ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born and raised in Fridley, Minnesota, Bob always knew that he wanted to be an artist. As a young boy his first heroes were Rembrandt, Norman Rockwell, and El Greco. He was fascinated by Rembrandt′s sincere and intimate portraits, Norman Rockwell′s incredible ability to create iconic illustrations, and the stirring images El Greco painted. After Bob graduated from high school in 1976, curiosity and desire for adventure led him to Rio Cuarto, Argentina where, in addition to drawing and painting, he began experimenting with photography.
He experienced a different culture and was inspired by the beauty of the people he met and the places he saw. Upon returning to the United States, Bob attended the University of Minnesota to study studio arts. After a while, however, his passion for art and music led him to leave school. He thought he would try a different approach to learning and took off to explore Europe in 1981. He went to visit his brother, Eric, who was already in Italy pursuing his pottery. He worked as a student assistant for the sculptor Jerome Cox and spent a year working and learning in his studio. Cox taught him a lot of valuable lessons about being a working artist.
Bob met his wife Katia and settled in Potenza Picena, Le Marche. Shortly after, they had their two children, Linda and Niall. Many of his paintings are inspired by the rolling fields of the Italian countryside.
In 2001, Bob and his family moved back to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he built a home studio in the garage. Robert has done several commissioned pieces including the “Northeast Bank Under the Sky” for Northeast Bank in Mpls., and “The Dream of Kissing the Girl with Red Hair” for CW lofts in Mpls. He has also done portraits for family and friends as well as commissioned pieces for others. Robert continues to paint every day in his studio and enjoys riding his bike and playing hockey.
