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
“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
"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
"Rosea Sonitus" has its obvious origins in DaVinci, but there's also an homage to Holbein hidden in there (check out the anamorphic mushroom cloud at the bottom). The painting is oil on panel, 36 x 24 inches.
#art #painting #oilpainting #representationalrealism
#art #painting #oilpainting #representationalrealism
January 25, 2025 at 12:21 AM
"Rosea Sonitus" has its obvious origins in DaVinci, but there's also an homage to Holbein hidden in there (check out the anamorphic mushroom cloud at the bottom). The painting is oil on panel, 36 x 24 inches.
#art #painting #oilpainting #representationalrealism
#art #painting #oilpainting #representationalrealism