Rob Sullivan
@robertsullivanart.bsky.social
Painter in ME. Professor in MA. Visual Culture lecturer. Art-critical theorist. Tolkien aficionado. Daily perambulator.
NO AI • NO NFTs
robertsullivanart.com
NO AI • NO NFTs
robertsullivanart.com
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Hey all - I'm Rob Sullivan, an artist living and working in Maine. I'm also a professor at the undergrad level (20+ years!). Check my site for the full compliment of my works. Just fyi: you'll find no artificially generated imagery here; it's all traditional work. AMA! As a teacher, I welcome it!
“Sisyphea” is 22 x 30 in., oil on panel.
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 AM
“Sisyphea” is 22 x 30 in., oil on panel.
A 6 x 12 in. oil on panels diptych: “Auditae.” Playing with natural spiral forms.
July 25, 2025 at 11:12 PM
A 6 x 12 in. oil on panels diptych: “Auditae.” Playing with natural spiral forms.
"Ordinanda" is 20 x 24 inches, oil on cradled panel.
First time executing a grisaille with glazing at this scale. It was difficult, but I think I figured it out.
First time executing a grisaille with glazing at this scale. It was difficult, but I think I figured it out.
July 10, 2025 at 11:25 PM
"Ordinanda" is 20 x 24 inches, oil on cradled panel.
First time executing a grisaille with glazing at this scale. It was difficult, but I think I figured it out.
First time executing a grisaille with glazing at this scale. It was difficult, but I think I figured it out.
This is “Imminea” -oil on Arches primed paper, 12x12 in. Every summer I try to paint at least one ocean-themed work.
#oilpainting #ocean #waves
#oilpainting #ocean #waves
July 1, 2025 at 2:45 AM
This is “Imminea” -oil on Arches primed paper, 12x12 in. Every summer I try to paint at least one ocean-themed work.
#oilpainting #ocean #waves
#oilpainting #ocean #waves
June 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
“Apricitas” is oil on three 18” x 36” canvases = 36” x 54” (91.5 x 37 cm). I posted the full work and the three panels separately so you can get a better view on your vertical-format phones.
May 23, 2025 at 5:18 PM
“Apricitas” is oil on three 18” x 36” canvases = 36” x 54” (91.5 x 37 cm). I posted the full work and the three panels separately so you can get a better view on your vertical-format phones.
"Anima" is 24 x 30 in, oil on panel. When we are subsumed or overwhelmed, our rationale can fall into chaos. But it can also be a kind of baptism, a rebirth into some new phase of being.
#painting #oilpainting #philosophy #oceanwaves
#painting #oilpainting #philosophy #oceanwaves
April 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
"Anima" is 24 x 30 in, oil on panel. When we are subsumed or overwhelmed, our rationale can fall into chaos. But it can also be a kind of baptism, a rebirth into some new phase of being.
#painting #oilpainting #philosophy #oceanwaves
#painting #oilpainting #philosophy #oceanwaves
"Invideo" is 24x18 inches, oil on panel. It's frightening to know we have given up our privacies and are constantly under the hot light of online scrutiny. I suppose it was our choice to build a conjoined reality in the digital world. Now we're stuck in it.
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
March 25, 2025 at 11:39 PM
"Invideo" is 24x18 inches, oil on panel. It's frightening to know we have given up our privacies and are constantly under the hot light of online scrutiny. I suppose it was our choice to build a conjoined reality in the digital world. Now we're stuck in it.
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
"Tenere" is oil on cradled panel, 16x12 inches. This is an early example of using transparent shapes in a more "interactive" way inside the picture plane. Also, it's my first serious use of Caput Mortuum in a work. It plays off the Phthalo Turquoise quite well.
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
March 19, 2025 at 9:45 PM
"Tenere" is oil on cradled panel, 16x12 inches. This is an early example of using transparent shapes in a more "interactive" way inside the picture plane. Also, it's my first serious use of Caput Mortuum in a work. It plays off the Phthalo Turquoise quite well.
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
These two slides represent the result of color glazing transparent oils into a straight-up grisaille. I really haven’t done this before on an entire work, so this was a new & interesting experience. It’s also very small at 4x4 in. I’m calling it “Chiara” because, y’know, chiaroscuro.
#oilpainting
#oilpainting
March 15, 2025 at 12:20 AM
These two slides represent the result of color glazing transparent oils into a straight-up grisaille. I really haven’t done this before on an entire work, so this was a new & interesting experience. It’s also very small at 4x4 in. I’m calling it “Chiara” because, y’know, chiaroscuro.
