As
a college student during the 1950's one of Bob Webber's first
assignments was to find an interesting subject for a painting.
During the field trip he came across an old tugboat on the hard
and with sketchbook in hand dutifully recorded the details for
review back at the classroom studio. Interestedly, Bob was the
only student who considered a derelict boat worthy as the subject
for a forthcoming masterpiece. In retrospect, this became a
pivotal choice providing continued focus and direction for merging
a life long interest in boats with his approach to yachting
art.
Working
on both the agency and corporate sides of advertising and marketing
during his career Bob kept pursuing this passion be developing
and refining has approach to creating distinctive paintings
of ships and yachts. During his final years of directing marketing
and communications for a legal publisher the company was sold
to a Canadian firm and his career abruptly ended.
Rather
than packing it in Bob began displaying his approaches to yachting
art at major national boat shows that happily resulted in commission
awards. Thus, a new chapter in a lively and interesting occupation
began. As it turned out, one of his early projects involved
a splendid 1930's yacht right out of the Gatsby era. Fortuitously,
this commission set the stage triggering a latent interest in
vintage subjects. Today, Bob's clientele keep him engaged in
commission work not only of historically significant yachts
but vintage aircraft and motorcars admired the world over.
Recognized
for elegant textured patina, understatement and rich detail,
he has developed a distinctive style. From Wall Street titans
to oil and coffee barons, Bob's works are showcased in private,
corporate, and museum collections in the US, Canada and Europe.
Bob's
studio is in Punta Gorda, Florida where recently he received
a top juried award by the Visual Arts Center for
his interpretation of a vintage aircraft. He also is a member
of The Arts and Humanities Council in Charlotte
County where examples of his aviation art are on permanent display
in the General Aviation Terminal at Charlotte
County's Municipal Airport.
Corporate
Collections:
The Hinckley Co., Rogers Communications, Jean A. Simard,
Katlynn Marine, Huckins Yachts, Ward/Waldman,
Moores Marine, Taylor Fulton, Southern Boating
Museum
Collections
The
Antique Boat Museum
Visit
Mr. Webber's Web Site: Classic
Yacht Portraits
