Bob Upton

St. Paul, MN

2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2024, 2025

Bob Upton is a plein air painter, which means he brings his easel outside and paints on location from life. The painting is usually completed in one session, typically spending 3-4 hours at a location. Bob travels all over the country to paint a wide variety of locations and weather conditions.

Bob has been an award winning graphic designer for 30 years. Along with his education in design, he studied drawing and painting in the academic style of Classical Realism. His training was on the figure, portraiture and still life. He has also studied landscape outdoors.

He has a love of realism, rooted in traditional oil painting. Formal academic training in drawing and painting, combined with the outdoor palette of the French Impressionists has been the foundation of his education.

Recently the love of outdoor landscape has consumed his painting. Painting directly from nature is what inspires his artwork. To “catch the day” in paint has been a goal.