Robert Felker was born in Knoxville and grew up in Nashville. He has a BFA in Media Arts from the School of Visual Arts, NYC where he studied painting and illustration. After several years as a freelance illustrator, he worked in graphic design for more than 25 years while continuing to paint and make collages. In 2019, he embarked on a collage series called Patron Saints of Rock, depicting influential music icons which is ongoing. He also paints landscapes en plein air, in studio and at live events as well as public art, having painted the Cormac McCarthy Firefly Mural on Clinch Avenue, the Bijou Theatre’s 111th Anniversary Commemorative Mural and “East Tennessee Sunrise,” a mural collaboration with R.B. Morris, inspired by the poetry of President Jimmy Carter and located at the Knoxville Habitat for Humanity headquarters.

He currently lives and works out of his home studio in Knoxville, TN.

September 2022 - “Matriarchs” - Rala: Regional and Local Artisans, Knoxville, TN

Sept/Oct 2022 - Solo show, Schilling Gallery, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN

March 2022 - “Patron Saints of Rock” - The Emporium Center for the Arts, Knoxville, TN

September 2020 - “Magic in Everyday Life” - two-man show with Alan Monsarrat, The Emporium Center for the Arts, Knoxville, TN

2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 - “Artists on Location, A Plein Air Event” - Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville, TN

2014, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022 - “ArtXtravaganza” - Group show, Webb School of Knoxville, Knoxville, TN

1998 - present - personal work and private commissions

1991 - 1998 - Freelance illustrator, clients included: Lenscrafters, Sun Microsystems, Alfred Knopf, Dartmouth Press, School of Visual Arts

1991 - graduated School of Visual Arts with a BFA in Media Arts.

Spring 1991 - Solo show through SVA Galleries, entitled "Works on Paper"

Spring 1991 - Group show at the Art Directors Club, entitled "Illustration as Short Story"

Spring 1991 - Group show: "Images of Labor," Gallery 1199, NY