Robert Semans, Fine Arts

"Antique Vase"

Charcoal and conte crayon, 8" x 11"

This vase is a small study done during my Monday drawing class taught by Robert Semans. My art career began in the 90s after the children had left home and I had some time to devote to myself. I went to an art gallery and reconnected with the art part of my brain. With a busy career at IBM, I had to find small blocks of time when I could do art. In preparation for retirement, I requested a flexible work schedule and worked three nine-hour days for two and a half years, freeing up my Mondays and Fridays. I noticed a small blurb in the watercolor society newletter about a drawing class offered at University Arts on Monday mornings. I began my art career doing watercolors with no formal drawing training, so this class sounded like the perfect way to spend my Mondays. I've continued taking the class now that I am retired.

The ongoing drawing class is taught by a top-notch artist, who does many genres, and specializes in portraiture and figures. Bob Semans has made his living as an artist for many years. One of my earlier posts is a charcoal I did of Bob.
http://mary-artadventures.blogspot.com/2009/01/charcoal-of-our-instructor.html
You can check out Bob's biography and work here:

http://www.robertksemans.com/

I am very impressed with the Governor Gray Davis portrait that Bob was selected to do by the state of California. Bob's latest accomplishment is being chosen as one of 15 finalists in the Portrait Artists of America 2009 International Competition! Bob travels to Washington, DC, this weekend to participate in the celebrations. We are rooting for him to bring home the gold medal with his portrait of an elderly neighbor. He's in erudite company. Past winners include Andrew Wyeth, Richard Schmid, and Everett Raymond Kinstler, to name but a few. You can read more about the competition here: http://www.portraitsociety.org/

Bob is the nicest, most humble man, and a wonderful instructor. He was classically trained in this country and in Florence, Italy. I feel so blessed that he wants to take the time to teach others what has taken him a lifetime to learn. My drawing skills have improved immensely, which is reflected in my most recent art. I have a long way to go, but devoting most Monday mornings to drawing class for the past three years have paid off.