Tranquill Bliss at Chappell's Mill   GA Governor Zell Miller presenting Robbie with GA Artist of Year Award

In my earliest youth, I welcomed art into my life and continue to dedicate myself to my craft. I graduated from the University of Georgia, my art was  first recognized in 1998 when the Georgia Citizens of the Arts presented me with the prestigious, “Georgia Artist of the Year Award.” The painting Tranquil Bliss at Chappell’s Mill, a beautiful legendary site in Laurens County, Georgia showcased in the Governor’s mansion as a result. Since 1998, Georgia’s art communities have rewarded me with numerous awards and accolades. At the Georgia state fair, my work received both "Best in Show” Merit award in 2001 and in 2002 an Honorable mention for my painting “Tending the Cattle”, and a Merit award for “The Fishing Hole”. The Tea Party,  also received recognition at the Dublin St. Patrick’s Festival in 2001 when it received , ‘The People’s Choice Award for Best in Show along with the painting “Friendship” awarded “Best In Show”. I was commissioned by a group of local sponsors to create a permanent memorial dedicated to the tragedy our country experienced on September 11th, 2001. The painting “Pride of America” was dedicated to the lives lost and America’s unending spirit to preserve, it currently is displayed at Middle Georgia College in Dublin, Georgia.          I live in Dudley, Georgia with my wife Laura, daughter Camille and son Anderson. Laura and I opened a custom framing business in 2000. Laura frames all of my art and also for the public. Laura is also a talented art teacher with a masters in art education.  During the summers when children are out of school Laura teaches art for children.      Subjects: From my studio I work on many paintings with the rural life theme. The rural central Georgia area that I am from abounds with farm scenes and many different types of wildlife. I established the concept ‘Rural Life Paintings” to describe my art. This descriptor has helped me coordinate the subjects that I paint around a consistent theme that I have been familiar with since childhod.     Materials Used:  I use the oil painting medium to create paintings. This medium helps me create vibrant values, volumous textures and soft shadows. I primarily paint on linen canvas with a medium to smooth texture. This relatively smooth surface is perfect for creating smooth gradations of color in receding skylines and water. Texture is a critical element in my art. Using different brush strokes is essential to create lush foliage, clouds, tree bark etc.      Techniques Used: Oil paint can be applied to achieve many different affects. The technique I use can be traced back many centuries. This technique or process is called glazing. Glazing requires the application of many layers of transparent layers of paint. I overlay transparent colors to create a vibrancy and glow in each painting. This glazing technique is the inspiration that assist me to establish mood and atmosphere in each work of art.