Bob’s remarkable emphasis on creative outlets and strong family support brought optimism and positivity in his life after being diagnosed with Schizophrenia. He has surpassed his limitations and obstacles using his skillful talent and love for exploring various styles and medium of art. Teaming with his father Mike, Bob has created remarkable illustrations for their collaboration on a children’s picture book Virtues and a graphic novel Weirdsdale.

What is the importance of art in your life? Do you remember any incident from your teenage days where art helped you through difficult time?B: It is calming for me. Some people go fishing, some people go out in the garden, and well for me I paint, draw, and make stuff. I am a calm, gentle person so art fits in my lifestyle. My teenage days were kind of a blur and very scary. The one constant though for me was comic books. They were my lifeline to keep going. My parents never hesitated to drive me to the comic shop, where I would spend hours soaking up the comics. I would come home with a couple issues and a lot of inspiration that lasts forever.

You love to explore various medium of art. Which medium or style do you prefer and why?B: Soft pastel just might be my favorite – though there’s not much of a market for it. It is such a delicate medium but also very forgiving. The colors are bright and pure. I wanted to be Degas for the longest time. Impressionism is my favorite style because of the colors, feelings, and lines they use.

How do you usually pick the subject for your paintings? Which one of your paintings is your favorite and why?B: There’s no real process for my paintings. Whatever I feel like painting at the time. Whatever inspiration hits me. I don’t really have a favorite.

Can you tell us how you got the idea of your book Virtues? What kind of response are you getting?B: I was at a church and I had a vision of two yellow dogs walking down a path into light and warmth. I came home and painted it and titled it Love. From then I decided, or perhaps it was fate, that I should make a book out of these virtuous dogs. The response is slow going. It was my first book so I think that might have something to do with it. But I’m learning. And we are planning a second Virtues book to be out soon.

What is your favorite place to visit and why?B: I don’t really have a favorite place – people make the places special – but perhaps abandoned buildings. I love to go explore and take pics of old, run down places.

What do you like to do when you are with your friends/family?B: We talk about philosophy, personal things, how to make our lives better. Other than that, we play basketball, video games, go shopping and have fun.

Can you give tips/advice for those in our community who want to learn art by themselves?B: Isn’t that redundant, lol? If they want to learn art by themselves then I can’t tell them anything. They’ll figure it out. What helped me a lot was my work ethic. I just don’t quit, even when it hurts.

Any special message for our community?B: I do have a special message for people in my situation. Like most of you on here I have a lot of problems. But any empathetic person knows that should not be the defining factor of who we are. Though our minds don’t work, and our legs can’t move, and we cannot see, we still need the light and warmth of love that is ours to keep. However, that’s not the laws of the universe. The weak are cast out all the time. So who knows… Maybe my Schizophrenia is the defining factor of me.