Shop Prints

Robert’s interest in ocean-going sailing ships started at the age of 11, when the American barque Kaiulani dropped anchor in Port Jackson, at the end of the street where he lived. It kindled a life-long fascination which fuelled his interest in writing and illustrating maritime history.

50 years of study and maritime research.

As a result of result of 50 years study and maritime research, Robert was considered by many to be a world authority on the square-rigged sailing ships, particularly:

The 19th century Tea Clipper Ships also feature in his portfolio.

Whilst Robert specialises in painting tall ships – Schooners, Barques, Barquentines, Ketches, Fishing boats, Trawlers and Sail Training Ships – he often painted Merchant ships, Naval vessels and yachts on commission. Years spent yachting and 3 years in the Royal Australian Navy enable Robert to produce realistic paintings of warships and pleasure craft.

The last Cape Horners

As an administrator of the Australian Cape Horners Association, Robert made contact with the last living sailors to round Cape Horn in a commercial sailing ship. Robert had interviewed hundreds of these seafarers over the years and painted these last tall ships and their global voyages with great authenticity.

St Malo medal

The International Association of Cape Horners (AICH) in St. Malo, France, awarded Robert the St. Malo Medal for his artwork and recording of the history of the Cape Horn Sailing Ship.

Aland Post anniversary Stamp

As most of the last sailing ships come from Mariehamn in the Aland Islands off Finland Robert was honoured to be asked by the Aland Post to paint a picture for a stamp and first day cover, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the last commercial grain race by Pamir and Passat between Port Victoria Australia and Europe. Robert was subsequently voted best stamp of the year.

Books

Over 40 of Robert’s marine paintings illustrate a maritime book he has written, titled Windjammers – the Final Story. In 1996 Robert founded the Australian Society of Marine Artists and has featured outstanding examples of their work in a recent book, Paint Me A Ship, along with a further 30 of his own paintings.

Order of Australia medal

In 2011 Robert was awarded the Order of Australia medal for his ‘services to the Arts through the research, illustration recording of the history of the last commercial sailing ships’.