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 the realists such as Ralph Goings, Norman Rockwell, and the mid century American Illustrators. I have endeavored to follow that expression throughout my career as a commercial artist, muralist, and fine artist.
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As a studio artist I particularly enjoy painting hyper-realistically because we "see" very little of what we look at. But when you set out to paint every minute detail, you discover a new and fascinating unseen world. Apart 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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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 oil paintings, Robert enjoys creating hyper-realistic Still Life masterpieces 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 photo references that he accomplishes his work. He does not do paint-overs or use 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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EXHIBITS - GALLERIES - AWARDS
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December 1-31, 2024
hosted by t h Brennen Fine Arts
Scottsdale, AZ
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Genoa, Nevada
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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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RECENT AWARDS
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2024-25: Finalist - Annual Plein Air Awards Competition - "Afternoon Tea"
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: 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: 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- Genoa, Nevada)
2023: PleinAir Magazine - March International Salon: Honorable Mention (Living Water)
2023: PleinAir Magazine - March International Salon: Honorable Mention (Fire & Ice - Sand Harbor)
2023 Art Masters : Top Art Award March - 4th Place - (Black Forest Beauty)
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Nevada Artists Association Gallery Exhibits
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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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