Robert J. Meulemans's Page

Profile Information

Are you an artist, arts organization or venue?: artist

What town do you live in?: West Springfield

In which disciplines do you work or exhibit?: Drawing, Painting, Clay

Artist Statement/Bio: Robert
Meulemans

Artist Statement

I have earned a BFA from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst with a graduate degree from Our Lady of the Elms College. I currently work as a full time art teacher at Chicopee Comprehensive High School in Chicopee, MA and am also an instructor for Camp OPEE, as well as a professional fine artist.

My inspiration for making art began early in my childhood. There really is no defining moment when I decided that I was an artist; rather I always remember making art as if it were a part of my everyday life. This was instinctual not something that was pressed upon me. Like most young boys living through American Pop Culture, I was engaged by hero worship, and amazed by athletes, and the military. These are all still themes that resonate in my work today. Now, having worked for about a decade in the private art sector, I have created portrait, landscape and design work that has been purchased and displayed in public. I painted two designs for the “Planes Over Chicopee” project where I am being commissioned to create a painted design on the surface of a giant C-5 Galaxy. It is cultural projects like these that build my enthusiasm for the arts and promote this kind of cultural enrichment throughout our community.

I work primarily with graphite and oil paints, and have studied the old masters techniques including: Rembrandt, Raphael, Da Vinci, as well as contemporary masters such as: Rockwell, Wyeth, Close and Kinstler. I am fascinated with color theory and try to inject an element of color into all of the works that I have completed. I also have experience working with polymer clay creating rubber molds and working with reproduction and casting of acrylic and bronze sculptures. An aluminum sculpture of my “American Eagle” sold at auction recently for the Springfield Arts Initiative to benefit victims of hurricane damage in Springfield, MA. I have also been published in “Everything is Art” magazine.

My work certainly draws on the traditions of the past, which I believe to be an important study, but I have moved forward into the modern era trying to combine post modern and classical elements throughout my work. Many people comment on the striking use of color, as well as my attention to detail. I feel as though I am always eager to learn new techniques to improve my products and I aspire to keep learning throughout my lifetime. My goals in the future are to have additional gallery exhibitions, sell my work privately, and publish my work in nationally distributed publications.

My experiences in educating both children and adults have improved me as an artist and also improved my character as an individual. I cherish the experiences that I have with all of my students and have been surprised at how much I learned from working with them even though I was the instructor. I have made personal bonds with my students that have lasted beyond the high school environment making lasting contacts with their parents, and guiding my students through the college application process. I have also written many recommendations for students to apply to college and to apply to careers in the visual art field.

I am a passionate artist with an emotional and intellectual investment in classical themes and the importance of the tradition of art in our culture.

Website: http://robertmeulemans.com

Comment Wall (1 comment)

You need to be a member of Valley Art Share to add comments!

Join Valley Art Share

At 10:45am on September 30, 2019, James Pollard said…: Good Day,

How is everything with you, I picked interest on you after going through your short profile and deemed it necessary to write you immediately. I have something very vital to disclose to you, but I found it difficult to express myself here, since it's a public site.Could you please get back to me on ( mr.jamespollard01@gmail.com ) for the full details.
Have a nice day
Thanks God bless.