Gary E. Armstrong is a painter and designer with a career grounded in rigorous training and lifelong creative exploration. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania (BFA), the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (Painting Certificate), and the Cranbrook Academy of Art (MFA), developing a foundation that informs every aspect of his work.

 

For more than 30 years, Gary taught painting, drawing, foundation studies, and graphic design, shaping the artistic lives of thousands of students at institutions including Monmouth University, Cabrini College, Northern Kentucky University, and the Art Institute of New York City. He is an expert in twentieth century European and American art history.

 

Earlier in his career, he served as an Illustrator for the United States Air Force, creating museum and exhibition graphics for national institutions. During the Apollo 16 mission, astronaut Charles Duke placed one of Gary’s artworks on the lunar surface—making him the only artist with a work physically on the moon.

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His commitment to service reflects his belief that art should not only inspire but also uplift and support communities in need.

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Gary’s studio practice centers on three major bodies of work: Realism, Transcendentalism, and Constructivism. He currently lives and works in Naples, Florida, where he is completing Brushstrokes of the Soul, a book exploring creativity, spirituality, and the life of an American artist.