Alfred Gockel was born in Ludinghausen Germany in 1952. His artistic talent was apparent from a very young age. His work was first published at the age of 8. After high school he studied typography graphic design and advertising at the Polytechnic Academy in Munster. After graduating in 1977 he worked as a freelance artist and designer and lectured at the Polytechnic Academy. In 1981 his art had become successful enough for Gockel to devote himself full-time to creating it. In 1983 he started Avant Art a leading abstract art publisher with his wife Ingrid. Gockel creates his colorful abstracts through painting with oil on canvas watercolors etching silkscreens and lithography. His use of a combination of blacks and vivid colors creates a style that is instantly recognizable. Gockel lives with his wife and two dogs in Germany.