Robert White
July, 2024
I grew up and lived in NY/NJ until moving to Sun City Sleepaway Camp 8 years ago. I’ve always been interested and active in sports and the arts. I enjoyed visiting MOMA as much as seeing the Celtics and Red Sox play. Professionally, I was a special educator and was a co-founder and director of a private, nonprofit school for disabled students. I retired in 2016 after 39 years. Although I dabbled in painting now and then, I had no formal art education until I took some classes in our wonderful AAA club.
My paintings in this display speak to the costs and necessities of defending democracies, appreciating the beauty of land and building scapes and paying homage to my role models: my parents, Maurie and Harriet White, and one of greatest basketball players and outspoken champions for Civil Rights activism, Bill Russell.
One door closes and another opens...such is life. Covid slammed the door shut for everyone! I chose to make the most of being a shut-in and taught myself how to paint subjects I thought impossible: air planes and portraits! I’ve always been fascinated with history and airplanes, so I was thrilled when I was able to paint some of my favorite planes well. As for portraits, I began with two photos of my parents on the eve of their wedding day. I’m pretty sure I was the twinkle you see in their eyes!
Finally, a loving thanks goes to my wife of 50 years, Helene, my favorite critic: She sees what I can’t and tells me the truth.
