Welcome!
Bio
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"While studying art in college in the 70's I noticed that the progress of realism was interrupted in the 1800’s by impressionism and in the 1900’s by abstract painting. But I became captivated by the works of realists such as Ralph Goings, Alphonse Mucha, and the mid century American Illustrators. I've attempted to follow that expression throughout my career as a commercial artist, muralist, and fine artist.
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As a studio artist I enjoy the challenge of painting hyper-realistically because we "see" so very little of what we look at. But when you set out to paint every minute detail, you discover a fascinating new world. And aside from simply making something look real, I also try to express my artistic passion through the use of dramatic color and composition."​​
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"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord."
Colossians 3:23​
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Robert Bucknell is an award winning artist with a long career in freelance commercial and commissioned work. Born in Colorado and raised in Sacramento, he began painting signs and murals while studying art in college in the early 70’s.
After moving his family to Carson City, Nevada in the late 80’s he established Bucknell Arts and transistioned later to full time mural painting. He spent more than 20 years traveling throughout the US and also South Africa painting large scale landscape and wildlife murals for private and public natural history exhibits. Robert’s murals have been displayed in public, residential, and commercial places, including more than 30 Cabela's Sporting Goods Stores nationwide and Bass Pro's mega flagship store in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Now focusing exclusively on his studio work, Robert enjoys creating hyper-realistic oil paintings with a bit of levity. He is often asked how he achieves such photo like paintings, but it is only by his God given talent along with the use of photo references that he produces his masterpieces. He does not do paint-overs or incorporate any other form of computerized mixed media. For this he has earned recognition and numerous awards from Plein Air Magazine, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, and other International and local competitions. He is a member of the International Guild of Realism, and is guest contributor for Realism Today magazine.
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AWARDS - EXHIBITS
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2025: Top 40 Finalist - Annual Plein Air Magazine PACE Convention - Reno/Tahoe
2024: Camelback Gallery - Realism - Gold Award (Retro Roast)
2024: Plein Air Magazine - August International Salon: Best Still Life (Coffee Time It is)
2024: Plein Air Magazine - April International Salon: 2nd Place Overall - (Afternoon Tea)
2024: Plein Air Magazine - April International Salon: Best Water (Living Water-Lake Tahoe)
2024: Teravarna International Still Life Competition: Talent Prize Award
2024: Camelback Gallery: Figurative Painting: Silver (The Immigrant)
2024: Camelback Gallery: Figurative Painting: Bronze (High Bear)
2023: Plein Air Magazine - April International Salon: Best Still Life (Morning Coffee)
2023: NOAPS: National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society: Spring International Online Exhibit:
Best use of Light and Color (Morning Coffee)
2023: Plein Air Magazine: March International Salon: Best Landscape (Job's Peak)
2023: PleinAir Magazine - March International Salon: Honorable Mention (Living Water)
2023: PleinAir Magazine - March International Salon: Honorable Mention (Fire & Ice)
2023 Art Masters : Top Art Award March - 4th Place - (Black Forest Beauty)
​2023: Spirit of America Show: Best of Show & People's Choice (American Beauty)
2023: Nevada Artist's Assoc. - New Years Show: People's Choice Award (Fire & Ice)
2023: - Winter Show - Nevada Artists Assoc.: 1st Place in Oil painting (Number Eight)
2022: Nevada Day Show, Nevada Artist's Assoc.: Best of Show (Fire & Ice)
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​EXHIBITS
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2024 December 1-31, : 12" x 12" Show - t h Brennen Fine Arts - Scottsdale, AZ
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​2025: national oil & acrylic painters society -Spring international online exhibition
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2024 Sept-Dec: IGOR Fall online Exhibition
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2024 OCT 12-13: THE GENOA GALLERY - gENOA, nEVADA - SOLO EXHIBITION
2023 - national oil & acrylic painters society - Spring international online exhibition
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Nevada State Legislature
401 S Carson St, Carson City, NV
February 6 - June 5 2023
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Nevada Artists Association Gallery
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Spirit of America Show
June 17 - July 28 2023
New Years Show - Featured Artist
January 1, 2023 - February 10, 2023
Winter Show: Judge - February 15- March 28 2025
Brewery Arts Center
449 W King St - Carson City, NV
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