GREGORY PETAN
	BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Born in 1964, Gregory Petan's artistic education began by watching his father, an abstract painter and jazz pianist, create and perform. His exposure to the creative process combined with an undeniable natural gift left little doubt as to Gregory's future in the visual arts. Gregory's formal education began at the Art Institute of Chicago, but after one semester, he realized he wasn't in the right place. "Conceptualism and abstraction were in vogue at that time, and all I wanted to do was learn how to draw and paint." The following semester Gregory found himself at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, a school rooted in the academic tradition of drawing and painting from life, where he completed a degree in illustration and painting. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE After graduating from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Petan began his twelve-year career as a successful illustrator, working on numerous high profile domestic and international accounts including: Phillip Morris, AT&T, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Anheiser Busch and MCI. However, over time, the assignments became redundant and his creative spirit grew restless. "Moving to New York in 1994 was the jolt I needed; the creative energy in this city is so infectious that I had to make the change to fine art." Spending the following years split between commercial assignments, private commissions and refining a new style for his fine art, Gregory has developed a great command of his medium. Combining a rare level of strength, warmth, and sensitivity to each subject he approaches, Gregory is now devoting all of his time to fine art.
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