Robert G. Barinowski

Bob Barinowski was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1934 and is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute. It was there that his interest in sculpture developed. A year`s study of the History of Art under sculptor Wm. Marks Simpson, Jr. (VMI Class of `24) ignited his interest in the classics, and in his spare time, he began to explore his talents. While a cadet at VMI, he produced three works: a very stylized relief of a Madonna, a Rodanesque piece hecalled "Lovers," and a one third life-size crucifixion group which was never completely finished.

He graduated from VMI in 1956, and entered the United States Air Force. Thereafter his talents lay fallow for several decades, although he did a number of pen and ink sketches of scenes inspired from places he visited while serving in Germany.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1979, he was hired by Hughes Aircraft Company in Fullerton California, and traveled extensively in Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, with much of that time spent in Egypt. From time to time, he dabbled in sculpture and the graphic arts as a hobby, but nothing serious came of it. After retiring (again!) he researched and wrote illustrated histories of his maternal and paternal ancestry. Again he traveled to Poland and Germany to research archives there in search of his family records. That task completed, he busied himself with small projects until 2000 when he attended his first sculpture workshop conducted by Martine Vaugel in Los Angeles.

That was followed by a second workshop in the Loveland Academy of Fine Arts in Loveland, Co, conducted by sculptor Paul Lucchesi. By now, he was "hooked." The 'hook` sank deeper with another workshop with Lucchesi in Italy at a place near Lucca called La Capella. That was in the summer of 2001.

Later that year, after the disastrous "9/11" he began construction of his studio which he completed in June 2002. In the meantime, he incorporated himself as "Baron`s Studio LLC." He continued an aggressive pursuit of workshops to hone his craft including two more classes with Lucchesi, and several with sculptor Eugene Daub who has been a major influence on his work.

Bob`s great interest stems from his exposure to the classical traditions, and most especially the art of the Italian Renaissance – notably the works of Michaelangelo, Donatello and sculpture of the Baroque period, particularly that of Bernini. Two of Bob`s works include the "Oracle" and "Isaiah" which are sculptural interpretations of two of Michelangelo famous frescos in the Sistine Chapel.

Bob has also studied under such prominent sculptors as Tuck Langland and Anthonony Antonios through workshops in Scottsdale Artists School in Scottsdale, Arizon and the Masters Classes at Brookgreen Gardens, SC.

Mr. Barinowski is a member of the National Sculpture Society (NSS) and the American Medallic Sculpture Association (AMSA) He is exhibited nationally and internationally. His works consist of portraiture, figurative and relief sculpture in terra cotta and hot and cold cast bronze.