In 1985 Robert Burridge turned his passion into his second career. He retired from industrial design and became a full time, contemporary fine art painter, moved to California’s Central Coast and prepared to paint the rest of his life. Today, besides painting, he is an invited juror for international art shows, a college and national painting workshop instructor, and teachs a fine art mentor program in central France. Recently selected as the Honorary President of the International Society of Acrylic Painters, he holds a signature membership with them and with the Philadelphia Watercolor Society.
His original paintings can be seen in six international galleries, on Starbucks Coffee mugs, Pearl Vodka bottles, eight tapestries and on fine art edition prints in upscale retail stores and cruise ships.
His work has received lifetime honors, including The Franklin Mint Award and recently the Philadelphia Watercolor Society’s prestigious Crest Medal Award for achievement in the arts previously awarded to Pablo Picasso, John Singer Sargent and Georgia O’Keeffe.
It is said, “Your heart doesn’t know how old you are.” For me, it’s true. Painting everyday in my small studio overlooking the Pacific Ocean, I feel like a kid again playing with color, design, paint and canvas, which reminds me of the saying, “It’s never too late to be what you always should have been.” Follow your bliss!
