Gary Erbe’s works explore a wide range of American pop culture, including the golden age of television, sports, cartoons, and culturally important social commentary. The discovery of trompe l’oeil painters had a significant impact on his work and provided a source of inspiration to him. Erbe’s work combines flat space forms that are exaggerated and enhanced by shadow, light, and color. The result is pure three-dimensional illusion and trompe l’oeil. He said, “Over the years, I have explored abstraction and cubism and how these modern principles can be integrated into trompe l’oeil.” Erbe’s work is meticulously planned. He organizes and creates assemblages which serve as models for his paintings. Even the frames are conceptualized and designed by him to enhance his work.