I've had the privilege to work with these 4 wonderful artists in creating this exhibit. Jean Banas, Lillian Verkins, Jennifer Payne, and Beau Wild all have very different styles than I do. But we were able to harmonize our contrasting styles to create these beautiful works of art.
Sometimes dreams do come true!
Last night 06/07/24 my painting "Richlin" won the Best of Show Jean Wagner Troemel Award in the "Honors" show at the Saint Augustine Artists Association (STAAA). This is not just any show. It's an annual invitational show of artists that have won an award in a STAAA show during the last three years. The best of the best. Thank you judge Andrew Kozlowski for this great honor.
What makes this evening even more special for me is that Richlin and Weldon Ryan were there to see my contemporary portrait of Richlin win Best of Show. Richlin & Weldon are both artists and have been big supporters of mine since I came back into painting a few years ago.
I incorporated tissue paper in the background of this painting because its one of the techniques that Richlin uses in her paintings. It was a lot of fun painting this portrait of Richlin.
You can see more of her work here: https://www.richlinryan.com/
Just before COVID turned everything upside down there was an exhibition scheduled at Stetson University in DeLand FL with a music theme.
I've always loved the drama and decadence of the Venetian Carnival Masks. Unfortunately midway into creating my painting for that show, the exhibition was canceled because of COVID issues. No matter, I finished the painting, and I finally have my Venetian Carnival Mask painting.
She is called 'Volto Musica'. It's Acrylic paint on 2 sheets of 24"x32" on top of 2 sheets of 36"x48" plexiglass.
The reborn exhibition is called "Visual Symphony". The opening reception is this Friday 6/7/24 at 6-8pm.
My painting "Echoes of Gauguin & Teha'amana" is in college! Yep, the Florida State South Gallery in Jacksonville to be specific. She is hanging with some very good company.
The Florida Artist Group "FLAG" is having their annual Symposium show there this year. Some of the finest artists in Florida are participating.
I just finished this painting "River Seine Dancer". It's painted with acrylic paint on three 32"x24" clear acrylic sheets.
Musicians collaborate when composing and preforming music. Why not visual artists. This painting is a result of a collaboration between me and Jennifer Payne.
Musicians collaborate when composing and preforming music. Why not visual artists. This painting is a result of a collaboration between me and Lillian Verkins.
Musicians collaborate when composing and preforming music. Why not visual artists. This painting is a result of a collaboration between me and Jean Banas.
I'm so honored to have my painting "Wholey Mas" win an award at the opening of the Art League of Daytona Beach exhibition "Artist Showcase".
Show Title: "Artist Showcase"
Location: Art League of Daytona Beach
Address: 433 South Palmetto Ave, Daytona Beach, FL
Phone: 386-947-7103
Web: https://www.artleague.org
I just finished this painting titled Echoes of Gauguin & Teha'amana".
This painting is inspired by the Tahitian paintings of Paul Gauguin (1848–1903) and his muse and young wife Teha'amana.
I just finished this painting titled Wholey Mas".
I am so honored to have had the opportunity to create this painting "Wholey Mas". The image this painting is based on is from a photo by Weldon Ryan. Weldon goes all over the US and the Caribbean taking photos of these beautiful women dressed up in marvelous masquerade costumes during Carnivals.
I'm very excited to be accepted into this years "Top Choice" exhibition at the SOBO Art Gallery in Winter Garden FL. SOBO had more than 330 works of art submitted, the most in their history.
The opening is on Thursday Night April 6th from 5:30-8pm. I hope to see a lot of my Orlando friends. It's been a wile! LOL
Facebook Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/755738326064065
See more
I'm so honored to receive another award for my painting "Passionate Moonlight Stroll".
This painting the first abstract work I've done in a long time. It is inspired from Monet's Arm of the Seine series. The painting is on 5 sheets of 32"x24" plexiglass.
Show Title: "The Way I See It"
Location: Art League of Daytona Beach
Address: 433 South Palmetto Ave, Daytona Beach, FL
Phone: 386-947-7103
Web: https://www.artleague.org
I just finished this painting of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama".
Dots, dots, and more dots!
