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 Illustrator/Painters; especially those who designed with lush, broad strokes of value and color such as Dean Cornwell, Tom Lovell, Haddon Sundblom and Pino.  He also looks to the painting legends Frans Hals, Joaquin Sorolla, John Singer Sargent 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 two years of study under Glen Edwards and Tony Rasmussen at Utah State University, he earned a BFA in Illustration from Brigham Young University under Robert Barrett and Richard Hull.  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. 

Robert has been advised by Paul Mann, Max Ginsburg and Malcolm (Skip) Liepke who all 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." 

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.  Robert holds a teaching degree in the fields of Visual Art and Spanish.  Robert has taught art and Spanish in the public school system and illustration, history of illustration, figure and landscape painting for the University of Utah as well as figure drawing for Brigham Young University.  He has conducted a variety of workshops in the dynamic, Utah landscapes of Park City, Snowbird, and Heber Valley.  Robert was the coordinator of the life drawing/painting sessions at Bountiful/Davis Art Center.

Currently, Robert continues to paint for both illustration and fine art clients.  He teaches foundations, illustration history/techniques and figure drawing/painting classes at Salt Lake Community College and SLCC's Concurrent Enrollment drawing classes at Itineris Early College High.   As an artist and teacher, Robert deems it a pleasure to pass on the grand tradition of drawing, painting and illustration.

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:

2012     Terra Nova Gallery, Provo Plein Air Competition, Second Place

2012    Recipient LeConte Stewart Award in Education
2011     llustrators Utah 2nd Place
2011     Drawn to Life:  Life Drawing and the Development of the Artist Exhibitor and Demonstrator
2011     Pioneer Art Festival Exhibit Studio/Plein Air

2010     Terra Nova Gallery, Provo Plein Air Competition, Third Place

2009     Bountiful/Davis Art Center, Face to Face Exhibit and Head Painting Demonstration

2009     Apple Frame Gallery Pioneer Show and Figure Painting Demonstration

2009-2010     Bountiful/Davis Art Center, Handcart Days Invitational Artist

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

2007-2012   Bountiful/Davis Art Center Holiday Show

2007-2010     Terra Nova Gallery, Great Things/Small Packages

2007, 2010     Spring City Plein Air Event 

2007     Ogden Valley Plein Air Event

2007-2008     Thanksgiving Point Plein Air Invitational

2007-2008, 2010     Ogden Union Station, Secret Show Invitational

1998-2009 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