Robert Bailey biography
Robert Bailey has been an Artist Fellow with the American Society of Aviation Artists for about fifteen years. He was born in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England, and attended Longton College of Art. He emmigrated to North America when he was seventeen, and has worked variously in television (host of a children's show), and newspapers as a writer, photographer and artist. He has been creating aviation combat pictures all his life. His works are at The Pentagon and museums and galleries around the world. One of his paintings made front page headlines in Canadian city newspapers (and television news) in 2007, when it went missing en route to be viewed by the Pope in New York City. Fortunately, it was recovered.
Robert's recent exploits include flying an F-18 Hornet in early 2008 (from the back seat) and a spectacular seven day cruise on the nuclear carrier USS NIMITZ, where he made friends and contacts with many US pilots. From that cruise, Robert will be creating a number of canvases, some of which will be released in print form. The US Navy graciously allowed the artist to remain on the flight deck close to the action during launches and recoveries of dozens of aircraft, while at sea between Hawaii and San Diego.
Robert Bailey paints mainly aviation combat canvases (in oil) but also other subjects such as women, historical figures, steam trains and classic cars. He says it's tough to break out of one genre when you aim for another, as people expect the same kind of subjects in each work. Pencil drawings and oil sketches are also coming online from the artist's studio, and Robert expects these to sell well.
