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Newly discovered and amazing outsider talent, Robert Simon, has landed at TAG gallery! We knew immediately when we saw his drawings that he was a rare find. Teaching social studies for 32 years in the public school system in Oak Ridge, TN certainly warrants an outlet for one's sanity. His outlet is creating beautiful, abstract pieces filled with brilliant colors and themes that constantly change no matter how long one looks at them.
Starting at age 13, Simon began obsessively drawing boxes and triangles in the margins of his notebook paper, then shading them in. Forty years later he is still drawing, only the figures have and continue to radically change. They are mirrors of his soul, expressing stream of consciousness thoughts that he cannot articulate in words to others, or even to himself. Refreshingly original and raw, each piece is unique but has his imprint on it. He has a style all his own that appeals to a wide audience.
"Drawing is and has been an incredible escape for me throughout most of my life. I have to do it or my world feels out of balance. When I'm drawing, my heart rate slows down and my mind is focused but not fixated on any specific thought. The thoughts come and go, and are free-flowing. I've never drawn the same thing twice. I can't. If I tried to, which I have with things I really like, they are never the same.
I begin with a single shape and then add shapes to it. Sometimes the figure takes the form of an animate object- an animal, person, bird, etc. Sometimes it just remains a pleasing shape or pattern. Birds appear frequently in my drawings; I think this is because I have often thought about how unusual these creatures are. They are grounded, and yet when the need arises, they can become airborne and fly above it all. This must surely give them a unique perspective of life here on earth. Perhaps that's the secret to their longevity as a species.
People frequently ask what certain drawings mean. The truth is like life it sometimes changes from one moment to the next because one's mind is never in the exact same place twice. They are what you think they are. Open your heart and your mind's eye, listen to what they tell you. Both reveal something about you and me."
A former student and 22 year admirer of Simon's art recently coerced him into letting her take four of his drawings to Burlington, VT. The events that followed have been extraordinary.
Answering a "call to artists" in the newspaper, Simon's drawings were quickly accepted by curator, Sharon Webster at the Rose St. Gallery for their fall "Inner-Out" show. His work sold immediately on opening night to Jayne Weber, a trained artist from NY who loved his work. "I look at these and want to throw all my formal training away! It's honest. He's not afraid. It's someone going at it for their soul. I'm going to buy it now while I can afford it."
Jayne's knowledge about the "outsider" art world was a new discovery for Simon. Never considering himself an artist and having no training, these terms were new to him. He was excited to find out that there was a whole group of people with whom he could relate.
In the past several years Robert Simon has shown in many places selling lots of pieces. Since Rose Street Gallery he has shown with TAG, The Webb Gallery in Texas twice, Atlanta's Folk Fest, Chicago's Outsider Art Fair, and with Henry Boxer Gallery in London. It's a huge leap from having his drawings just on his walls and under the beds!
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 |  | | Mistique's Vision
Robert Simon
Ink on Archival Illustration Board 20" x 15" $600 Unframed Larger Image | The Battle
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board
30" x 40" $1,500 Framed Larger Image |
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 |  | | The Butterfly Lady
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Paper SOLD | The Wheel
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Illustration Board 20" x 30" SOLD
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 |  | | Kalidescope
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Illustration Board 15" x 20" $750 Framed Larger Image
| Here and Beyond Reality
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Illustration Board 15" x 20" $750 Framed Larger Image
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 |  | | The Web
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Illustration Board 15" x 20" $750 Framed Larger Image | Transcending Demons Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Paper 20" x 30" SOLD |
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 |  | | The Broken Egg
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Illustration Board 12" x 12" $300 Unframed Larger Image | The Eternal Life
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Illustration Board 20" x 30" SOLD |
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 |  | | Ascending -Descending
Robert Simon
15" x 20"
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board
$400 Unframed To View Larger Image: Click Here | Bird Power
Robert Simon
15" x 20"
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board
$400 Unframed To View Larger Image: Click Here |
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 |  | | Dr. Seuss' Yin-Yang Circus
Robert Simon
15" x 20"
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board
$400 Unframed To View Larger Image: Click Here | Exalted Color
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board
Image Size: 30” x 20”
Frame Size: 36 1/2” x 26 1/2”
$800, Framed To View Larger Image: Click Here |
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 |  | | Labyrinth of The Mind
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board
Image Size: 15” x 20”
Frame Size: 21 1/2” x 26 1/2”
$500, Framed To View Larger Image: Click Here | Peering In On The Molecular Level
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board
15” x 20”
$400 To View Larger Image: Click Here |
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 |  | | Relapse
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board
Image Size: 15” x 20”
Frame Size: 21 1/2” x 26 1/2”
$400, Framed To View Larger Image: Click Here | The Seahorse
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board
Image Size: 15” x 20”
Frame Size: 21 1/2” x 26 1/2”
$400 To View Larger Image: Click Here |
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 |  | | Bird of Peace
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board 20" x 30" SOLD
| When Cows Can Fly
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board
Image Size: 30” x 20”
Frame Size: 36 1/2” x 26 1/2”
$800, Framed To View Larger Image: Click Here |
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 |  | | The Mask Robert Simon Ink and Acrylic on Archival Board 15” x 20” $400 Unframed To View Larger Image: Click Here | Into The Sun Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Paper 30" x 20" SOLD |
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 |  | | It Isn’t A Bowl of Fruit
Robert Simon, 2003
Ink on Paper
17" x 14"
$250 unframed View Larger Image: Click Here | Kindred Spirits Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Paper 20" x 15" SOLD
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 |  | | Descending Dragon Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Archival Illustration Board 15" x 20" $750 Framed Larger Image | Domination and Acquiescense Robert Simon Larger Image |
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 |  | | Unfinished Business
Robert Simon
Ink and Acrylic on Paper SOLD | Untitled (Ram) Robert Simon 24” x 18”, Framed Ink on Paper SOLD |
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 |  | | Emptiness Returns
Robert Simon, 2003
Ink on Paper
17" x 14"
$250 unframed View Larger Image: Click Here | Flight
Robert Simon, 2003
Ink on Paper
17" x 14"
$250 unframed View Larger Image: Click Here |
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To View Early Drawings by Robert Simon: Click Here
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