{"id":6525,"date":"2022-10-20T13:21:48","date_gmt":"2022-10-20T13:21:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=6525"},"modified":"2022-10-20T13:22:35","modified_gmt":"2022-10-20T13:22:35","slug":"rob-shorter-unveiled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2022\/10\/20\/rob-shorter-unveiled\/","title":{"rendered":"Rob Shorter Unveiled!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rob Shorter with Libbey schoolmates Willie Loper, Jim Shorter, Bill Haynes and Tony Smart<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Dawn Scotland<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe Truth Reporter<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Truth Art Gallery held its opening reception for \u201cThe Richness of Pencils,\u201d a solo exhibit featuring new and ageless drawings by artist extraordinaire Robert Shorter. The exhibit features 16 vivid pieces that will be shown at the gallery at 1811 Adams St. from October 6\u2013 November 30.<\/p>\n

Robert E. Shorter was born June 25, 1949 in Prospect, Tennessee. A longtime Toledoan, his family moved to Toledo, Ohio approximately 1958. Artist and illustrator, Robert E. Shorter started to show his gift of talent for drawing at an early age and began his formal art studies at The Toledo Museum of Art. He graduated from Toledo’s Edward Drummond Libbey High School winning numerous state scholastic art awards and then later continued his studies at Bowling Green State University.<\/p>\n

The artist stated that “I’ve always loved to draw and in the beginning I did quite a bit of oil paintings on canvas, but clean up and space were always an issue. I found over time that I was able to draw and achieve the results I wanted without the clean-up problems using color pencils.\u201d<\/p>\n

He now \u201cpaints\u201d with pencils.\u00a0The precision of his craftsmanship matches the effects of paintings or photographs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI used to love painting but pencils just won me over\u2026and I\u2019m not disappointed.,\u201d he stated. \u201cI\u2019ll leave the painting to the painters\u2026I\u2019m a drawer.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Jim (brother) and Rob Shorter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shorter’s current preferred medium for his work is Prismacolor pencils using Strathmore premium drawing paper or illustration board. \u201cThe goal was to make everything look rich -which it does\u2026 I didn’t lose any of the color from switching from painting to drawing. I can do anything I could do with painting,\u201d he expressed.<\/p>\n

Over the years, Shorter has painted and drawn portraits for professional football players, created numerous sports drawings of other various professional athletes and of local high school and college athletes. He is very particular about his craftsmanship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll never sell anything I don\u2019t like\u2026. If I don\u2019t like it, you\u2019ll never see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my passion\u201d, stated Shorter, \u201cI love drawing\u2026 It’s who I am. I would do this whether anyone saw it or not. I would be happy\u2026\u201d he said of the excitement of seeing his drawings. \u201cThey make me happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shorter has been absent from the typical art scene such as art clubs and art shows, but has consistently created numerous drawings over the years through commissioned work. He said that he enjoys working out of a small studio in his home and has never given up his passion for or stopped drawing. Most recently, in 2016, Robert was licensed by The Ohio State University to sell his artwork in retail stores.<\/p>\n

His work has been featured in 20 North Gallery American Gallery, Truth Gallery, Collingwood Arts Center, Paul Sullivan Architects (Art Walk), 2015 Roots of Diversity Art Exhibit, Kent Branch Toledo Public Library – Black History Month Feb 2017, American Frame and Sanger Branch Toledo Public Library.<\/p>\n

The artist’s works will be featured now until Nov 30 at the Truth Art Gallery (1811 Adams St.). The gallery is open 11-6 Wednesday – Saturday. Monday and Tuesday by appointment and admission is free.<\/p>\n