Robert H. Ballard

I am in love with the sky.  The ever changing color, drama, subtlety and light that the sky has to offer.  In my current work I attempt to create a point of meditation by viewing the quiet and peaceful elements the sky provides.  In some cases the drama of the changing sky comes in, however, my most recent paintings concentrate on the opalescent quality of the subtle changes.  In all cases the sky is related to an element of earth that keeps it from becoming too ephemeral.

I am also working on a series of abstract images relating to my love of color as well. These are organic paintings that are not preplanned but evolve as they go forward.

My paintings are built up in layers of color and texture and I start by creating a basic design of the composition.  This progresses organically until the painting is realized and shows itself to be finished. Since I have always worked in series, each painting builds from the last one in technique and color which, for me, allows the idea to evolve.

I studied painting at San Francisco State University, where I received a BA degree and The California College of the Arts in Oakland, CA where I received my MFA.  I spent over 30 years as a Director and Curator of public and private galleries and have exhibited on both coasts and am included in numerous private and public collections.  Since 1997 my wife Joan and I have owned and operated R. H. Ballard Shop & Gallery in Washington, VA.

Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, mountain range skyline with blue and orange sunset overhead

Robert H. Ballard
Blue Ridge Sunset
Acrylic on Panel
24” x 7 1/2”

Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, round mounting with blue and orange sky and white clouds over mountain range

Robert H. Ballard
Round Sky
Acrylic on panel
18” round

Robert Ballard
Window: Light
Acrylic on Handmade Paper
9 1/2” x 7 1/2”

$250. Framed

Robert H. Ballard
Untitled: Blue #1
Acrylic on French book page
6 ½” x 4 ½”

Robert H. Ballard
Untitled: Blue #2
Acrylic on French book page
6 ½” x 4 ½”

Blue-Pyramid-R-H-Ballard

Robert Ballard
Cathedral
Acrylic on Handmade Paper
9 1/2” x 7 1/2”

$250. Framed

Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, abstract blue, green, yellow

Robert Ballard
Blue #1
Acrylic on Handmade Paper
10” x 8”

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Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, abstract blue, yellow, pink, green

Robert Ballard
Blue #2
Acrylic on Handmade Paper
10” x 8”

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Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, abstract yellow, orange, blue, green, grey

Robert Ballard
Green #1
Acrylic on Handmade Paper
10” x 8”

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Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, mountains in verdant shade with green field and cloudy grey sky

Robert H. Ballard
Mountains and Clouds
Acrylic on French Book Page of “Repli” from 1947
6 1/2” x 4 1/2”

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Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, blue-grey sky with mountains at bottom, printed words peek through background

Robert H. Ballard
Light, Clouds, and Fields (Study)
Acrylic on French Book Page of “Repli” from 1947
6 1/2” x 4 1/2”

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Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, mountain range in orange and green hue with blue and white sky. Printed words barely visible in background.

Robert H. Ballard
Mountain and Sky Study
Acrylic on a French book page from ”Repli”, 1947
6 1/2” x 4 1/2”

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Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, blue sky, green trees towards bottom left, printed words peek through background

Robert H. Ballard
Cloud Study With Trees
Acrylic on a French book page of”Repli” from 1947
6 1/2” x 4 1/2”

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Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, grey skyscape with mountain range at the bottom, Printed words are visible under the background.

Robert H. Ballard
Nocturne Landscape Study
Acrylic on a French book page of”Repli” from 1947
6 1/2” x 4 1/2”

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Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting,  puffy white clouds over a mountain range with printed words in background

Robert H. Ballard
Cloud Study #2
Acrylic on a French book page of”Repli” from 1947
6 1/2” x 4 1/2”

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Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting,  a mountain range in orange under a blue and white skyscape

Robert H. Ballard
Red Hills
Acrylic on paper
21” x 26

Robert H. Ballard
Six Skies
Acrylic on panel
5 7/8" x 47 3/4"

Robert H. Ballard
Low Clouds at Sunset II
Acrylic on canvas
20" x 16"

Robert H. Ballard
Cloud Shadow
Acrylic on canvas
18" x 14"

Robert H. Ballard
Winter Woods II
Acrylic on panel

Robert Ballard, Acrylic painting, a mountain range with a cloudy sky in the background

Robert H. Ballard
Cloud Cover
Acrylic on panel
10" x 23"

Robert H. Ballard
Three Trees (Homage to Rembrandt)
24" x 30"
Acrylic on panel

”These trees are near where I live and I pass them everyday, and everyday I think of Rembrandt's famous etching "The Three Trees". That said, this painting has little resemblance to the etching, but was inspired by the memory of it.”

Robert H. Ballard
Center Stage
Acrylic on panel
24" x 24"