Rob Akey's Montana roots run deep. Glacier National Park and Montana's prairies are more than landscape subject matter to Rob; they are in his blood. His use of lighting reveals that heritage, as does his training in Tonalist traditions and studies of American Impressionism.

Rob is very active in creating and selling his paintings in Montana. In 2010, he was awarded the commission from Montana's Department of Natural Resources to paint a 96" x 72" oil, which he titled Lifestreams.

Rob is dedicated to the positive role of public art in the United States; he has received both public art juried commissions and is proud of Montana's leadership role in the public arts arena as evidenced by its Percent-For-Art program.

Rob graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (Design and Illustration) and served as designer and Creative Directive for Tonka Toys in Minnesota for nine years, but found his joy when he returned to paint his native Montana. He is a fourth year adjunct professor at Flathead Valley Community College.

Rob said, " As a young artist trying to find my way, I had great mentor teachers. I want to pass along that helping tradition." He participates frequently in invitational and juried plein air events, fundraisers, shows and auctions throughout Montana.

Rob's one-man show, "Observation, Memory and Invention: Western Art and Imagery Reconsidered" was held at the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell, Montana, September 6 -November 3, 2012.

Written and submitted by the artist, March 2014