Robert Swain, Topeka, KS The road to a career in fine art took a few detours for Bob Swain. His love of drawing and painting began as a child. “I was that kid in third grade who always got reprimanded for making the cool notebook doodles that distracted the other kids.” He discovered his niche when he went from doodling to real art classes in high school. His formal art education was furthered at the University of Kansas where he excelled, earning numerous scholarships and awards including the prestigious MacMorris Art Scholarship for the top undergraduate student in visual fine arts. Mr. Swain graduated with honors from KU in 1986 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting. Soon after graduation his career took another turn. To put bread on the table and support a family, Mr. Swain went to work for the technology and banking industries for many years. Recently, circumstances changed the path of his life once again, allowing him to return full time to his first love--painting. Mr. Swain’s influences are many and varied. He lists Wayne Thiebaud, Richard Estes, Gustav Klimt and Edgar Degas among those artists who inspired him. His work falls into the category of realism, but it is realism with a personality, never boring and often mysterious. Today, Mr. Swain is focusing much of his energy on portrait painting. Whether utilizing traditional or contemporary poses, his goal is to capture both the likeness and personality of the subject. When not working on commissioned pieces, he can be found working on various other projects that spring forth from his imagination. ROBERT SWAIN, Topeka, KS, Artist Robert Swain graduated with honors from the University of Kansas in 1986 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting. He earned numerous scholarships and awards including the prestigious MacMorris Art Scholarship for the top undergraduate student in visual fine arts.. He lists Wayne Thiebaud, Richard Estes, Gustav Klimt and Edgar Degas among those artists who inspired him. His work falls into the category of realism, but it is realism with a personality, Today, Mr. Swain is focusing much of his energy on portrait painting. Whether utilizing traditional or contemporary poses, his goal is to capture both the likeness and personality of the subject. His art is shown at Framewoods Gallery, 3074 SW 29th St, Topeka, Ks 66614 and can be seen on the gallery's web site www.framewoods.com