News Release

WARSAW — As part of an ongoing exhibit, the Lakeland Art Gallery in downtown Warsaw is hosting the writings and art of Robert Hudson.

Below, Hudson has provided an essay about the why, when and what of his art and writing — background that should help visitors enjoy viewing his work at the gallery.

The gallery, located at 119 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Visit lakelandartgallery.com to learn more about the Lakeland Art Association’s art programs, classes, exhibits and events. Questions? Contact the Lakeland Art Gallery by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling (574) 267-5568 or (574) 457-6085.

Read what Hudson has to say about his craft:

By Robert Hudson
Artist and Author

WHY: While living in Idaho, my pencil drawings were beginning to fetch a very nice reputation, and the sale of the pencil work steadily increased in interest and price. The bad news about it was that as I kept growing in my work’s demand, I at the same time worked hard to make my artwork more powerful and complex, telling stories with works taking three to four months to complete.

A friend talked me into learning to paint around my color blindness, thus increasing my ability to tell a bigger story … which was always my goal.

The storytelling was something I have done my whole life around campfires, etc.

After moving back to Indiana from Idaho, one of my sons asked me what the story behind this one painting was … so, as a first-class BS’er, I made up a quick story, and my son suggested I write what I had just told him.

So why I began to write came down to telling the story about a single painting … but when I started my story, it grew into my first book of nearly a half million words and 500 pages.

WHEN: I started writing in July of 2016 and finished my first book in June of 2017. It took me a year of eight- to 12-hour days of writing; I became obsessed and driven, forsaking most other things to finish my first book.

I found freedom in writing — the ability to express the smells, to express the feel of weather or a gentle touch, or the pain of a battle and its wounds upon body and mind.

I have finished five novels, with two more nearly finished. Incorporated into the stories are some of my own varied interests and life’s experiences.

WHAT: I grew up reading fantasy and science fiction, including authors Isaac Asimov, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard and many others. But also the western books of Louis L ‘Amour, Zane Grey and others.

So, with a western artist’s beginnings, and an early enchantment of sci-fi books and movies … I just let my imagination run … and it doesn’t seem to end … not yet.