Robert M. Urban
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I am a painter of landscapes, but not in a traditional sense. My art primarily reflects the ongoing
struggle to coexist between nature and humankind. This is achieved through the development
of my own personal symbology, representing this ongoing saga and my perception of it. This is
my effort to create a sense of meaning from the world: order from chaos and chaos from order.
This is revealed through numerous layers that build up over time, much like the layers that
create our lives. These layers are added and then removed. Thus, my theme of opposition is
represented in the artistic process itself- creation and destruction.
Usually a landscape setting I have visited will be the initial inspiration for an artwork, or possibly
a whole series of pieces. Personal interactions within the environment- a hike, trail run, park
visit; lately it's been cycling through country roads... or some other outing in nature- often serve
as my muse. The layering process I use when I paint is evolutionary; I never quite know exactly
where it will take me visually or conceptually. The idea and the artwork grow, sometimes over
several weeks depending on the size I’m working on, as I create the image. As I paint, more
details emerge regarding the artwork’s meaning, thus finding me, so to speak. This way of
working creates an element of surprise, which I find exciting.
Depicting the beauty of nature, even in a non-traditional way, reflects my appreciation for what
the natural world offers to us. Environmental concerns for Earth affected by human interaction
remain just below the surface of each artwork I create.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I am a painter of landscapes, but not in a traditional sense. My art primarily reflects the ongoing
struggle to coexist between nature and humankind. This is achieved through the development
of my own personal symbology, representing this ongoing saga and my perception of it. This is
my effort to create a sense of meaning from the world: order from chaos and chaos from order.
This is revealed through numerous layers that build up over time, much like the layers that
create our lives. These layers are added and then removed. Thus, my theme of opposition is
represented in the artistic process itself- creation and destruction.
Usually a landscape setting I have visited will be the initial inspiration for an artwork, or possibly
a whole series of pieces. Personal interactions within the environment- a hike, trail run, park
visit; lately it's been cycling through country roads... or some other outing in nature- often serve
as my muse. The layering process I use when I paint is evolutionary; I never quite know exactly
where it will take me visually or conceptually. The idea and the artwork grow, sometimes over
several weeks depending on the size I’m working on, as I create the image. As I paint, more
details emerge regarding the artwork’s meaning, thus finding me, so to speak. This way of
working creates an element of surprise, which I find exciting.
Depicting the beauty of nature, even in a non-traditional way, reflects my appreciation for what
the natural world offers to us. Environmental concerns for Earth affected by human interaction
remain just below the surface of each artwork I create.