The Early Bird

Rich Gabriel is an artist residing in upstate New York. His Saratoga thoroughbred paintings, horse racing prints, and sports cartoons have been displayed at historic Saratoga Thoroughbred Racetrack since 1982. Besides Saratoga, Rich has also exhibited his limited edition prints and posters at Belmont, Keeneland, Monmouth and the Meadowlands. After college, Rich found a humorous niche freelancing his sports cartoons. He spent many years perfecting his trade and has become a noted cartoonist - completing work for magazines, greeting cards, T-shirts, jig-saw puzzles, newspapers, ads, books, and more. In 2002, Mr. Gabriel brought his portraiture, realistic nostalgic oil paintings and watercolors to the forefront. His beautiful oil paintings capturing the history and the memories of Saratoga were an immediate success. And now, with artwork reflecting on great memories such as Man O' War or Secretariat, each new piece is eagerly sought after. The Early Bird! After creating the painting "Tapped Out!", and it being very well received, I decided to explore the idea of another black/white/sepia painting. This time I would attempt to capture the Saratoga enthusiast who can't wait until the track opens...The Early Bird! --Rich Gabriel