Rob Bridges

I grew up in East Los Angeles, where schools lacked proper funding. To get me to read my photocopied primers, my father (an artist himself), drew pictures in the handouts. His attempts missed the mark, and I became more fascinated with the drawings than learning to read. I began honing my craft, making drawings on the inside of my father’s books (much to his chagrin…). Rather than scribble on books, these days my work is done on paper and illustration board. I work mainly in gouache and sometimes watercolor. My art is a throwback to my youth, fairytales tinged with a bit of the odd and mysterious. Someone once wrote that my work has a “timeless feel with a dark and whimsical edge”. I like that.

I currently live with my wife and daughter in beautiful Lexington, Kentucky. Other than illustration I like to spend my time running. I have a running stroller that my daughter loves. We get to spend time together as well as getting a bit of exercise, and you can’t beat that. I am hoping to eventually break into the young adult and children’s book illustrating. (Note to publishers and agents: …I’m available.) I hope people can relate to my work and enjoy it as much as I enjoy creating my art. Feel free to drop me a line and say hi.



1. Trip to the Moon (working title) – Gouache on board
This is a panel from a children’s book I am currently working on. My plans are to self publish, sell them through my shop and use as a portfolio piece to send to publishing houses.



2. The Black Rabbit of Inle – Gouache (opaque watercolor), on paper w/ digital enhancements
I had just finished reading the novel Watership Down by Richard Adams. The idea of a rabbit warren having a society and culture as well as spiritual beliefs intrigued me. This would be the representation of the grim reaper in their folklore.



3. Pieter Rabbit and the Mechanical Unlimited – Watercolor on board with digital enhancements
My take on an alternate reality version of the classic Beatrix Potter character, (misspelling intended). I like the idea of the character involved in a pulp comic book adventure series. Rendered in a slightly retro, nostalgic tone.



4. The Napoleon of the Small Things - Goache on board
I sometimes wonder where my things go. Car keys, my favorite pair of socks, the right sock gone missing after placed within my dresser drawers. I now know that it is not so much faulty memory. I realized this the other night as I sat at my drawing table and noticed from the corner of my eye, a small being scampering across my floor with a key from my pants pocket…



5. Thigpen and The Feline - Gouache on watercolor paper
An interesting tale if I ever do come up with one for this piece.



6. A Fox through a Dark Wood – Gouache on watercolor paper




7. The Winter March – Gouache on paper
A concept illustration for a book featuring a young monster named Gregor.



8. Summer and the Red Banjo – Gouache on paper
This piece was an experiment in a slightly looser, fluid graphical style.



9. A Secret Journey - Watercolor on paper with digital enhancements
A journey through the swamplands. This was another piece that was very open ended in its narrative. It was also an experiment in using a color palette not normal to my repertoire.



10. The Waterhorse – Gouache on paper
I have quite an interesting “backstory” on this picture. It is listed under this image on my website if you care to take a look.

Thank you for looking.

Contact: Robert@robbridges.com

Website: Rob Bridges

Online Shop: Robbridges (prints and original paintings, commissions accepted)