In the Spring it Begins

“Design is extremely important in a painting; it’s as important as anything because the design element creates the mood, action and the general feeling of the painting. Sometimes I paint very loosely, but if one looks very closely at my paintings, they can see the subtle things that aren’t always obvious.”

A native Californian, Robert Schaar is a nationally recognized painter whose representational style is described as “deceptively loose and spontaneous.” He is highly regarded as a portrait painter, for his portrayal of a variety of subjects including American and European scenes and for his colourful depiction of thoroughbred reaching, as well as other sport representations. His work is on permanent exhibit in the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., the Pentagon, the NASA Space Museum, Cape Canaveral, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Saudi Arabia Royal Air Force Headquarters in Riyadh.

Born in Pasadena and raised in Arcadia where his father owned and raced thoroughbreds, Schaar’s childhood memories are reflected in many of his works which, in addition to the Kentucky Derby Museum, hang in private collections throughout the world.

A winner of many Gold medals in juried art shows, Schaar’s colourful, brushy style is in great demand as he continues to capture the excitement and expanse of today’s life style. Schaar is past president of the California Art Club (to whom many of the now popular early California ‘plain air painters’ belonged) and a member and past Air Force Chairman of the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. He has judged many major art shows including the prestigious New York Society of Illustrators show in New York City.

Schaar received his training in the early 1950’s at the famous Art Center School of Design where he was a fine arts major. Upon conclusion of his Korean War tour of duty in the U.S. Navy where he served as staff artist at the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego, he completed his art apprenticeship in Europe and in Los Angeles, California. He immediately became a working artist and for the past three decades has continued his signature representational style in oils and acrylics which has earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting American artists of our time.
Nearly two decades ago Schaar’s work was described as colourful and brushy. The description still holds. No matter the subject Schaar somehow manages to infuse it with a freshness that’s also timeless. That brushy Schaar feel has also been described as “deceptively loose and spontaneous.” Schaar researches and plans all of his works, but he also leaves room for inspiration. “Once you’ve decided, let the picture happen, because if you stop and ponder very much it will get labored and muddy.” Clearly, Schaar has the artist’s eye for knowing precisely when to stop.