| ROBERT DAUGHTERS |
By Bonnie Gangelhoff
Award-winning expressionist painter Robert Daughters has a trademark style of dark outlines and short, energetic brushstrokes. Thus his subjects, whether silvery-blue chamisa plants or yellow aspen trees, vibrate with movement. With his spot-on choice of palette, he also captures the vivid rainbow of colors found in the landscapes of Arizona and New Mexico. For 20 years Daughters lived in Taos, NM, in the historic home that once belonged to noted painter Oscar Berninghaus [1874-1952]. During that time Daughters was part of a group of painters known as the Taos Six, who painted and promoted their works together. The group also included artists Walt Gonske, Rod Goebel, Ray Vinella, Ron Barsano, and Julian Robles.
Born: Trenton, MO, 1929.
Resides: Rogers, AR.
Proudest accomplishment: When I changed my style from total realism to expressionism.
What would you have done differently in your life? I would have studied when I was in school.
| VILLAGE WINDS, OIL, 22 x 28 |
Advice to young artists: Keep your nose to the grindstone and always try to do the next painting better. Really study and try to improve yourself constantly.
Motto you have lived by over the years: Always work on your goal.
Biggest misconception about an artist’s life: That it’s easy. It’s not. It takes a lot of hard work. I think the public has an entirely different impression of painting for a living. They think the artist’s life is glamorous. They don’t know that you have to work in the studio all by yourself. They think we churn these out by magic. But it’s not true.
How has your work changed since starting out? It has gone from realism to more expressionism. I consider myself an expressionist today.
How has the art market changed? There is a tremendous amount of competition. You’ve got to be on your toes.
Other interests: I enjoy flying, boating, traveling, and golf.
He is represented by Meyer Gallery, Santa Fe, NM.
Featured in “Legends of Fine Art” in December 2008