Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobby Storts.
Hi Bobby, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am originally from Peoria Heights, Illinois and I’ve been happily married for over 30 years to my wife Kristine. We have two children Jakob and Meghan. My educational background consists of a B.A. in Design & Visual Communication from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and a M.A.T. from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. Upon graduation from SIU I relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona where I had experience as a graphic designer and then studio artist. It was there that I began to experiment with many different techniques and advance my skills as a painter. A relocation to the St. Louis area resulted in the positions of Illustrator, art production/manufacturer representative, and gallery assistant before finally settling into a high school art teaching position for 19 years. My teaching experience includes classes in Introduction to Art, Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, and Digital Art & Design.
I was fortunate to get to work with kids on the importance of art and to help them gain an appreciation for the fine arts. My teaching philosophy was that the sciences teach us how to live, but the fine arts teach us how to live well. While teaching was extremely rewarding, it left little time for me, “the artist” and I’ve been loving the transition from classroom to my own studio. I’m excited for this next chapter in my artistic journey and to seek new challenges in a field I love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I know it’s cliche, but I have found the analogy to a roller coaster ride to be so true. Time, health, finances, etc. can all present challenges. I have been fortunate to have strong support and encouragement in whatever part of that roller coaster ride I found myself in.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a painter with original works that are predominantly acrylics on textured canvas. (with a few exceptions) Themes can be diverse with a long list of inspiration that includes nature, music, texture, mind, body, and spirituality.
I spent the first year and a half of my transition from teaching to studio, working on a large series of pieces titled, “Dreams, Hallucinations”. It was a passion project for me and was based on a letter my father wrote regarding some of his personal experiences as a prisoner of war during WWII. It turned into a solo exhibition hosted by Rivertown Arts Foundation and a couple of the paintings along with Dad’s original letter are now on view in the 13th Biannual Exhibition through the end of April at the Angad Arts Hotel in St. Louis. Also, I’m currently finishing a painting that I will include in the collection and am hoping for future exhibition opportunities involving that body of work. My website, www.3littlebirdsstudio.com has a section specifically dedicated to it.
I’m currently working on a series of paintings that are based on the themes of “mindscapes” and “thin places”. Basically abstracted landscapes that go deeper by combining nature and spirituality.
Plus I have a project that I started when I was still in the classroom called Hav_A_Heart. I create small heart themed paintings that either I or one of my “Heart Helpers” leaves in random or selected locations for anyone to find. When found the artwork is theirs to keep and all that is asked is that the finder performs a random act of kindness for someone. I place them locally and when we travel. Thanks to family and several heart helpers, these heart paintings have been placed all over the world. I’m a big believer in Karma, plus it’s just fun and feels good to do. There is a link on my website for that project as well and also on Instagram @hav_a_heart
I’m definitely keeping myself busy.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Be curious. Be persistent. Be open. Enjoy the process. I had a few sayings that I used frequently when I was teaching that became known as Stortsisms. My favorite was always Stortsism #1. “Surround yourself with people who complement your life, not complicate your life.”
Pricing:
- Works for sale are listed with pricing on my website.
- Some work is not for sale or not for sale at the time and will be listed as NFS or just not have a price listed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.3littlebirdsstudio.com
- Instagram: @bobbystortsart
- LinkedIn: Bobby Storts
