Rob Erdle
Encyclopedia
Robert Leigh Erdle known as Rob Erdle (17 August 1949 – 30 December 2006) was a watercolorist and educator, and president of various arts associations. He exhibited his watercolors in over 200 shows, 47 of which were one-man exhibitions.
, California
, Erdle received his B.A.
from California State University, Fresno
, where he studied with Judy Chicago
and Wayne Thiebaud
, and his M.F.A. from Bowling Green University in Bowling Green, Ohio. In 1976, he joined the faculty at the University of North Texas
in Denton
, Texas
where he taught undergraduate and graduate classes in painting and drawing for 30 years. He was head of their Watercolor Program from 1976 to 2001.
While teaching at the University of North Texas, he also was an instructor for ten years at the American College of Switzerland, a director of the Chautauqua Institution
Art Gallery, Chautauqua, New York, and director of Pacific Union College
's "Summer School of Art". For thirteen years he also taught at the Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang
, China, which awarded him the honor of Distinguished visiting professor.
For twenty years Erdle participated in Watercolor USA as an exhibitor, curator and judge. He was President of the Watercolor USA Honor Society housed at the Springfield Art Museum, Missouri, 1997-2000. Erdle was a juror for many watercolor exhibitions, including the National Watercolor Society, the Pittsburgh Aqueous Open, the Arizona Aqueous Open and Watercolor USA. He conducted seminars and lectures across the U.S. and in more than a dozen countries.
In 2006, University of North Texas established the Rob Erdle Award Fund, an endowment through private donors that provides financial support for watercolor students. Rob Erdle died on December 30, 2006 in Denton
, Texas
.
Biography
Born in SelmaSelma, California
Selma is a city in Fresno County, California. The population was 23,219 at the 2010 census, up from 19,240 at the 2000 census. Selma is located southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 308 feet .-Geography:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Erdle received his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
, where he studied with Judy Chicago
Judy Chicago
Judy Chicago is a feminist artist, author, and educator.Chicago has been creating artwork since the mid 1960s. Her earliest forays into the art world coincided with the rise of Minimalism, which she eventually abandoned in favor of art she believed to have greater content and relevance...
and Wayne Thiebaud
Wayne Thiebaud
Wayne Thiebaud is an American painter whose most famous works are of cakes, pastries, boots, toilets, toys and lipsticks. He is associated with the Pop art movement because of his interest in objects of mass culture, although his works, executed during the fifties and sixties, slightly predate...
, and his M.F.A. from Bowling Green University in Bowling Green, Ohio. In 1976, he joined the faculty at the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
in Denton
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
where he taught undergraduate and graduate classes in painting and drawing for 30 years. He was head of their Watercolor Program from 1976 to 2001.
While teaching at the University of North Texas, he also was an instructor for ten years at the American College of Switzerland, a director of the Chautauqua Institution
Chautauqua Institution
The Chautauqua Institution is a non-profit adult education center and summer resort located on 750 acres in Chautauqua, New York, 17 miles northwest of Jamestown in the western part of New York State...
Art Gallery, Chautauqua, New York, and director of Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Angwin, California, United States. It is the only four-year college in Napa County, California....
's "Summer School of Art". For thirteen years he also taught at the Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang
Shenyang
Shenyang , or Mukden , is the capital and largest city of Liaoning Province in Northeast China. Currently holding sub-provincial administrative status, the city was once known as Shengjing or Fengtianfu...
, China, which awarded him the honor of Distinguished visiting professor.
For twenty years Erdle participated in Watercolor USA as an exhibitor, curator and judge. He was President of the Watercolor USA Honor Society housed at the Springfield Art Museum, Missouri, 1997-2000. Erdle was a juror for many watercolor exhibitions, including the National Watercolor Society, the Pittsburgh Aqueous Open, the Arizona Aqueous Open and Watercolor USA. He conducted seminars and lectures across the U.S. and in more than a dozen countries.
In 2006, University of North Texas established the Rob Erdle Award Fund, an endowment through private donors that provides financial support for watercolor students. Rob Erdle died on December 30, 2006 in Denton
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Notable exhibits
- 1973 Watercolor USA recognition as outstanding young artist
- 1995 Shanghai State Art Museum in Shanghai, China
- 2006, July 14–September 3, Luminous Watercolors – The Works of Rob Erdle an 18-year Retrospective, Louisiana Art and Science Museum
- 2006, June 8 - June 11, "Recent American Watercolors" Solo Exhibition Niigata International Watercolor Exhibition and Conference Center, Niigata, Japan
Publications
The Watercolors of Rob Erdle A survey book of works from 1972-2000 with 150 color plates, May 2000.Collections
Erdle's works are held in the art collections of, among others:
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Awards
- Regents' Professor, University of North Texas
- President's Council Teaching Award , University of North Texas
- Distinguished Service for International Education Award, University of North Texas.
- Distinguished Alumni Commencement Award, Bowling Green University
- Honorary Award for Life Service, Chautauqua Art Association, Chautauqua Institution.
- Honorary President of the International Watercolor Institute, Niigata, Japan