Bob Barish

Featured Artist - August 2023

Artist, Artsbridge Board Member & River Rats Chairman for Artsbridge

If you have attended Artsbridge events or painted with River Rats, then you certainly have met Bob. He has an open, approachable manner and will talk to you about his artwork and interests and may have invited you to join him and his River Rats crew to paint not far from the river. The river, of course, is the Delaware River where bridges, boats, and hillsides with homes and Bowmans Tower fill the view. Within a short drive of each side are towns and produce farms that offer a plethora of still life and sceneries to paint. I found a description written years ago that describes the River Rats. “It's just a group of artists who enjoy the camaraderie of painting or drawing with others. We meet in a wide variety of locations usually within 10 – 15 miles of Lambertville, New Jersey. The River Rats is a subgroup of the non-profit arts organization called Artsbridge. Bob tirelessly organizes weekly plein-air painting sessions for anyone who loves painting outside as much as he does. If the old postal motto, “Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds” thinks they are the only ones who work in all types of weather, then the postal service apparently has not met Bob. He keeps the events safe for all and alters the start time on hotter days and encourages layers for colder days to paint. Each season can be captured with this hardy leader.

Bob’s talents in painting are inspiring. His oil paintings are colorful and each piece portrays a seemingly quiet- small town setting amongst trees and varied landscapes. He has created his own system of having everything he needs at his chair’s side when he paints outdoors. His home is adorned with his favorite pieces and they hang or sit alongside paintings exchanged, gifted or purchased from friends. Bob tells the story of how he captures each scene himself or honors the work of artist friends.

Delaware River Abstract

Oil
18 x 24

Artist Statement

“I have always been interested in art, with my earliest recollections watching and participating with the Jon Gnagy TV show, “Learn to Draw”, in the mid-1950’s. That early interest has had a profound influence on my life. Upon graduation from The University of The Arts, Philadelphia, PA, and a corporate career as Art and Design Director for the Pharmaceutical Industry I remain a committed artist.

I am now a full-time oil painter specializing in plein-air scenes of the Delaware Valley and the rich history of the area. Plein air painting offers me an immersion into the sights, sounds, and feelings of the subject. My primary goal is to convey the immediacy of ‘being there’ with a glimpse of an instant image experiencing what I have seen and portraying in paint.

As a board member of Artsbridge, I have also served as Chairman of the River Rats Plein Air Painting Group (An Artsbridge group) for the past 16 years scheduling weekly paint-outs at various locations in the Delaware Valley river towns and surrounding countryside. “

Mail Delivery

Oil
30 x 30

All Night Market

Oil
20 x 20

Sayen Gardens

Oil
10 x 20

Terhune Orchard

Oil
16 x 20

Beach Bums

Oil
30 x 36

A few words about Bob Barish, Chief River Rat

Bob is a unique artist. He always arrives at a painting location with an SUV well stocked with oil paints and brushes, an easel of his own design (Bob is by trade an industrial designer) and two or three canvases started a year or two ago.  Bob ponders the the scene and decides whether to start a new canvas or finish the earlier work. Before mixing colors and starting to paint, Bob casually greets each artist, introducing those who might not know each other. He then sits down to paint, and is usually the last person to leave the location, always with the setting sun.

Bob has made painting his life’s mission and he practices it everyday: along the Delaware River, on city sidewalks, and in his well appointed studio. 

~ William M.

Bob does a fantastic job as coordinator of the River Rats.  Each week he selects a location  for the artists  to set up, often with input from the group. Under Bob's leadership, the "Rats" capture the beauty of the Delaware Valley on canvas and paper. Bob is instrumental in continuing the long

 tradition of plein air painting in our region. I'm so glad to have him as a mentor and friend. 

~ Laura N.

Bob is the perfect person to manage the River Rats plein air painting group. He works hard to find new and interesting locations for us to paint and takes into consideration the convenience of travel for the members. He is very flexible with scheduling so as to take advantage of favorable weather conditions by changing the days and times that we go out to paint. It has been a pleasure for me to be a part of this group and I am thankful to Bob for making it possible for me to meet so many new artists and make friends with them in the process. 

~ Matt D.

Great choice! Bob deserves all the credit for keeping the Rats afloat all these years! In his weekly emails to River Rat members, he chooses the location (but is always open to suggestions on new places to paint). He always takes weather conditions into consideration (i.e. if it's cold and windy, he'll pick a location that provides some shelter from the elements. Or if it's going to be really hot, he'll suggest starting earlier in the morning, etc.) Whenever possible, he also let's us know if restroom facilities are available, and if not, how far it is to the nearest facility! His emails even include any interesting information or history about the location, as well as directions. It's obvious that he takes his leadership role seriously! 

If he would only show up on time once in a while! And in more than one occasion, when he finally gets his elaborate plein air gear set-up and ready to go (after several trips back and forth from his car), he pulls out a work-in-progress that you're sure you recognize from two or three years back! Many times I'm almost ready to pack up and leave when he is just getting started (In his defense, I do tend to start pretty early!) A great painter and even better person!! 

Oh, and after a hard day of painting, we both enjoy eating our peanut butter crackers as we assess our day's work!

~ Tom W.

For more artwork and information about Bob Barish:

bobbarish@me.com
Instagram: barishbob