Robert was born in 1927 in Missouri. He is emerging as an
important artist whose drawings have an unusual storytelling
style. Robert began to draw in 1964 while he was at a State
Hospital for a nervous breakdown, but says that he was
hampered in doing his artwork by the administration of
drugs. He first gained recognition when he exhibited at the
State Fair in 1976 and in 1988 he won first prize at the
fair. Robert is, first and foremost, a storyteller. He tells
stories about major political events or familiar happenings,
such as attending class, art show openings, and family
gatherings. He writes or records his stories on tape, then
draws them. Robert draws on poster board and paper with
acrylics, crayon, and watercolors and also paints scenes on
used furniture and other odds and ends that he can find. He
uses a wide palette of colors in his work, but his favorites
are red, black and green. Although some may see him as
somewhat eccentric or may prefer his simpler, less complex
messages, he is emerging as an important new talent. He has
a colorful and lyrical storytelling style that is gaining
more and more attention from museums.
Guitar Case, $1,000
