Name/Title
Robert Nelson - Lake in the Clouds - The CarlisleDescription
Bob was born in Milwaukee ninety-six years ago. The oldest of two sons, he has fond memories of his warm, loving mother. After graduating from Michigan State, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service from 1943 to 1947, near Mt. Lassen, living on a tent platform with his beloved late wife, with whom he had four children. “Jill shared all of my adventures and successes, and she learned to love the outdoors as much as I did.”
Always drawn to water, they lived on Pewaukee Lake, Wisconsin after returning to work for his family’s film processing business. Upon retirement, the couple moved to Marco Island, Florida, becoming avid sailors. “Jill was the first woman elected Commodore of a racing yacht club,” he says proudly. Bob also started painting in earnest, mainly watercolor landscapes.
Bob began losing his eyesight in 2009. He moved to San Francisco four months ago and dove right into Carlisle life, joining the art class, the foreign policy discussion group, and the food and dinner committee. Now legally blind but undaunted, he’s trying acrylics and oils. True to his indomitable spirit, Bob advises, “The first brushstroke is the most difficult. You never know if it will turn out well, but you never know until you try. Just do it!”
I first started painting as a young adult while
recovering from a serious illness. I worked primarily in oils, painting landscapes I found in National Geographic magazine. However, after a short time, I learned that oil paints and a houseful of young children were not compatible, and I put it aside for many years.
When my wife and I retired we moved to Marco Island, Florida, where I became interested in painting again and took a series of excellent watercolor classes at the Marco Island Art League. I also joined a Plein Air group which met weekly at pre-determined sites. Once a month we held instructive critiques of each others work, which helped me develop my technique and I was encouraged to enter my paintings in juried art shows where I had some success.
Lately, I’ve become interested in oils again and have been teaching myself how to work in this medium.
I first started painting as a young adult while
recovering from a serious illness. I worked primarily in oils, painting landscapes I found in National Geographic magazine. However, after a short time, I learned that oil paints and a houseful of young children were not compatible, and I put it aside for many years.
Lately, I’ve become interested in oils again and have been teaching myself how to work in this medium.
