Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob Stangroom

Hi Rob, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

A close friend died unexpectedly in 2012. The introspection – searching for answers to my feelings – started a cascade of choices and decisions that led to where I am today as a person and artist.

I am not new, per se, to artwork and being creative – but my journey has been unconventional. My mom was very artistic – though I never saw her produce art, in the sense that a professional or even hobby artist might. It wasn’t until her passing away that I even learned she had worked summers at The Old Mill Studio in northern New York established and run by Wayman Adams, known for his portraiture of presidents and others. She worked there so she could sit in on classes and studio events.

From early on, she encouraged my creative endeavors – often giving me suggestions to do something differently to get better results. I was always doing some sort of arts and crafts. In high school, working with a camera became a full-blown passion and I ultimately started college in fine arts for photography.

With so many avenues to explore in college, however, I eventually graduated as a marine biologist. From then on, my working life has been a quilt of different jobs and businesses. The foundational elements of being an artist – for me – are drawing and painting, and I was able to incorporate these skills into everything I’ve worked at.

With my friend’s passing, I really began to question what I wanted my life to look like. I had been drawn increasingly to making art: participating in online illustration challenges, illustrating a children’s book my daughter had written and receiving a certificate in children’s illustration from a UK-based art school. In 2016 we moved to Wisconsin, I turned 60, and I decided it was time to give making art as a career a chance. Most of my work leans to the abstract, with a bit of representational thrown in. What inspires me can be hard to pin down: I’m as moved by the landscapes around me as I am by hearing Herbie Hancock play jazz! There have been challenges in the past 8 years, of course, but I’ve not regretted the decision and love that I can share what I do with others.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Not exactly! Finding the time to pursue a passion when I was juggling jobs and a growing family was tough. It helped that many of the things I did to make a living called for a decent amount of creative output. Since making the decision to be an artist full time, the most impactful event has been the advent of COVID.

For a while, being at home – having the time to devote to art-making and the things I had to do to promote myself – was a blessing. A host of online venues – many of them tied to brick and mortar galleries/museums – became an important outlet for work. Social media platforms – particularly Instagram for me – played a huge role in developing a community of fellow artists and clients. As the pandemic wore on, however, the venues became oversaturated with creatives and the social platforms began making dramatic shifts in the focus of their algorithms.

By 2022, I was burned out by it all. I took a sabbatical. I’ve spent the past couple years building kayak and canoe paddles and, most recently, building engines for the iconic Indian Motorcycles. These outlets gave me the break I needed financially and emotionally. They also allowed me the time to spend exploring new materials, methods and artists that I wanted to know better – like Basquiat, Rex Ray, Julie Mehretu and Jasper Johns.

Early this year I began the return to my studio. Some of those materials and methods I’ve been exploring are in play now in experimental work. I’m working toward a new body of abstract landscape works to be released later this summer and I’m very excited by the prospect!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I’m a wanderer by nature. I wander by vocations: I’ve been a marine biologist, commercial diver, boat builder, cabinet/furniture-maker, software developer, educator, landscape designer – to name a few. I wander by foot: I’ve hiked extensively since I was a kid – in multiple countries, from deserts to mountains; I am a trail-runner, though no longer competitively. I wander by boats – sailing and paddle.

I believe in the saying, “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well”. I’ve applied this to everything I’ve ever done. I’ve a reputation for my willingness to step through doors of opportunity when they present themselves. I’m most proud, though, of my approach with people: I’m an encourager and I believe in being positive.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?

For those just starting out, don’t get trapped in your own head. Get out there and do things. Don’t be afraid to ask if there’s an opportunity (whether it’s a job position or a sale). Your head will fear possible rejection, but in reality it’s quite often acceptance. Besides, if it’s a rejection: do you realize how many fish are in the sea, so to speak?! Move on and find more fish!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.robstangroom.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robstangroomart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robstangroomart

Image Credits

Rob Stangroom