Biography

During the 1960s and '70s the Worcester Art Museum had free admission. This enabled aspiring artist, Robert W. Harris, to spend many, many hours there, where he became acquainted with Rembrandt, Titian, El Greco, Sargent and others. An exhilarating world had been opened up early to this boy from Worcester's south end.

Bob received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Boston University in 1987.

During the early 1990s Bob lived in New York City and studied with Robert Kulicke, master frame-maker and painter. Building upon his skills as a furniture-maker (a craft Bob Harris had been apprenticed in since 11-years-old), he learned from Kulicke the crafts of gilding, creating patinas and faux finishing — matching authentic seventeenth century Italian and Dutch frames.

In 2004 Bob earned a Master's degree in Art Education from Fitchburg State College. Bob currently serves as art teacher at Gardner Middle School.

Bob paints and exhibits throughout New England, and receives commissions for portraiture. He and his family make their home in rural Petersham, Mass.

Curriculum Vitae

Professional Experience

   Professional painter since 1998 Painting portraits by commission. And landscape, portraits and still life paintings represented by galleries.

   Art Teacher, Gardner Middle School, Gardner, Mass, 2002-Present, helping open up to seventh and eighth graders the world of painting, drawing and art history


Academic Preparation

   Master of Art Education, Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, Mass, 2004

   Apprenticeship, Robert Kulicke, learned painting and frame-making in traditional European methods, 1990

   Bachelor of Fine Arts, Boston University, Boston, Mass, 1987