Artists > Rob Penning
My starting point for creating art centers around this thought: “Would I like it hanging on my wall, and does it have a purpose?” I try to make paintings that can be appreciated on different levels so they continue to interest the viewer over time. Often, the starting point is an event, a lyric from a song, a visual allegory, an interesting place, a fleeting thought, or a deeply held belief. I also try to create a slight sense of imbalance in my work by using multiple points of observation and by using rhythmic line movement. Diagonal lines often replace what the viewer would perceive as horizontal in nature. I also like to create details that are universally rather than visually descriptive. This invites the viewer to more easily attach their own meaning to the work.
Robert Penning received his Undergrad and Masters Degree from Calvin College. He was an art teacher for 33 years at Jenison Public Schools, Calvin Christian Schools and Forest Hills Public Schools. He is also the owner of a Plumbing and Irrigation company.
Penning lives in Cascade Township, MI.
Penning’s work has been shown in: the last 8 Grand Rapids Art Prize’s, the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, the Calvin College Art Center, at the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts, at Madison Square Church, at Church of the Servant, at the Upper Room Gallery, at the Maddie and Flynn Gallery and at Design Quest.
Artist Gallery
- The Cannery - acrylic on canvas - 44" H x 52-3/4" W
- Alligator Hill - acrylic on canvas - 52" H x 42-1/2" W
- Restoration - acrylic on canvas - 39" H x 41-1/8" W
- Jn 14:2 + LK. MI - crayola marker on panel - 33-1/8" H x 48" W
- Empire Beach - 39-1/4" H x 44-3/4" W - Also available in print on acid-free paper
- Every Grain of Sand - 50-1/4 H x 43-1/2" W - Also available in print on acid-free paper
- Empire Rains - Sold - 37-1/2" H x 52" W - Also available in print on acid-free paper
- The Gift of Waves - Sold -45-7/8" H x 41_7/8" - Also available in print on acid-free paper
- Port Oneida II - 49-7/8" H x 41-7/8" W - Also available in print on acid-free paper
- Lowell - 36-1/2" H x 46" W - Also available in print on acid-free paper
- Cascade - Also available in print
- Winter in Cascade - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Empire After The Rain - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- D.H. Day Farm in Winter - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Stone Harvester - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Empire Bluff Trail - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Harvesting Sun Port Oneida - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Postcard Day - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Treat Farm - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Empire - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Treasures of Port Oneida II - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- It is Well - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Treasures of Port Oneida - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Bing's Place - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Grand Haven - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Glen Haven - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper
- Be Still - Sold - Available in print on acid-free paper