Painter's Exhibit Reflects a Poetic and Whimsical Attitude

After years of teaching high school, Robert R. Cobb of Rolling Meadows pursues his lifelong passion of creating acrylic and oil paintings of original landscapes that draw people into his peaceful world.

Cobb's exhibit will be featured from Saturday, April 7 to Saturday, July 7 at Moats Gallery, 675 N. North Ct. in Palatine. His exhibit is co-sponsored by the Northwest Cultural Council, and is free and open to the public.

"Most of my inspiration comes from nature, but I try not to limit my imagination," Cobb says. "Words inspire me, too-poetry and prose, conversations with friends, memories and dreams," he adds. "There is an internal dialogue that occurs during any creative process that involves visual and verbal interplay. For me, this requires quiet time to contemplate."

Cobb, whose work ranges from realistic to abstract, also writes and publishes poetry in his spare time. He believes his artwork evokes his "poetic and whimsical attitude."

Cobb believes that art, like life, is composed of basic elements and principles. He says artistic elements include "originality, content, and an intuitive understanding of color and composition."

The painter welcomes the public at his exhibits to receive viewers' impressions and interpretations of his work.

Cobb taught art for decades at Maine Township High School in Park Ridge and adult education in neighboring districts, retiring in 1999. He has won numerous awards as an educator and artist, also creating drawings, etchings, lithography, calligraphy, and digital art.

Since his retirement, Cobb regularly exhibits at libraries and corporate buildings in Cook and Lake Counties. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Illinois State University and Northern Illinois University, respectively.

The Northwest Cultural Council serves the Northwest corridor, a non-profit organization. NWCC supports and promotes the work of area visual artists and poets, offering a variety of programs including corporate gallery exhibitions, co-sponsored by businesses, convention and visitors' bureaus, libraries, and hospitals; art competitions to stimulate and encourage artists; and poetry workshops and readings.

For more information about Cobb's exhibit, call NWCC, 847-382-6922.