Robert O'Brien

Robert J. O'Brien
Signature Member

"I have been painting in the watercolor medium for over thirty years. One of my main objectives in watercolor painting is to create light through the use of shadow. In painting ordinary images, I find a fascinating interplay between the two. The transparency of the medium helps in bringing shadows alive while allowing the light to glow."

Born 1954, in Rochester, NY, Robert O'Brien has been painting in the watercolor medium for thirty years. Since moving to Vermont in 1977, he has focused his work on landscape and architectural studies. Vermont, with its distinct four season climate, provides the artist with a wealth of subject matter and ever changing light effects.

The artist finds beauty in the ordinary, subtle reminders of everyday life in rural New England. In his own words, he is driven "to capture the vanishing landscape in my paintings" before they disappear forever as a result of the steady hand of "progress".
Since 1998 Robert O'Brien has travelled anually to Southern France. The region's sun-splashed landscape and timeless quality of light has added a new dimension to the artist's paintings.

Medium and Subject
Watercolorist. A traditional painter of landscape and architectural studies. Studied with James Whatford, Tony Couch, and the late Marshall Joyce, A.W.S.

Memberships
New England Watercolor Society; North East Watercolor Society; Academic Artists Association; Chester Art Guild; Southern Vermont Artists; Vermont Watercolor Society; Central New York Watercolor Society.

Awards and Exhibitions

2003 - North East Watercolor Society, 27th Annual Exhibition, Kent, CT
2003 - 72nd Hudson Valley Artists Association Annual Exhibition, NY
2003 - 136th International Exhibit of the American Watercolor Society, Salmagundi Club New York, NY. Selected for travel exhibition.
2003 - Guild of Boston Artist Award, New England Watercolor Society juried show, Boston MA.
2002 - 8th Biannual North American Open Exhibition, sponsored by the New England Watercolor Society, Concord, MA.
2002 - Kent Day Coes Memorial Award, 71st Hudson Valley Art Association Annual Exhibition, NY.
2001 - 20th Annual Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, Old Forge, NY. Selected For Travel Exhibit
2001 - American Watercolor Society 134th Annual International Exhibition, New York, NY
2001 - Northeast Watercolor Society National juried Exhibition
2001 - The Daler Rowney U.S.A. Award. 51st Annual Exhibition of the Academic Artists Association, Springfield, MA
2000-2001 - New England Watercolor Society Juried Show at Guild of Boston Artists
2000 - 7th Annual Equinox Art Exhibition, Manchester, VT - Second Place Award
1999 - New England Watercolor Society juried show at Cahoon Museum, Cotuit, MA
1998 - New England Watercolor Society juried show at Concord Art Association, Concord, MA
1998 - 17th Annual Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, Old Forge, NY
1997 - New England Watercolor Society juried show at Rhode Island Watercolor Society, Pawtucket, RI
1996-1997 - Northeast Watercolor Society National juried Exhibition
1996 - 5th North America Open Exhibition sponsored by the New England Watercolor Society, Boston, MA
1996 - Solo Exhibition at Southern Vermont Art Center, Manchester, VT
1996 - Watercolor Honor Award, Academic Artists 46th Annual Exhibition
1995 - Academic Artists 45th Annual Exhibition

Represented by

The Luxton Jones Gallery, Shelburne VT
Powers Gallery, Acton, MA
The Gallery at the VAULT, Springfield, VT
Green Mountain Fine Art, Stowe, VT
Vermont Arts and Lifestyles Gallery, Woodstock, VT

Publications

1998, 1999, and 2001 - Fletcher Allen Health Care Calendar
Spring 2003 - American Artist Watercolor Magazine.
Artists of New England, Vol. 1

Represented in numerous collections throughout the U.S. and abroad.

email Robert J. O'Brien
visit Robert J. O'Brien's website

Robert O'Brien
2811 Weathersfield Center Road
Perkinsville, Vermont
(802) 263-9394