Watermarks 

A closer look at Barron Lake residents

For Gabriel Akre, Barron Lake and its homes are among his favorite subjects to paint.

Gabriel, who graduated from the Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis, for the past three years has truly enjoyed his time on Barron Lake.

“Since we’ve owned this home, I’ve loved water skiing and boating,” he said. Something else he loves is Plein Air painting, which is painting outside on site. “I’ve been doing this for years. When we got this beautiful lake house, I was excited to have another subject to paint.” 

He started by painting his parents’ lake home on Lake Shore Drive and has since completed several others. “I enjoy doing this because Plein Air painting lets you see the scene the most accurately and painting outside on a nice day is extremely pleasing,” he said, noting he can work from a photograph, as well.

“Completing a painting I am proud of is always very satisfying, and even more so when the client loves what I made,” Gabriel said. “I’m trying to create a work of art the client will love and be proud to hang in their home for years to come. A great painting can even become an heirloom.”

In his studio, Gabriel creates more abstract landscape paintings, ones he says are “imaginative and fantastical,” and can work on a larger scale. “The largest painting I’ve made is six feet tall,” he said.  Not too long ago he worked on a time-lapse painting of the City of Indianapolis. View the  video. 

Gabriel, who has artwork currently on public display at the Max Black Fine Art gallery in Granger, also is learning to create sculptures. He is thrilled to have been accepted to the attend the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy, for a three-year figure sculpture program. 

“I’m very excited about this,” he said, noting he is working another part-time job and commissioning lake house paintings as a way to help fund that education.

Samples of his artwork can be viewed on his website or on Instagram at @gabrielakreart. Persons who are interested in commissioning Gabriel to paint a portrait of their lake home can email him at gabriel.akre@me.com or can message him on Facebook.

If you know of a Barron Lake resident who should be featured in Watermarks, let us know. Contact us.

As told by Gabriel Akre. 
Written by Jodi Marneris for the Barron Lake Association website. 2021