Artist Biography

For as long as he can remember, Bob has enjoyed the beauty of nature – not only the grand scenes but, maybe even more, the intimate and small details. Bob’s mother was always quick to point out a stunning sunset or the subtle beauty of the falling snow. She would stop what she was doing and take time to soak in the wonder and beauty of it all. Young Robert learned to join the reverent observations and stated learning how to really “see”.

He and his friends would always look for opportunities to hike into the mountains near their homes in Tooele, Utah, either for a picnic or just to explore. Bob relates, “I remember wanting a canteen for some of the extended expeditions so when I found a flat liquor bottle, with its cap, I asked my mother to sew a carrier with a belt loop so I could carry my new water container. I was about 6 or 7 years old at the time.” It wasn’t just the beauty that drew his attention, but he was also curious and captivated with the science behind it all. Throughout Bob’s early life, even through high school, he was certain he was going to be a scientist of some kind.

It wasn’t until he was a sophomore at Utah State University, when he became disillusioned with the curriculum of physics and calculus and couldn’t find the enthusiasm or interest to motivate his concentration. Bob tells of a turning point in his life, “It was during this time of discouragement that I enrolled in an Art Appreciation class as a group-filler. It was taught by Twain Tippets, who was the head of the art department at that time. Most of the curriculum was devoted to some art history along with applications of art and design in our everyday lives. We did, however, have one art assignment to create a piece of artwork after the style of Mondrian. As we presented our finished projects in class, Dr. Tippets asked if I was an art major. When I said, “No.”, he emphatically stated, “You should be. Come to my office after class.” In that visit he said I had a phenomenal natural sense of design and should consider changing my major. The rest is history.”

As soon as he started studying the arts, Bob says he felt like he had come home. He was enthused at the class assignments, and life itself, and a whole new world opened up to him. And, he hasn’t looked back.

Bob went on to earn his BFA with a joint major in Photography and Advertising Design and then on to a Masters program where he earned his MFA degree.

His first job out of college was as a medical photographer at the University of Utah. From there, he was hired by Browning Arms where he did all of their advertising and catalog photography, and was also the Public Relations Manager for the internationally renowned company.

In 1980, Bob started his own business he called Hills Studio and has been involved with that venture ever since. During that time, he was hired by Weber State College to teach upper division classes on a part time basis. In 1999, Bob was offered a full time position by one of his clients, Hammerton. He worked five years as their Marketing Manager doing photography, graphic design and public relations. Hammerton has gained a highly respected position as a company that designs and manufactures high-end rustic lighting fixtures and furniture for the second home market.

Even though landscape and fine-art photography has always been his first artistic love, it wasn’t until about 2005, that Bob has spent most of his time pursuing landscape and fine-art photography as his main photographic endeavor, while still maintaining a few commercial clients.

Bob has had several one-man shows, has participated in many juried exhibits, has won many awards and has sold his work internationally. He has been published in periodicals such as Outdoor Photographer, Popular Photography, LensWork and LensWork Extended, and the New York Graphic Society. He is also a regular contributor to Utah State’s award-winning calendars and other promotional and informational materials. He has also been represented by several art galleries, but most of them have not survived the various economic downturns of the past few years.

hillsphoto@gmail.com
http://www.bobhillsphotography.com/

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