Tom A. Robertson’s works continue to charm their beholders, with their presence being felt in numerous public and private art collections. Three of his distinguished works – the watercolor ‘Anthurium’ and the serigraphs ‘The Orange Point’ and ‘Flight’ – have earned a revered place in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington DC.
Early Life and Education
Born on this day July 19, 1911 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Robertson’s initial footsteps seemed to follow the path of his father, Thomas N. Robertson, a respected attorney and secretary of the Arkansas Law School. Upon graduating from Little Rock High School, the young artist enrolled in law school and commenced studies in contract and real estate law. However, his heart belonged elsewhere. With his father’s support, he decided to pursue his passion for art and left the law field behind.
Despite his late start and doubts about his ability to draw, Robertson took a bold step in 1931 when he enrolled in a summer art class. The class was conducted by May Danaher, a renowned Little Rock teacher known for her portraits and studies of the Ozark Mountains. This marked the beginning of Robertson’s formal education in art.
Artistic Journey
In the fall of the same year, Robertson advanced his studies at the Adrian Brewer School of Art in Little Rock. His talent was soon recognized as he was awarded the George B. Rose scholarship in 1933, offering him a year’s free tuition. This recognition was followed by a grand prize at the first Spring Amateur Art Exhibit, sponsored by the Fine Arts Club of Arkansas. His winning oil painting, ‘Girl in Green,’ was selected from hundreds of entries, a testament to his evolving artistry.
Robertson’s remarkable contribution to the art community began when he co-founded the Little Rock Art League in 1933 and became its first president. Modeled after the Art Students League of New York, this non-profit organization offered art instruction and organized annual exhibitions.
Influence and Inspiration
Robertson’s artistic journey was influenced by several individuals. One such influential figure was Howard Simon, an adept woodcut and graphic artist. Under his guidance, Robertson explored the realm of printmaking.
His painting ‘Summer Interlude’ was displayed at the 130th Annual National Exhibition held by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia in 1935. This institution, being the oldest art museum and school in the United States, provided a significant platform for Robertson’s work.
New Orleans: The Turning Point
Later in 1935, Robertson relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana, to study under Paul Ninas, a pioneer modernist. This move marked a turning point in his career as he swiftly established himself as a portraitist. His studio on Toulouse Street was home to a variety of exquisite works, including a portrait of his father and a painting titled ‘Glory, Glory,’ which captured a religious group’s deep emotional expression.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Robertson frequently exhibited his work at the Isaac Delgado Museum of Fine Arts (now known as the New Orleans Museum of Art – NOMA) during its annual show. In January 1937, he exhibited thirteen oil portraits and still-life studies under the Art Association of New Orleans. Two of these pieces, including ‘Albert Rieker,’ a portrait of a German-born sculptor, were showcased at the National Exhibition of American Art in New York City later that year.
Personal Life and Teaching Career
On April 7, 1937, Robertson married Virginia Kumbler in New Orleans. The couple soon relocated to Little Rock. In 1940, Robertson became the art instructor at Little Rock Junior College, now known as the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, replacing Harry Louis Freund.
Abstraction and Screenprints
After his return to Little Rock, Robertson began producing a remarkable series of screen prints, also known as serigraphs. These works mirrored his abstract watercolors in style and color palette. ‘Sweet Boy,’ ‘The Orange Point,’ ‘The New Apprentice,’ and ‘Little Willie’ were four serigraphs that earned a place in his 1941 exhibition at the Delgado Museum.
Robertson’s painting style underwent a significant transformation during the 1940s as he ventured into complete abstraction. He drew inspiration from Native American art themes that did not carry any recognizable meaning. His designs, adorned with arcs, circles, slashes, and lines, were derived from the ancient decorative pottery of the Caddo Indians, who once inhabited land in what is now southwestern Arkansas.
World War II and Subsequent Career
During World War II, in 1942, Robertson began working as a civilian draftsman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in Little Rock. Despite his demanding job, he continued his artistic pursuits by focusing on smaller watercolors and tempera paintings. Twenty of his non-objective watercolors were exhibited at the Addison Gallery in 1945, and along with his serigraphs, they composed a one-man exhibition at the Little Rock Public Library later that year.
Later Life and Legacy
In the mid-1940s, Robertson was transferred to the American Graves Registration Command in Paris, France, as a civilian employee of the USACE. While in France, he appears to have temporarily abandoned his passion for painting. He returned to the United States in 1957 and settled in California. He worked for the USACE until his retirement around 1960 and then spent the remainder of his life in Albion, California. The life journey of this remarkable artist came to an end on May 25, 1976.
Tom A. Robertson’s art continues to inspire and captivate, leaving a lasting legacy that transcends generations. His journey, filled with exploration, transformation, and innovation, serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists worldwide.
References
- Acton, David. A Spectrum of Innovation: Color in American Printmaking, 1890-1960. New York: Norton, 1990.
- Federal Writers Project. WPA Guide to 1930s Arkansas. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1987.
- Hudson, Ralph. “Art in Arkansas.” Arkansas Historical Quarterly 3 (Winter 1944): 299-350.
Curated by Jennifer
