ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Robert (Bob) Schuler’s art journey began in high school. As a boy, he did not dream of becoming an artist, but an architect. He took Mechanical Drafting in high school where he learned to be very precise with his drawing. Much of that detail is evident in his paintings today.
After high school, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Often, while at sea, Bob would sketch and paint with acrylics during his down time. This is where he discovered his passion for art.
After the Navy, Bob attended Tidewater Community College (1976-1977), where he studied Studio Painting, Drawing, Design, and Art History. During this time, he transitioned to oil painting, which he would continue to work in for the next 14 years.
Bob worked in Washington D.C. for 43 years as a Navy Defense Contractor. During that time, he continued to paint and participated in many art exhibits. He painted in oils until he fell in love with watercolors. Over the next 34 years, he would work primarily in that medium, enjoying the immediacy of the medium and the way the pigment responds on paper to his personal interpretation of the subject.
Bob’s plan had always been to transition to a full-time artist after his retirement as a Defense Contractor. That plan came into fruition in January 2023!
As an artist, Bob has held memberships in many art leagues/guilds and is currently represented at Arts on Main Co-Op Gallery in Gloucester and RAL Art Center Co-Op Gallery in Kilmarnock. Bob has participated in many exhibitions and art shows in Virginia and Maryland, such as the 25th Annual Decoy & Wildlife Festival (Havre De Grace, MD) and the Neptune Arts Festival (Virginia Beach, VA) and has sold work to collectors in the United States and abroad. His studio is in Providence Forge, VA where he lives with his wife, Wini, and their Springer Spaniel, Darcy.
ABOUT THE ART:
Bob is inspired by rural old things: buildings that are crooked, Victorian homes, and old work boats with rust...they all capture his attention. He also enjoys capturing portraits of cherished homes, beloved pets, and other animals. His creative juices and imagination are stimulated by visiting galleries, art museums, and exploring the countryside and small towns. While he is inspired by many art masters, the art of American artist, Winslow Homer, really resonates with him.
Through his art, Bob tries to preserve and communicate the beauty that he sees through his camera’s viewfinder. Photos eventually turn into paintings. Several of these paintings are of boats, buildings, etc. that no longer exist today or have been neglected over time and are somewhat unrecognizable. Bob’s goal is to capture the true beauty that surrounds us and he hopes those who view his work can see that beauty.
When showing his art, Bob finds great pleasure in establishing an interaction with the viewers of his work. He frequently talks to people who recognize one of his pieces and who will share their memories of the subject or location that he has painted. Their stories help fill in the details, making the piece even more interesting.