Robert Rodriguez: Fine Artist & Illustrator - Epi. 228, Host Dr. Mark Sublette

Very interesting podcast today with an illustrator who's done illustration for 50+ years, Robert Rodriguez. He was dropping off a piece for our upcoming exhibition: Rodeo de Tucson (opening Feb. 3) and we figured why not record a podcast while he's here.

Those that illustrate are such unique people. They really are. You know, they're driven. They have to be driven because they're on deadlines all the time. The individuals that I have worked with either in my gallery or just interviewed - they all seem to have this desire at some point to go, okay, done that, made a good living, but I really want to be a fine artist.

And that's the same case with Robert. Even though he considered starting to do Western and native artwork back in the 1980s, it really wasn't until about 2 to 3 years ago that he flipped the switch and said "Nope, I'm done with illustration. I've done that. I want to do my own thing."  And so this is the story of how he got there.

Robert's done some interesting things. He's done a couple of Super Bowl posters, like 19 postage stamps, the poster for City Slickers 2. You know, all these interesting projects over his lifetime. But I think he's really having the most fun of his life right now. I met him in the Russell Museum this summer when he was doing a show there and I was like, wow, this guy can really paint and I don't even know who he is.

Now he's going to be showing one of his pieces in an upcoming show that I have (link below) for the rodeo show. So just a really unique guy. and he has a long history of making art, living art, and he's an important artist. Robert Rodriguez.

https://www.medicinemangallery.com/medicine-man-gallery-antique-native-american-western-art-collections/february-2023-rodeo-show/robert-rodriquez-ride-em-cowgirl-plv91884a-0123-001.html