Robert Schlegel's paintings, drawings, collages, and prints reflect the moody environment of the Northwest landscape and countryside. His warm palette of deep oranges and reds is balanced with rich earth tones in regionalist compositions that reflect rural life, small towns and natural forms like valleys, hills, birds and farmlands. He was particularly drawn to the interaction of shape and contrasting line found in places where man-made structures juxtaposed the landscape. In this, Schlegel’s artwork is defined by expressive interpretations of these familiar subjects that capture the immediacy of light and provide a sense of place. 

Contemporary realists, like William Beckman, Robert Bechtle, Wolf Kahn and Russell Chatham, were inspirations to Schlegel’s style. He worked both in the studio and Plein Air to create images that possess a tension residing between representational and abstract. In his most recent works, Schlegel turned to figurative subjects as an expression of our shared humanity.

Robert Schlegel became a full-time painter after receiving a Masters in Education from Portland State University and completing 32 years in the education field.   During his lifetime, the artist received abundant recognition through various juried competitions and regional gallery exhibitions, including a purchase award by Oregon State University and awards for the west coast annual exhibit Expressions West at the Coos Art Museum in Coos Bay, OR. His work is part of the Portland Visual Chronicle collection as well as many prominent University Library collections around the country.

The beloved Oregon artist made a big impact on the regional art community and is well missed by all of his collectors, friends and art appreciators.