Robert Addison worked at Ficho & Corley art studio in the John Hancock Building (where he also lived) in the 1970's and 1980's. Although he was well-known for his nostalgic paintings of serene neighborhoods, along with his carousel series, he also provided art for the advertising world.

Addison was a master at lighting, creating dramatic shadows in his work. He always said he was best at landscapes, but he provided beautiful portraits of famous Chicagoans for a "celebrity" wall for a Wendy's opening in the Chicago loop in the early 1980's, along with miniature sculptures for a lighter series for Vasilia, Ltd in Chicago. These are the only sculptures he ever did, and they were/are magnificent. Even he was pleased with them.

The Merrill Chase Galleries in Chicago were the exclusive handlers of all of Bob's fine artwork, selling his originals for up to $45,000 each. Unfortunately they have gone out of business.

On a personal note, Bob was a warm, friendly and humble man.

Submitted May 2003 by Julia Banks Marino, who worked with the artist in the late 1970's and early 1980's.

Robert Addison
(American, 1924 Boise, ID - 1988 Chicago, IL)
Painted 14 Mountie subjects between 1953-1962.

Robert Addison was an illustrator who worked in commercial art studios, probably first in Boise, Idaho, and then in Chicago. It was in Chicago that he would have come to the attention of Frank Cash, owner and sole employee of the the public relations and advertising firm that was responsible for developing the Mountie advertising campaign for the Northwest Paper Company.