About the Artist

After graduating from art school in 1982, Bob Upton entered the field of advertising and graphic design. Bob has been a graphic designer for 25 years. He is the creative director of Parachute Design. A world-class design and branding firm in Minneapolis.

Along with his education in design, he studied drawing and painting in the academic style of Classical Realism. His training was on the figure, portraiture and still life. Only recently has he been painting landscape outdoors.

Currently, Upton has been studying with noted landscape painter Joseph Paquet —Signature Member, Plein Air Painters of America.

Painting approach:
He has a love of realism, rooted in traditional oil painting. Formal academic training in drawing and painting, combined with the outdoor palette of the French Impressionists has been the foundation of his education.

Recently the love of outdoor landscape has consumed his painting. Painting directly from nature is what inspires his artwork. To "catch the day" in paint has been a goal.

His design work has provided travel extensively around Europe filling sketchbooks of drawings in Amsterdam, London, Paris, Vienna, Florence, Madrid, Barcelona, Venice and Warsaw.  When painting outdoors he works in Oil, and Gouache.

Education:
College of Visual Arts – BFA, St. Paul, Minnesota
Atelier Lack, Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Atelier, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Joseph Paquet Studio, St. Paul, Minnesota

Recognition:
First Place -Amateur Division -
Grand Marais Art Colony Plein Air, 2006
Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibtion, 2004
Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibtion, 2003