#oilpainting
#oilpainting
“Livens” is 20 x 30 inches, o/c. I’m pleased that this one sold to a Maine island dweller. It’s fitting to hang this in a place surrounded by the Atlantic.
#oilpainting #traditionalart #figureart
#oilpainting #traditionalart #figureart
March 13, 2025 at 3:45 PM
“Livens” is 20 x 30 inches, o/c. I’m pleased that this one sold to a Maine island dweller. It’s fitting to hang this in a place surrounded by the Atlantic.
#oilpainting #traditionalart #figureart
#oilpainting #traditionalart #figureart
Simple still life (Minumentals series) - "Honeybear" - oil on linen mounted to panel, 6 x 6 inches. This was my middle son's childhood special bear.
#painting #oilpainting #cute #stuffedanimal #bear #smallworks #allaprima
#painting #oilpainting #cute #stuffedanimal #bear #smallworks #allaprima
March 10, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Simple still life (Minumentals series) - "Honeybear" - oil on linen mounted to panel, 6 x 6 inches. This was my middle son's childhood special bear.
#painting #oilpainting #cute #stuffedanimal #bear #smallworks #allaprima
#painting #oilpainting #cute #stuffedanimal #bear #smallworks #allaprima
Tonight is opening night at Arch Enemy Fine Arts in Philadelphia for the *2025 Spotlight Showcase!* "Cognitia" will be shown among 30 other excellent artists' works, and I am very proud to be part of this illustrious group!
@archenemyarts.bsky.social
www.archenemyarts.com/spotlightsho...
@archenemyarts.bsky.social
www.archenemyarts.com/spotlightsho...
March 7, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Tonight is opening night at Arch Enemy Fine Arts in Philadelphia for the *2025 Spotlight Showcase!* "Cognitia" will be shown among 30 other excellent artists' works, and I am very proud to be part of this illustrious group!
@archenemyarts.bsky.social
www.archenemyarts.com/spotlightsho...
@archenemyarts.bsky.social
www.archenemyarts.com/spotlightsho...
"Eluvia" is an oil painting on panel, 22 x 30 inches. When we wash away the things from the past, they still may cling to us; and the thing that’s still in our heads may not be seen so obviously in the body.
#painting #oilpainting #figurepainting #traditionalpainting #realism #figureinwater
#painting #oilpainting #figurepainting #traditionalpainting #realism #figureinwater
March 2, 2025 at 3:00 AM
"Eluvia" is an oil painting on panel, 22 x 30 inches. When we wash away the things from the past, they still may cling to us; and the thing that’s still in our heads may not be seen so obviously in the body.
#painting #oilpainting #figurepainting #traditionalpainting #realism #figureinwater
#painting #oilpainting #figurepainting #traditionalpainting #realism #figureinwater
"Exorta" is 24 x 24 inches, oil on panel. Closeup shot shows a Pisces symbol on the necklace, which is self-referential. Figure reference inspired by the work of Dan Katz - @thatzkatz.bsky.social (thanks, Dan!)
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalpainting #figurativeart #clouds
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalpainting #figurativeart #clouds
February 28, 2025 at 1:00 AM
"Exorta" is 24 x 24 inches, oil on panel. Closeup shot shows a Pisces symbol on the necklace, which is self-referential. Figure reference inspired by the work of Dan Katz - @thatzkatz.bsky.social (thanks, Dan!)
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalpainting #figurativeart #clouds
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalpainting #figurativeart #clouds
"Tenebrae" is 40 x 30 inches, oil on canvas. I was thinking of both Da Vinci and Bronzino, but using a highly limited palette to suggest more color than what was applied to the surface. Another one from the Detached Muse suite.
#oilpainting #painting #art #realism #portraiture #traditionalart
#oilpainting #painting #art #realism #portraiture #traditionalart
February 25, 2025 at 5:15 AM
"Tenebrae" is 40 x 30 inches, oil on canvas. I was thinking of both Da Vinci and Bronzino, but using a highly limited palette to suggest more color than what was applied to the surface. Another one from the Detached Muse suite.
#oilpainting #painting #art #realism #portraiture #traditionalart
#oilpainting #painting #art #realism #portraiture #traditionalart
Here's the companion piece to the previous post. This is "Operosus," 24 x 48 in, oil on canvas. I wanted to create an atmosphere of oppressive heat with a yearning to transcend out of the body just to get some rest. But I'm also referencing a dreamlike state of transcendence. It's purposefully open.
February 20, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Here's the companion piece to the previous post. This is "Operosus," 24 x 48 in, oil on canvas. I wanted to create an atmosphere of oppressive heat with a yearning to transcend out of the body just to get some rest. But I'm also referencing a dreamlike state of transcendence. It's purposefully open.
