), Patrick Guyton

After leaving animation, Guyton shifted his focus to fine art, drawing inspiration from his fascination with 14^th-century Japanese leafing and 17^th-century Flemish glazing. Today, his artwork is collected around the globe.

To collect the art of Guyton, contact our gallery consultants at (800) 521-9654 ext. 4 during business hours or sales@parkwestgallery.com.