After graduating from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1988, Robert worked primarily as an illustrator for an impressive list of clients, some of which include: The Museum of Science and Industry, Scott Foresman, Illinois State Lottery, AT&T, Ameritech, and a regular contributor of illustrations to the Chicago Tribune. Concurrently, he continued to paint, experimenting with many styles and techniques.
Years later, he accepted a full time position with Met Merchandising Concepts. Primarily a fixture and display company, Met also produced original artwork for sale to large department stores such as Marshall Field’s (Macy's), Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. The art produced ranged from traditional images of urns and still lifes to very contemporary abstract collages that utilized a variety of media. The experience of working at Met revitalized his passion for painting, and he produced a substantial number of paintings that have an affinity with mid 20th century painters. These paintings, as well as subsequent work, have been exhibited in a number of galleries nationally, such as Cain Gallery, Galleria Concord, Michael Taylor Designs and Johnathon. He has also been part of numerous group shows at the Center on Halsted as well as solo exhibitions.
The paintings he has created over the past several years deal with issues of flux, the transitory and chance occurrence. They are inspired by combinations of images that he has photographed or found, assembled together and manipulated. Regardless of the subject the image takes on a transformative quality. They are simultaneously in a state of deterioration and metamorphosis. He states, "The liquefied image creates a surreal alteration of the subject that invites other metaphoric interpretations. My intent is to eliminate the distinction between abstraction and representation in my work – they are both one in the same”.
Years later, he accepted a full time position with Met Merchandising Concepts. Primarily a fixture and display company, Met also produced original artwork for sale to large department stores such as Marshall Field’s (Macy's), Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. The art produced ranged from traditional images of urns and still lifes to very contemporary abstract collages that utilized a variety of media. The experience of working at Met revitalized his passion for painting, and he produced a substantial number of paintings that have an affinity with mid 20th century painters. These paintings, as well as subsequent work, have been exhibited in a number of galleries nationally, such as Cain Gallery, Galleria Concord, Michael Taylor Designs and Johnathon. He has also been part of numerous group shows at the Center on Halsted as well as solo exhibitions.
The paintings he has created over the past several years deal with issues of flux, the transitory and chance occurrence. They are inspired by combinations of images that he has photographed or found, assembled together and manipulated. Regardless of the subject the image takes on a transformative quality. They are simultaneously in a state of deterioration and metamorphosis. He states, "The liquefied image creates a surreal alteration of the subject that invites other metaphoric interpretations. My intent is to eliminate the distinction between abstraction and representation in my work – they are both one in the same”.