"Sonticus" is an older work from the Detached Muse suite. It's 24 x 48 inches, oil on canvas. This is in a private collection with a companion piece, which I will post soon.
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart #figureart #representationalart
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart #figureart #representationalart
February 19, 2025 at 12:26 AM
"Sonticus" is an older work from the Detached Muse suite. It's 24 x 48 inches, oil on canvas. This is in a private collection with a companion piece, which I will post soon.
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart #figureart #representationalart
#painting #oilpainting #traditionalart #figureart #representationalart
I made some organic edits to this older digital piece for fun today and realized I haven't done or posted anything digital in a long time. Thanks to the model RebeccaLilith for inspiring this one, titled "Luminarca."
#digitalpainting #figureart #noai #noaiart
#digitalpainting #figureart #noai #noaiart
February 17, 2025 at 4:36 AM
I made some organic edits to this older digital piece for fun today and realized I haven't done or posted anything digital in a long time. Thanks to the model RebeccaLilith for inspiring this one, titled "Luminarca."
#digitalpainting #figureart #noai #noaiart
#digitalpainting #figureart #noai #noaiart
Similar to the previous post, "Caligo" is oil on panel, 9 x 12 in. I like doing these small and simple monochromes once in a while as a kind of general exercise in atmosphere and value.
#art #painting #oilpainting #realism #representationalart #traditionalart #smallworks
#art #painting #oilpainting #realism #representationalart #traditionalart #smallworks
February 14, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Similar to the previous post, "Caligo" is oil on panel, 9 x 12 in. I like doing these small and simple monochromes once in a while as a kind of general exercise in atmosphere and value.
#art #painting #oilpainting #realism #representationalart #traditionalart #smallworks
#art #painting #oilpainting #realism #representationalart #traditionalart #smallworks
"Speranda" is a smaller piece (9 x 12 in.) wherein I wanted to emphasize more simplicity. Thus the compact pose and the phthalo/magenta admixture monochrome.
#art #oilpainting #painting #figurativeart #fineart #fineartrealism #figurepainting
#art #oilpainting #painting #figurativeart #fineart #fineartrealism #figurepainting
February 8, 2025 at 9:37 PM
"Speranda" is a smaller piece (9 x 12 in.) wherein I wanted to emphasize more simplicity. Thus the compact pose and the phthalo/magenta admixture monochrome.
#art #oilpainting #painting #figurativeart #fineart #fineartrealism #figurepainting
#art #oilpainting #painting #figurativeart #fineart #fineartrealism #figurepainting
A personal piece from a while ago. “MM #1” is charcoal and oil on frosted Mylar, 12 x 12 in. A contemporary memento mori, if you will .
#art #drawing #painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
#art #drawing #painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
February 3, 2025 at 8:06 PM
A personal piece from a while ago. “MM #1” is charcoal and oil on frosted Mylar, 12 x 12 in. A contemporary memento mori, if you will .
#art #drawing #painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
#art #drawing #painting #oilpainting #traditionalart
Quick little (like really little) oil study on a 4x4 inch panel. Planning on glazing in color after it sets up.
#art #oilpainting #painting #study #smallworks
#art #oilpainting #painting #study #smallworks
February 1, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Quick little (like really little) oil study on a 4x4 inch panel. Planning on glazing in color after it sets up.
#art #oilpainting #painting #study #smallworks
#art #oilpainting #painting #study #smallworks
Another drawing/painting - this is "Capio," charcoal and oil on frosted Mylar, 24 x 20 inches. This was my homage to Andrew Wyeth, who was a big influence on my work from a very young age.
#art #painting #drawing #oilpainting #fineart #traditionalart #wyeth #newenglandart
#art #painting #drawing #oilpainting #fineart #traditionalart #wyeth #newenglandart
January 31, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Another drawing/painting - this is "Capio," charcoal and oil on frosted Mylar, 24 x 20 inches. This was my homage to Andrew Wyeth, who was a big influence on my work from a very young age.
#art #painting #drawing #oilpainting #fineart #traditionalart #wyeth #newenglandart
#art #painting #drawing #oilpainting #fineart #traditionalart #wyeth #newenglandart
"Nulla Gloria" is charcoal and oil on frosted Mylar, 36 x 24 in. The only oil paint on this one is the flames and some of the smoke - the latter of which seamlessly integrates into the charcoal. This is part of the "A Troubling Calm" series.
#art #oilpainting #drawing #charcoal #mylar #realism
#art #oilpainting #drawing #charcoal #mylar #realism
January 28, 2025 at 11:35 PM