Biography

For Robert Flinkman artwork has always provided the creative means for self-expression. Whether it be while painting or etching a landscape on site, or working on a still-life or social commentary using pastels or carving on a linoleum block, the creative medium has always been a vehicle for personal self-expression. Robert holds a BA in Art History and Art from Syracuse University. Since graduating from Syracuse, he moved to New York City, studying figure drawing with Gregory d'Alessio and printwork with Michael Ponce de Leon and Michael Pelletieri at the Art Students League. Robert has had a number of shows in Soho. After sixteen years in New York,he decided to pack up and head West to New Mexico. The move brought much change to his work, highlighting his palette and the light here creating numerous and subtle and distinct differences reflected in his use of color, light and shade. His work at the UNM School of Law provided him with a unique venue and opportunity to not only display his work, but also to help create the on-going Law School Art Gallery in the Forum, which has garnered much recognition. Robert was interviewed for the 3/25/2014 Albuquerque Journal article, Art at UNM Law School, written by Mike Bush. The article talks about the Art Committee at the Law School, its history, interviewing members of the Committee and discussing current shows. Prof.Sherri Burr also interviewed Robert along with Dan Noyes on her talk show, Arts Talk, from 2014. There Robert discussed his background, his methods of creativity and also showed two of his landscape prints. Robert also studied at the Remarque/New Grounds Print Workshop, studying etching and aquatint. He has shown his work in galleries here in Albuquerque, as well as at the Albuquerque City Hall at Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins' office, featuring the District 3 Art Show. Eight of his landscapes, both in print and pen and ink, have been accepted by the Albuquerque Museum for their permanent collection. The Center for Southwest Research at the Univ. of New Mexico has accepted four pen and ink drawings of Albuquerque alleyways for their archives.

Now in retirement, Robert uses his time to pursue his creativity in the various mediums, but also to organize his artwork and journal, giving almost 45 years of creativity both written and pictorial the chance to be shared on his website.