About the Artist
Born and raised in the sleepy little town of South Norfolk, now a borough of the City of Chesapeake, Bob Boyette’s formative years may be likened to the childhood of Ralphie in the motion picture “A Christmas Story” (“You’ll shoot your eye out kid”). In fact, it would be fair to say that movies had a profound influence in shaping the artist’s view of the world, while serving as an introduction to art on film.
Bob’s life long love affair with creating art began, while as a youngster sitting on his grandmother’s front porch, he sketched hot rod cars parked at the curb. He marvels to this day at the delight as he watched Miss Kelly demonstrate the wonders of painting in grammar school art sessions. His drawing skills were later honed at Oscar F. Smith High School with mechanical and architectural drawing classes and in college, where he earned degrees in Architectural Design and Civil Engineering Technology.
While always intrigued with picture taking, Bob’s adult journey into the realm of artistic photography began in the early 70’s at Sandbridge Beach with a borrowed camera. Soon after, while serving a tour of duty in the United States Air Force, he purchased his first 35mm camera on the island of Okinawa, Japan.
Through the years, “Photoscapes by Boyette” have been displayed in many venues, including numerous outdoor art shows, both locally in Hampton Roads and across Virginia, where they have received many honorable mention and cash awards. In recent years, Bob’s work has been available at the Countryside Shops in Virginia Beach, on Hatteras Island in Buxton, NC and on Ocracoke Island, NC. Currently, Bob is affiliated with Riverview Gallery in Portsmouth, VA, The Art Center @ 319 in Smithfield, VA, and Fast Frame at Towne Place in Chesapeake, VA.
Since retiring from the City of Virginia Beach as a professional engineer, Bob works exclusively from his “Studio 60” in Chesapeake creating both 35mm and digital photographic images and paintings in watercolor, acrylic, and oil, with pen & ink accents. He may be reached by phone at (757) 545-5874 or via email at .