Obed Gómez is a contemporary Puerto Rican artist whose passion for life and art are vividly seen in his colorful pieces. Born in Oct. 24, 1966, in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Obed began taking private art classes when he was 11. Later, he enrolled in the San Juan League of Art, where he further developed his painting and drawing skills. Then, he continued his studies at the Andrés Bueso Academy of Arts. After graduating high school, Obed attended the University of Sacred Heat and obtained a bachelor's degree in communications with a major in visual arts. He lived in Puerto Rico until he relocated to the United States in 1995.

Gómez express his art by means of a variety of media including, acrylic on canvas, watercolor, pencil, and ink. He has evolved as a caricaturist, instructor of art for children, graphic artist, and at the moment he is an Internet graphic designer for a publishing company in Lake Mary, FL. His art adopts many forms and styles, demonstrated in &"34; Jibaritos &"34;, an acrylic on canvas which represents the folklore of his native island.

Obed's work has indeed found its niche and its own voice. This is most evident in his unique, mixed-media assemblages, inspired by his boundless passion for the vast diversity of Human-kind; its multitude of cultures, his ancestral past, and traditions. Obed’s intention is to reach the people with positive energy of love, balance and tranquility through images and colors, he also honors his culture through his work

The artist has been working on a series of projects that exposes the virtues of his people's culture. &"34;Culture is the universal element that offers direction, integrity and continuation in us independently of our ethnic origin. Our cultures may vary but certain elements exist that unite us as members of the human race... in that sense we are all connected. “

Obed uses his God-given talent to help several organizations such as ASPIRA, Give Kids the World, Westminster Care of Orlando and Devereux Florida. Obed believes that we need to work together to bring hope to our children, nurture them and provide them with a sense of purpose in their lives.

Thanks to the Internet and his online gallery, www.ObedArt.com, the artist has been able to create quite a following with Puerto Ricans off the island and lovers of the Latin culture in general. The website features six galleries of magnificent original works that can be obtained with a click of a mouse. ObedArt.com has received numerous Internet awards, including &"34;Top 100 Art Sites&"34; and &"34;Golden Web Award.&"34;

Obed’s work has been featured on the cover of several magazines, he has also participated in many solo and group exhibitions, such as International Emerging Art Show, Casselberry City Hall, Casselberry, FL ,2002; Gainesville’s Antique & Art Gallery, Gainesville, FL 2002; Historical Society of Central Florida Hispanic Art Exhibit, Orlando, 2001; Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival Exhibit, Orlando, FL 2001; Orlando’s Puerto Rican Parade Art Exhibit, Orlando, 2000; and Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, Santurce, 1995.