“I believe composing at the easel is like visual music, inspired by nature, the character of people, and parts of my life that move and inspire me. I paint primarily in oils, my style representational with additional spices, textures and flavors. Before putting brush to canvas I’ve decided on the direction my painting will take… dramatic and bold, light and simple, realistic, or loose and suggestive. While in the studio I begin with a composition in mind, but each painting seems to bring forth happy – or unhappy – accidents, and gives opportunity to make the painting better.
“Painting outside on location demands an instant reaction and has a more personal feel to it when it’s in the moment. I believe painting en plein air is an invaluable experience and has made my studio paintings improve and sing.” – Robert Perrish
Robert Perrish is an award winning designer, sculptor and painter whose love of nature is evident in everything he creates. This was first expressed through wildlife painting and sculpture, and has since evolved into painting landscapes, portraits and still life.
Robert worked in the commercial art field for 30 years. A lifelong resident of Michigan, he has lived with his family in Livonia for the past 40 years. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, capturing as much as he can on canvas along the way. Plein air painting has become a regular adventure and has helped his studio work as well. He is one of the co-founders of the Michigan Plein Air Painters.
Organizations and Affiliations
Oil Painters of America
National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society
Michigan Plein Air Painters
American Impressionist Society
Awards
Michigan Wildlife Artist of the Year
Ducks Unlimited Artist of the year, as well as DU Carver of the Year
16 Best-of-Shows in national and world carving competitions.
Best of Show – Germanton Plein Air
Best of Show – Northville Plein Air
Best of Show – Milford Plein Air
Best of Show – Charlevoix Plein Air
Best of Show – Kingsville Plein Air
Best of Show – Fergus Plein Air
Exhibitions
Salon International – 2011, 2017, 2019,2021 Denos Museum – Traverse City
Laguna Plein Air Painters Show
Stephan Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Painting North Carolina Invitational 2005 thru 2020 – Germanton Art Gallery
Juried Show/Our Town Exhibition – Birmingham, MI 2004, 2008 thru 2022
Juried Show/Award Winner – Canton Center Art Association
One Man Show – Livonia Civic Center –
Juried Show – Birmingham Bloomfield Art Association
Juried Show – Macomb Center for the Arts –
One Man Show – Greenmead, Livonia – Mi
Jesse Besser Art Museum/Juried show – Alpena, Mi
Natural History exhibition (sculpture) – Las Vegas, NV
Northern National Wildlife Art Festival – Lansing, Mi
Bob’s Work
