Born in Minnesota and raised in Ohio, Robert’s identity was closely associated with art from an early age. Robert’s father was an avid amateur photographer which led to Robert growing up with a camera in hand. Robert was fascinated with taking his images and using them as a reference to create paintings. In a school district that valued art education, Robert had two hours of daily art instruction. During this time, he was exposed to the masters of art and challenged to paint in their various styles. The value placed on learning such control of his medium helped to establish the foundations for a successful career as a painter, as well as instill an honesty in the development of his own personal style.
He went on to earn a Masters of Education in Counseling and Human Development, which served him for a number of years while working in the field of human services. From there, he moved to a career in film and video as a cameraman and lighting director building upon the foundation of his high school art experience, and eventually lead him back to a career in painting.
It wasn’t until 1992 when he made the decision to pursue painting full time. With the blessings and encouragement of his family, he immersed himself in art through renewed studies and practice. As he produced a greater quantity of artwork, he gained ever increasing skill. Eventually Robert and his family moved to Buffalo, Minnesota where they now live on a small hobby farm. This move gave Robert a brand new studio building and the space to expand his artistic skills.
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In 1998, Robert took his first of several oil painting workshops with the well known landscape painter, Jim Wilcox. Painting outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of the Teton Mountains, Robert was in his element. His course of transition and self development continued during his studies with Wm. Scott Jennings, Scott Christensen, and Michael Albrechtsen. As a result, Robert’s work has evolved to a distinctively realistic yet “painterly” style. He still uses his photography skills for reference, but weds them with his plein-air field studies to create works that are filled with the essence of place.
Recently awarded signature membership with Oil Painters of America, Robert continues to explore new subject matter and methods of painting, believing that learning and pushing the boundaries of one’s artistic comfort is essential to personal satisfaction, growth and success as an artist.
Professional accomplishments:
2010: Salon International, painting “Turbulence”
OPA National Show, painting “Reflections”
Rocky Mountain Plein-Air Painters National Show
Acadia Invitational, Bar Harbor, Maine
2009: Salon International, painting “In Motion”
OPA National Show, painting “Captivating Motion”
2008: Artist In Residence, Acadia National Park
OPA National Show, painting “Descending Light”
OPA Eastern Regional Show, painting “Evening Prelude”
Salon International, paintings “Standing Against the Tide” & “A New Days Dawn”
Rocky Mountain Plein-Air Painters National Show
Steamboat Springs Art Museum Paint Out
2007: Rocky Mountain Plein-Air Painters Paint Out, Winter Park, CO
Paint America Top 100, paintings “Rugged Beauty” & “Quiet Evening”
2006: National Arts for the Parks Top 100, painting “Evening Calm”,
Top 200, painting “Rapt in Rhythm”
Salon International Show, paintings “Navaho Man” & “Laughing Singer”
Rocky Mountain Plein-Air Painters Paint Out, Steamboat Springs, CO