Born and raised in Vermont, Adrian Gottlieb's talent and observation skills were evident from early childhood. He drew and painted from nature, rented taxidermy specimens and copied 19th century zoological drawings and portraits. Painting directly from life, Gottlieb assiduously avoids the use of photographic reference material or optical aids. He paints as one who understands the value of mastering technique as a means of communicating in a universal visual language, validating the eternal relevance of realism in art. Adrian spent three summers during his undergraduate years, studying with Charles Cecil in Florence that sparked his interest in drawing and painting techniques developed in the Renaissance through the early impressionists. He earned his BFA, with honors, in 1998, and returned to Florence to begin his studies at The Florence Academy of Art where he completed the three year painting curriculum. He remained as an assistant instructor until 2002 when he returned to the U.S. He was invited to teach at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art. He spent the following two years as a faculty member. He now works in Echo Park, California in his private studio where he also teaches painting techniques.

Adrian has received numerous grants, scholarships and awards. His most recent exhibitions include: Andreeva Portrait Gallery,Santa Fe, New Mexico, "Realism Revisited", Panorama Museum, Germany, traveling to Hirschl and Adler Galleries, N.Y., Century Gallery, Alexandria, Virginia.