Long before I started using dots in my paintings Yayoi Kusama was using dots in her art. According to Wikipedia, she has been acknowledged as one of the most important living artists to come out of Japan, the world's top-selling female artist, and the world's most successful living artist.
I'm so honored to receive an award for my painting COVID-19 & The Weeping Angel of Grief.
Last Saturday the Florida Artists Group (FLAG) had their annual awards dinner at the beautiful Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach, FL. The exhibition runs through April 2023.
The Lovely Loleita and I had a blast visiting with new and old friends. It's always great to spend time with Lillian Verkins, Beau Wild, Mindy Z Colton, Weldon Ryan, Richlin Ryan, Margaret Schnebly Hodge, Kathy Omeara, Jean Banas, David Chang, Peggy Banks, Connie Krzyzowski, Nancy Dillen, and many more.
Show Title/Theme: Sensations!
Location: Museum Of Arts and Sciences
Address: 352 S Nova Rd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 11am - 5pm
Phone: (386) 255-0285
Exhibition Dates: 1/28/23 - 4/23/23
WOW! 1st Place.
My portrait of Richlin Ryan won first place yesterday 01/16/23 at the Art League Of Daytona Beach. The exhibit had over 150 pieces entered. It's a big beautiful collection from Central Florida artists. Congratulations to George Stuart for wining Best In Show. Thanks to the judge (Harry Messersmith) for his great eye. LOL
Here are the judges comments: "Witnessing life animated from raw material is joyous and beautiful when the elaborate science and techniques utilized take a back seat to the experience. Complex in its innovative use of molecular space, and color, “Richlins” portrait compliments the mechanics of how we see light and dimensionally excites our senses."
Richlin & Weldon Ryan are both artists and have been big supporters of mine since I came back into painting a few years ago. I got inspired to paint this portrait of Richlin this past summer after watching a presentation she did at the Fall Festival of the Arts in De Land, FL. You can see that presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvL4DIVI6Jo
I incorporated tissue paper in the background of this painting because its one of the techniques that Richlin uses in her paintings. It was a lot of fun painting this portrait.
Homecoming! - Pompano Beach, FL
Hi all my South Florida Facebook friends,
I'm very excited to be coming back to Pompano to exhibit some of my paintings along with four other fantastic artists, Herbie Martin, Leonardo Montoya, Wilson Romero, and Weldon Ryan. I'm hoping you can join me at the opening reception for the exhibit.
I organized this exhibition titled "Men Painting Women" containing 5 extremely talented male artists that paint mostly women. The exhibit will be at the Bailey Contemporary Arts Center in Pompano Beach, FL. Links and exhibit info are below.
It's been a long time since Loleita and I moved to North Florida from Lighthouse Point in 2012. A lot has happened. Loleita and I sold our marketing business (SnowPak.com) in 2014, and I got back into painting. I have been exhibiting and selling throughout Central Florida for about 8 years now. Loleita is keeping busy playing tennis and golf. We have a couple of cats that keep Loleita and me on our toes.
I grew up in and around Pompano. Went to Pompano Junior, and Senior High Schools, BCC and FAU. Ran our business in Pompano for 22 years. So coming back with this exhibit is big for me. I can't wait to be able to see some old friends.
If you are in or around South Florida consider coming to the opening reception on Friday Jan, 6 between 6-10pm. Loleita and I would love to visit and catch up. There is no fee to get into the exhibit. The dress is casual. The forecast is for some extreme fun. There is lots going on as well as our opening reception.
Happy Holidays & Happy New Year to all. Hope to see you on the 6th.
Show Title: Men Painting Women
Location: Bailey Contemporary Arts Center
Address: 41 NE 1st Street, Pompano Beach, FL 33064
Web: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/baca
Exhibition Dates: 1/6/23 - 3/28/23
Opening Reception Date: 1/6/23
Opening Reception Time: 6pm-10pm
Parking: Additional Parking available at City Hall (100 W. Atlantic Blvd.) and Cultural Center (50 W. Atlantic Blvd.)
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/586471906656292
Here is a link to an area on my website that has info about the past "Men Painting Women" exhibits: http://www.robertshirk.com/mpw
Here is a short 3 min video of our last show in Daytona Beach: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnQe3tRQkeU