Watercolor artists around the globe mourn the passing of Australian master Robert Wade.
Introduced to watercolor at the age of six by his artist father, Wade was otherwise self-taught. His ability to capture the essence of landscapes and emotions with the stroke of a brush made him a revered figure among artists and art enthusiasts alike. Through his work, he not only showcased the beauty of the Australian landscape but also demonstrated the full potential of the medium.
“Watercolor captures each and every one who takes up the challenge to paint with this glorious and capricious medium,” Wade said. “In painting the type of subjects that I do, my main concern is to create an expression of my emotion through light, form, and movement. To be able to translate these feelings of excitement from my mix of imagination and reality, and then put them down on paper, takes much intense observation and interpretation. I call my process ‘Perceptive Observation,’ which I define as ‘seeing with your BRAIN, feeling with your EYES, interpreting with your HEART.’ Hopefully, this mix will eventually lead to a sensation that will flow through to the viewers of my work.”
Thomas W. Schaller wrote this of Wade’s passing: “Saddened by the loss of a true icon of the painting world — the one and only Robert Wade. I am so grateful for his friendship, his generosity of spirit, and the enduring support and guidance he always gave me and so many others through the years. We are not likely to see his equal again. Thank you Bob. You will be missed.”
