Robert Murrell

Phone: (613) 837-7186

Robert’s art education has been self-directed. He credits his knowledge of art to many sources. He has studied countless books and periodicals on technique, theory and history as well as taking workshops and courses of specific interest to him. He has had the opportunity to examine, first hand, the original works of the great masters at museums and galleries around the world. Most significantly, he has benefited through experimentation, through sharing experiences and through discussing works and techniques with his artist friends.

In his early years Robert had a passion for drawing, but never harboured serious thoughts of pursuing a career in art, choosing instead a path that would offer greater financial security to himself and his family. However, in 1994 his interest in art was rekindled while visiting Paris where he had the opportunity to view some of the finest works of the masters in the city’s many celebrated galleries. Robert recently retired from his career as an economist and is now devoted full time to his artistic pursuits.

Robert paints mostly with oils, acrylics and watercolours. His current focus is plein air landscape painting, but he also enjoys doing still life and portraits. He is becoming increasingly interested in the abstracted landscape. His works are inspired by the many sites, sounds and people he has encountered in his extensive travels and by the tranquility, peace and oneness with nature that he experiences in his solo kayak outings. Robert credits painting with providing him with an enhanced capacity to see and interpret the world in new and various ways.

In the past few years Robert has increasingly left the comforts of the studio to paint outdoors with artist friends in the Ottawa region, as well as with the Plein Air Ensemble, a large group of artists who get together twice a year to paint in Quebec locations including Charlevoix, the Eastern Townships , and the Laurentians .

Robert is a member of the East Central Ontario Art Association, Arteast, and the Ottawa Art Association. His works can be viewed in the Galerie Old Chelsea, the Ottawa Little Theatre, the Gloucester and Orleans Libraries, and Queenswood Villa.