Today we’d like to introduce you to Bob Hord.
Bob, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My adventure began while in my senior year at Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida, when I was recruited by Hallmark Cards in Kansas City.
While there I worked in the contemporary cards (those tall skinny humor cards) department for several years before relocating to California where I worked for Mattel Toys until the mid-seventies when I decided to try freelancing as a commercial illustrator and never looked back.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I suppose cartooning is what I’m best known for having illustrated many cards, tee shirts, books. posters, etc. But I also developed a style of paper sculpting that I have used in much of my commercial work as well as fine art pieces.
To create a paper sculpture I start with a drawing which is then broken down into patterns and each is cut out using colored art papers and assembled using spacers to give it depth. They can be up to three inches deep.
Besides my commercial work my other interests have been ceramic sculpting, metal sculpting, mixed media and creating musical instruments, primarily cigar box guitars, under the moniker Smokebox Bob.
Over the past couple of years I have worked on a series of black and white paintings depicting the daily life of robots.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
Creative people must create. Making a living at art can be a struggle. I have managed to do it but not without my share of ups and downs.
But I am now in my seventies and still get excited about my next art project. You can’t put a price on that.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Most recently I have completed illustrated maps of Encinitas and Oceanside and am currently working on Carlsbad.
They can be seen in various establishments around these cities.
Also, this year’s banner for the Arts Alive program is currently hanging on Hwy 101 in Encinitas and will be auctioned off on May 20.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sideburn.com/bobhordart https://robot-paintings.weebly.com
- Phone: (714) 727-8568
- Email: bobhord@sideburn.com
Image Credit:
Bob Hord
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