Robert’s paints and
brushes at his studio
R
A portrait of Robert’s
grandmother
obert admits that his perfect day of painting consists of setting his mind only
upon his creation. “The light is good, the air is pleasant. There is some tasty
food in the studio for snacking on, no chores or errands are due. All the bills are paid, and
there is nothing else to attend to but to paint on a picture that has my interest.” For him,
art is everything. “I have counted on it to give meaning to my life. It is what I have invested most of my positive energies and thoughts on. It is the thing I have worked hardest
at and been most fulfilled by. I have always trusted that it is a talent bestowed on me by
God. By pursuing it, I am living the life I was meant to lead. I have trusted that if I gave
myself over to my art, I would be able to lead a life that would provide me with a means to
be able to continue to grow, to always have a challenge that would occupy my energy and
my mind, and that, in doing so, I could never feel the disillusionment of a life led simply as
a means to only survive. It has made me believe that I can trust God, for it is He who has
provided me with the gift by which I have been able to lead the life I have chosen.”
He feels that his talent has shaped his life in many ways. “[Ways that have provided
me] with great feelings of accomplishment as I have acquired control over my chosen
media, enabling me to bring visions into artist being.” And, while it has mainly been a
positive impact, there’s been a downside as well. “It has created a life that at times has
been lonely, in that my choices have been more about making art for its own sake than
to provide financially for well-being and security. I’ve led a life that has been composed
of a great deal of solitude.” Despite the sacrifice, Robert is grateful to have been blessed
with such a gift that could only have been given by God above.
Having lived in New York for 25 years, Robert’s work was featured in several shows
throughout that region. He has also participated in Charleston’s Spoleto Festival and has
submitted paintings to ArtFields in Lake City for the past two years. Although he hasn’t
won any awards since his watercolor seascapes received blue ribbons at the Florence
County Fair at age 13, this doesn’t make him appreciate his work any less. Currently, he
is working on a mural inside the dining room of the Lucas family home in Florence. This
project is of great interest to Robert, and he is excited about seeing the final product in all
its beauty. “It wraps around the four walls above the chair rail up to the cr