Learning from a Pro with Robert Shields
It is my good fortune to have been friends with Renaissance man Robert Shields for over 20 years . Some of you may remember his Emmy Award winning mime television show “ Shields and Yarnell .” He worked with stars like Bob Hope and Red Skelton and filmed with director Francis Ford Coppola . He is also credited with inventing the robot dance move , inspiring such performers as Michael Jackson and other dancers , headlining with Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas and garnering the Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year Award . That ’ s not all ! He ’ s performed on Broadway , film and with symphonies all over the world .
Robert has done it all . Now he is painting and storytelling through the visual arts . Living in the Southwest , he captures his passion for movement , humor , and ancient culture in his art .
LEFT : Emmy Award winning Artist and Performer Robert Shields in his Verde Valley , Arizona art studio , where he continues to sculpt , paint , design jewelry , and write comedy . ABOVE : " Remembering Shields & Yarnell " poster highlighting the world-renown artist ' s amazing career through the years , which includes over 400 national television shows .
Through the years Robert has taught me so much and given me ideas that advanced my skills . I was thrilled when Robert agreed to share two painting techniques that can be used at any age .
In November we got together in Robert ’ s home studio in Arizona where he demonstrated some easy painting ideas for all ages that your child or you can incorporate into many projects .
Stippling though a stencil and Sponge Painting - Supplies for both :
• Cover for work area
• Acrylic paint
• A stippling brush
• A sponge cut for small hands
• A colored drawing cut out , a photo , a flat toy , a jewel anything to glue onto finished background
• Paper plate for pallet
• Black permanent marker to outline or add detail to your drawing to be glued on background
68 WINTER 2023 gmhTODAY Magazine gmhtoday . com