On the Open Road: Gabe Fernandez’s Classic Cars & Vintage Trailers

Gabe Fernandez is an artist from Oregon who has a gift for capturing the soul of inanimate objects, especially in his depictions of classic cars and vintage trailers. Bathed in soft light, these forgotten icons of the road seem to whisper stories of past adventures and quiet moments of solitude.

Gabe’s affinity for exploring the emotional resonance of objects makes sense when you learn about his background. Growing up in a small logging town and later studying at the Pacific Northwest College of Art, he was drawn to the quiet poetry of everyday places and items. His time working in a youth homeless shelter further honed his perspective, teaching him to see beauty and meaning in what others might overlook. That sensitivity comes through in the interplay of light and shadow in his art, which often transforms a simple object or vehicle into something timeless.

The Airstream, a recurring theme in his paintings, epitomizes this tension. It holds the spirit of the open road, the allure of possibility, and the weight of stories untold. Gabe’s ability to bring such layers of complexity to metal and chrome is what makes his work so gripping. He captures not just the essence of these vehicles but also the transitions they represent in our lives, echoing a longing for connection in an increasingly fragmented world.

For more of Gabe Fernandez’s work, check out his website.

More art on the grid via Russo Lee Gallery