Robert McKay Biography

Robert A. McKay

Robert strives to capture the animated spirit of the figure and landscape through a painterly approach.  "I endeavor to capture the breathing essence of my subjects.  Studies from life are a critical part of my work in seeking beauty, harmony, order and truth in nature."

His influences are the classic American Illustrators; especially those who designed with lush, broad strokes of value and color such as Dean Cornwell, Tom Lovell, and Haddon Sundblom.  He also looks to the painting legends Frans Hals, Joaquin Sorolla and Emile Gruppe for their descriptive, lucid brushwork.

Robert grew up in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountains in Salt Lake City, Utah.  His high school art teacher, Lorin Folland, introduced him to plein air painting and also passed on teachings learned from Brackman and DuMond at the Art Students League. 

After earning a BFA in Illustration from Brigham Young University, UT, he traveled east to complete a Master's degree in Studio Art through Marywood University, PA in conjunction with Parsons School of Design and School of Visual Arts, NY.  Two of Robert's influences at the time were Max Ginsburg and Malcolm (Skip) Liepke who gave him encouragement in his artistic direction.  Robert went on to apprentice with artist Paul Mann.  "Paul trained me in the solid tradition of narrative painting/illustration.  I'm indebted to him for his mentorship; for sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for painting and the history of illustration."

Beginning his art career as a freelance illustrator, Robert painted for such clients as Browning Arms, Boyd's Mills Press, Deseret Book, the Baptist Sunday School and the LDS Church Magazines.  He eventually had the opportunity to attend figure and landscape workshops with Earl Jones and Jim Wilcox.  They served as an inspiration for his teaching. 

Over the years Robert has taught university and college level drawing and painting courses in illustration, figure and landscape painting.   He has conducted a variety of workshops in the dynamic, Utah landscapes of Park City, Snowbird, and Heber Valley.  Robert taught seven years as a Secondary Educator in Visual Art and Spanish and he currently teaches figure drawing and painting at Salt Lake Community College.  As an artist, Robert deems it a pleasure to pass on the grand tradition of painting to the next generation. 

Robert's fine art and narrative illustration works exhibit in private and public collections, book and international magazine publications. 

See "Events" page for current exhibitions.

Past exhibitions include:

2009     Bountiful/Davis Art Center, Face to Face Exhibit and Head Painting Demonstration
2009     Apple Frame Gallery Pioneer Show and Figure Painting Demonstration
2009     Midway Paint Out, Fourth Place
2009     Heber Paint,  Out Merit Award
2009     Terra Nova Gallery Solo Show/Painting Demonstration Robert McKay: Indoors & Outdoors
2008     Terra Nova Gallery, Provo Plein Air Competition, Second Place
2008     Beverly Mastrim Gallery at Wheeler Farm, Robert McKay/Ben Hammond Two Man Show
2008     Gallery at the Station, Robert McKay/Ben Hammond Two Man Show
2007     Terra Nova Gallery, Provo Plein Air Competition, Best of Show and Artists' Choice awards
2007-2009     Bountiful/Davis Art Center Holiday Show
2007-2009     Terra Nova Gallery, Great Things/Small Packages
2007     Spring City Plein Air Event 
2007     Ogden Valley Plein Air Event
2007-2008     Thanksgiving Point Plein Air Invitational
2007-2008     Ogden Union Station, Secret Show Invitational
1998-2008 Bountiful/Davis Art Center, Contemporary Illustration Exhibition Invitational
2006     Bountiful/Davis Art Center, Utah State Show, Honorable Mention
2006     Eccles Community Art Center, Black and White Show