EASTON — The Zebra Gallery will host a meet-the-artist reception for Gabriel Lehman and his exhibition “Continuous Skies” from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 5, at 5 N. Harrison St. in Easton.

Using acrylic paint, Lehman creates whimsical, dreamlike paintings that reflect his playful spirit and evoke a sense of childlike wonder. His work often features imaginative landscapes and expansive cloud-filled skies, blending surreal imagery with warmth and joy.

A self-taught artist, Lehman began painting in 2009 after spending 14 years working in construction, specializing in flooring. Without formal artistic training, he developed a distinctive visual language and built a following drawn to the emotional openness and imaginative qualities of his work.

Lehman describes his style as “illustrative surrealism,” a term he coined to capture the dreamlike storytelling and fantastical elements within his paintings.

“As soon as I saw Gabriel’s work, I was struck by its sense of joy and imagination,” said Susan Schauer John, owner of The Zebra Gallery. “These paintings invite viewers to reconnect with curiosity, wonder and the limitless feeling of looking up at the sky.”

Lehman’s experience with dyslexia also influences his path as an artist. Because traditional learning environments were difficult for him, he now volunteers his time speaking with students about different forms of intelligence and encouraging young people to embrace their own strengths and creative paths.

The exhibition highlights both Lehman’s technical development as a self-taught painter and the emotional accessibility of his work, which encourages viewers to enter imaginative worlds grounded in optimism and possibility.

The Zebra Gallery is located at 5 N. Harrison St., across from the Historic Tidewater Inn. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, or by appointment. For more information, visit thezebragallery.com.