Korey Gulbrandson’s abstract paintings walk the line between intention and chance: a layer of acrylic paint is suspended between two layers of wax and moves as it dries, creating texture, adding spontaneity and evoking images of erosion.

Of his use of collage, he says, “I use random imagery, it just adds more flavor and leads you a little farther down a trail of mystery”.

Gulbrandson started drawing as a child (he won a coveted 7-foot tall toy-stuffed stocking through a supermarket coloring contest), but did not start painting until high school when he found a cache of old oil paints that belonged to his mother—and found his destiny.

“I just know what I need to do: I have to paint, say the Portland native. When I paint, everything falls into place.”