Hard work brings inspiration for semi-impressionist artist and professor Rob Adamson

Mt. Olympus at Dusk by Artist Rob Adamson

A blob of paint drips down the side of the snowy mountain. Scrape, scrape, scrape through the paint with a pallet knife and the other side of the peak becomes starker and steeper. Maybe a layer of glaze in between and the dusky sunlight casts a sheen on dirt, rocks and trees. From his studio in Millcreek, which looks out to the mountains, artist and Salt Lake Community College professor Rob Adamson is into the process of creating not just the look but the feel of Mount Olympus.

Rob’s piece in this year’s SLCC President’s Art Show, Mount Olympus at Dusk, showcases his semi-impressionist style. Viewers who take a close and careful look can see the “tracks” purposefully left by the artist. “I like to show the process,” says Rob. Step back from the canvas and the image comes into view. Rob calls this “two-fold-ness” symmetry between imagery and abstractness. “It’s the best of both worlds,” he says.

Artist Rob Adamson receives Community Award from SLCC President Deneece Huftalin for his painting Mt. Olympus at Dusk.

Currently, on sabbatical, Rob is studying with the Hein Atelier of Traditional Art Apprenticeship Program. This life-long learner has a BFA with an emphasis in painting and drawing from the University of Utah and an MFA in painting and drawing from Brigham Young University. Rob is a member of the Plein-air Painters of Utah, the Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society.

Rob’s upbringing, fascination with architecture and relationship with nature can be seen in his art. “I paint what’s around me,” says Rob. Growing up in the Salt Lake Valley, crowded with people, buildings and surrounded by mountains, Rob’s subject matters range from portraits to cityscapes and landscapes. This plethora of talent serves Rob well as an instructor at Salt Lake Community College, where he usually teaches foundation and advanced classes in drawing, painting and design.

One of his favorite classes to teach is a Human Relations class for Visual Arts and Design certificate students. Rob teaches the soft life skills students need to be successful in the workplace, like hard work, effective communication and personal interaction. If there is one lesson he wishes every artist would learn, it’s that “hard work brings inspiration, not the other way around.”

“hard work brings inspiration, not the other way around.”

There is no question that Rob lives what he teaches. In addition to selling artwork professionally and teaching, Rob enjoys hiking and drumming in the Adamson Family Band. His artwork can be found at the 15th Street and Southam Galleries in Salt Lake City. You can follow Rob online on his blog or Instagram.