We chat to Logan artist Robert Lowe about his art, ambitions and advice.
Your art seems to cover a diverse range of topics and talent. How would you describe your genre?
I think it’s best to not put all of my eggs in one basket, really, I have painted every genre from low brow mural art to fine art oil paintings. Rather than focusing on one specific art form, my diversification allows me to be a part of nearly every art project that comes my way. While I love genres such as fantasy, traditional Japanese and horror, the majority of my works are centralised around my professional development as an artist, my journey through life and the people I hold dear.
What inspires you most?
Some of the biggest inspirations throughout my professional development have been other artists I have formed close relationships with. Starting with my high school art teacher June, who encouraged me to think outside of the box and really go to town experimenting with different ideas. Connections with international artists such as Ian Bourne and Gwyn Hughes have pushed me to refine my techniques and grow as an artist. And my friend and mentor, Don Johnson, who I idolised growing up and met in later life, really helped me get my head around a whole new set of skills.
What are your proudest moments?
My proudest moments are literally every time I see the smile on someone’s face when I show them, or hand over, a painting or drawing. I know that I have captured something really special and personal when a piece invokes emotion. Being a part of an international exhibit in London, and several Brisbane Street Art festivals has always been a blast, but honestly the absolute proudest moments have been coming just recently since I started tutoring art and being deployed on placement at high schools to teach art. Seeing my students develop these skills, enjoying themselves and even receiving awards for their artwork is a feeling like no other.
Can you tell us a bit about your history, and what has got you to this point?
I have been self taught for the majority of my career with the exception of some mentoring in later life. Having always had an interest in drawing, I doodled continuously throughout school before taking an airbrush workshop. One of my close friends Nigel had seen some of the things I was doing and to invest in some equipment for me and the journey really began from there. I would try and get involved in every thing art related that came my way, from band art, cd covers, tattoo designs, murals to pet and portrait illustrations. I think of myself as always being a life long student, and one day I was prompted by another good friend of mine, Kemp, to consider becoming an art teacher. The journey so far is just a non stop learning process, and even to this day I am finding new ways to explore different ideas and processes, at this point in time I have taken a real fascination to exploring light and colour theory in my recent works. To put it in a nutshell, the thing that has gotten me to this point has just been a lot of continual self-evaluation and then aiming to improve. People often say things to artists like, “Oh your so talented”, I couldn’t disagree with that statement anymore, for me it has been a lifetime of practice, practice, practice.
What are your goals?
My current goals are to finish my bachelor of secondary education majoring in visual arts, which I am in my last year of. I’ve always experienced creating art as a solo activity, but I have found with tutoring and teaching that the experience becomes collaborative, and that collaboration is something I am really, really enjoying. Looking towards the future, an art prize one day would be fantastic, I have entered Brisbane portrait prize among others a few times now, no cigar yet but I’m sure one day it will be on the cards.
Where are we likely to see Robert Lowe around the place?
I try my best to make it into as many exhibits and shows in and around Brisbane and Logan as possible, so you might see me there. I am also excited for the Redlands Art Show hosted by the Southern Cross Tattoo Club, which should be coming up soon if the whole covid thing settles down. You might catch me doing a mural here or there as well, the next ones coming up are in Beenleigh, Canungra and the Gold Coast. Other than my art, you probably won’t see me out too much, most of the time I’m usually tucked away studying or working on a new painting, unless I am on a mission to get some snacks for my wife.
We don’t need to tell you what comes up when we Google your name. How can people find you?
Yes unfortunately I wasn’t the first with this name, however a lot of my friends call me Bob and as a result my work has picked up the alias as being done by ‘The hand of Bob’.
Social media has been an absolute blessing in regards to meeting other artists, finding exhibits and sharing some of the work I create, so most here are the obligatory links to my online presence.
fb: www.facecbook.com/robertloweart
ig: @robertloweart
w: www.robertloweart.com
Where can people see your art?
People can stay up to date with where and when my works will be up, as well as see personal and commission pieces I do from time to time via social media, I will be making an effort to be more active on them this year.
Any advice for up and coming artists?
Find yourselves a good mentor if you can, reach out on social media and connect with other artists, don’t get too hard on yourselves, I find it such a common reoccurring thing where emerging artists are way too critical of their own work, especially in the face of more seasoned artists; there will always be someone out there better than you, but you should look at them as inspiration to improve your own practice. Most importantly, never stop experimenting and practicing, you will always find yourself improving with every piece you do. The journey can take you many places, allow you to meet some wonderful people and fill your life with experiences some people will never know.
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