Biography

Paul Gazur was born in former Czechoslovakia where he lived until 1985, when he "fled" the communist regime. He found his freedom in the USA, and he currently lives in San Diego. His early work had nothing to do with the sea, landlocked in Czechoslovakia he had never even seen the ocean.

Paul's July 1986 visit to Monterey Bay was a defining moment in his life, for it was the first time he had ever seen the ocean. This experience, and living along the California coastline, has greatly influenced his passion for the ocean, and his direction in art. Paul has managed to explore many of the CA beaches while surfing the coast. These surf trips have helped inspire his passion and love of the sea.  Through his works, Paul hopes to share with you it's endless beauty.

Bio by Gigi D'Jamos, his long time friend

Personal Statement

My paintings are my small contributions to future generations, as was the gift to me of artists of our past. I capture my whereabouts in my paintings of places and people I love; it’s my diary, my footsteps in life recorded each day.

I paint from life. I have to see it, breath it, touch it and fall in love with it for me to paint it. If you love something, it comes through in your art (and in life in general). I seek harmony, good compositions, distance, air quality and ultimately a feeling that drew me to paint the particular scene. Weather it is a dramatic light, a huge wave, fog rolling in, the sound of a crashing wave, or the wind changing the sea, whatever first captured me to paint the scene I try to retain through the finish like an invisible layer. All studio paintings are based on plein-air sketches, or drawings, painted in oil on dutch linen with carefully selected, and tested, permanent oil colors.

Art is a life-long endeavor, but unlike life which ultimately has an end, I hope my paintings will remain long after I am gone for those who love the sea.

My Studio