About the Artist
Robert R. Williams is a portrait artist working primarily in pastel and oil and is known for his realistic likenesses and vibrant, lifelike skin tones. His work reflects a lifelong fascination with drawing the human face—an interest that began in childhood and has guided his artistic focus ever since.
Before devoting himself fully to art, Robert spent nearly 25 years as an electrical engineer with Whirlpool Corporation. Although his professional path initially followed science and engineering, drawing and painting remained a constant presence in his life. After retiring in 2001, he began pursuing his art full time.
While largely self-taught, Robert studied portraiture extensively with George Palmer of Buffalo, New York, and has continued his education through workshops with respected artists including Michael Shane Neal, Kerry Dunn, Harry Ahn, and others.
Over the course of his career, Robert has drawn hundreds of charcoal portraits from life at street fairs and art festivals throughout the Midwest. He has also created many commissioned portraits from his studio at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph, Michigan.
For more than 20 years, Robert has shared his knowledge as an instructor, teaching portrait drawing and painting in charcoal, pastel, and oil. In addition to teaching at the Box Factory, he has led classes and workshops at several regional art centers, including the Buchanan Art Center, Studio Arts Center in South Bend, and the Southern Shores Art Association in Michigan City.
Robert’s work has been exhibited in numerous juried art fairs and galleries across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, including the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, Leeper Park Art Fair, and the Lubeznik Arts Festival. He has also presented solo exhibitions at the Box Factory for the Arts, Lake Michigan College, and other regional galleries. His work has received multiple awards in juried shows, including Best of Show, Best Drawing, and Best Pastel honors.
Robert has also played an important role in the development of the Box Factory for the Arts. As president of the Berrien Artist Guild, he helped lead the effort to acquire and transform the historic Williams Brothers Box Factory into the thriving arts center it is today. In 2008, the front gallery was named in his honor in recognition of his leadership and vision.
Today, Robert’s primary focus remains portraiture in pastel and oil, although he continues to explore other media and has recently begun working in sculpture. He is a member of several regional and national art organizations, including the Portrait Society of America, and remains actively involved in the local arts community.
Robert R. Williams is a portrait artist working primarily in pastel and oil, known for his realistic likenesses and vibrant, lifelike skin tones. His work reflects a lifelong fascination with drawing the human face—an interest that began in childhood and has guided his artistic focus ever since.
Robert has completed hundreds of charcoal portraits drawn from life at street fairs and art festivals throughout the Midwest, along with many commissioned portraits created in his studio at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph, Michigan. For more than 20 years, he has also shared his knowledge as an instructor, teaching portrait drawing and painting in charcoal, pastel, and oil.
For more than 20 years, he has also shared his knowledge as an instructor, teaching portrait drawing and painting in charcoal, pastel, and oil.
In addition to teaching at the Box Factory, Robert has led portrait classes and workshops at several regional art centers, including the Buchanan Art Center, Studio Arts Center in South Bend, and the Southern Shores Art Association in Michigan City. His commitment to both craft and community has been a defining part of his career.
Robert’s work has been exhibited in numerous juried art fairs and galleries across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, including the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, Leeper Park Art Fair, and the Lubeznik Arts Festival. He has also presented solo exhibitions at venues such as the Box Factory for the Arts, Lake Michigan College, and other regional galleries. His work has earned multiple awards in juried shows, including Best of Show, Best Drawing, and Best Pastel honors.
In 2008, Robert was recognized for his leadership and vision when the front gallery of the Box Factory for the Arts was named in his honor. As president of the Berrien Artist Guild, he played a key role in acquiring and transforming the historic Williams Brothers Box Factory into the thriving arts center it is today.
Before dedicating himself fully to art, Robert spent nearly 25 years as an electrical engineer with Whirlpool Corporation. Though his professional path initially followed science and engineering, drawing and painting remained a constant presence in his life. After retiring in 2001, he committed himself fully to the work he had always wanted to pursue.
While largely self-taught, Robert studied portraiture extensively under George Palmer of Buffalo, NY and has continued his education through workshops with respected artists including Michael Shane Neal, Kerry Dunn, Harry Ahn, and others. Today, his primary focus remains portraiture in pastel and oil, though he continues to explore other media and has recently begun working in sculpture.
Robert is a member of several regional and national art organizations, including the Portrait Society of America, and remains actively involved in the local arts community.
Commissions
A commissioned portrait is a lasting way to celebrate the people and moments that matter most. Robert welcomes the opportunity to discuss your vision and create a portrait you'll treasure for generations. If you'd like to commission a portrait, please reach out!