Robert Wilkens feels blessed to be a purgatory artist; seeing two worlds and trapped in neither. Hispanic by birth his adoption, at age eleven, provides his Anglo last name. Robert began his career as an artist at age 23.
Inspired by Michelangelo and DaVinci, he began his work doing murals and trompe l’oeil. His commissions are in Texas churches, businesses, homes, and culminated with the Theater Room of the White House for First Lady Laura Bush
He remains open to a diverse range of styles, subject matters, and mediums, including sculpture, plein air, portraits, still life, and is known in San Antonio for his Day of the Dead paintings.
Determined to find his own voice as an artist, his current work uses surrealism and expressionism in an attempt to expand consciousness and challenge intellectual reality. His work is collected throughout the United States and Mexico.
AWARDS
2nd Place for Standing Strong, Plein Air Brush Creek Art Walk, Kansas City, MO
1st Place for Surfing the Net, Sienna Art Festival, Sienna, TX
Best of Show, Boca Raton Fine Art Show, Boca Raton, FL
Merchants Award for Irish Eyes, Richardson Fine Arts Show, Richardson, TX
PUBLICATIONS
Plein AIr Magazine, 2019
Architectural Digest, 2002
GROUP and SOLO SHOWS
92nd All-Texas Juried Exhibition, San Antonio Art League Museum, TX
64th National Juried Art Exhibition, Rocky Mount, NC
56th Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibition, Richardson Civic Center, TX
Lubbock Arts Festival, Juried Gallery, Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, TX
Bell Gallery, Beloit Art Center, Wisconsin
GALLERIES
SAAC, La Canterra Gallery, San Antonio, TX
The Art Lounge, South Padre Island, TX