WELCOME to Robert Lyn Nelson’s virtual gallery of fine art, a collection of Nelson’s diverse oeuvre. Although the Artist intentionally avoids classification, we have placed his paintings into subjective categories for convenient viewing. We hope you enjoy experiencing the work of one of America’s most supremely gifted and versatile artists.
What began as an unexplainable, undeniable drive to draw beginning at age three, has propelled Robert Lyn Nelson into a very elite minority of distinguished artists who defy categorization, having extensive bodies of work across all styles of painting & sculpture.
Describing Robert Lyn Nelson is a daunting task, for a mere label is insufficient to capture the depth and range of his artistic expression. With consummate ease, he navigates between mediums, from the precision of charcoal to the fluidity of paint, seamlessly transitions between Abstract to Realism, Cubism to Impressionism, and beyond.
Pablo Picasso, Gerhard Richtor, and David Hockney, known for their versatility and considerable artistic range, continue to inspire Nelson to create works without limitations. He believes creativity is boundless and artists shouldn’t be limited in any way when it comes to expressing themselves through art.
Robert is tirelessly devoted and dedicated to perfecting new techniques – his expansive body of work contains more than 11,000 paintings, drawings and sculpture – distinguishing him as one of the most prolific artists in the modern world.
“Two Worlds,” the first piece of artwork to ever depict views above and below the ocean surface launched Robert’s career and inspired an important new school of art, Environmental Surrealism. He has received world acclaim for pioneering the Modern Marine Art Movement. With his explorative approach to art and a penchant for pushing boundaries, he continues to evolve through different categories.
A passionate conservationist, and considered a visual activist, he has raised millions of dollars for non-profit environmental organizations. Robert has dedicated his life’s efforts to building concern, and more importantly inspiring a call-to-action to protect nature & animals through his art. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, which he co-founded along with Jean-Michel Cousteau, remains steadfast in its mission to preserve the health of the ocean for generations to come.
The Beatles Tribute Series, inspired by the iconic rock band, is a testament to Robert’s artistic versatility. He captures the essence of each melody, echoing the era of psychedelic rock in the 60s with vibrant colors, imaginative compositions, and mystic references. His artistic prowess is evident in his ability to translate music into visuals, allowing us a glimpse into his surreal world.
Robert’s artwork is thoroughly magic. It takes you into a different realm and allows you to move through time. It’s not confined to a style or a technique. It’s Robert taking what moves him in life and letting his paintbrushes do the rest.
It’s the day-to-day discipline and unwavering obsession with art that allowed him to push boundaries and create art that defies labeling. His ability to evolve into an artist that defies labels is a testament to his passion. His creative spirit remains unyielding. He is poised to continue reimagining art with each new brushstroke.
The distortions of the world around him has led to increasing surrealistic elements that have added a complex dream-like dimension to Robert’s visionary art and ignited existing and new admirers.
No artist of his generation has awakened the world to such visual complexity and beauty. Many say art is hope, each completed work by Robert Lyn Nelson is hope for a better world.
It is the intimate way Robert’s work moves his viewers that makes him so desirable to collectors in all categories.
Meet the Artist
RLN Exhibitions & Awards
Clint Eastwood Jacques Cousteau Jean-Michel Cousteau Robert Kennedy Jr Dr. Sylvia Earle James Cameron Bruno Mars Paul McCartney Arnold Palmer Mike Love Willie Nelson Nick Nolte Peter Max Randy Travis Pres. Bill & Hillary Clinton Pres. Ronald & Nancy Reagan Pres. George W Bush Vice Pres Al Gore Barbara Bush David Silverman Carl Wilson David Robinson Michael Warren Andy Bumatai; | Jack Nicklaus Terry Shroeder Roger Clinton Bruno Mars Bernie Kopell John Davidson Clare Boothe Luce Marlon Brando Kenny Loggins Chi Chi Rodriguez Robert Wagner Michael Schiffer Robert Rockefeller Sonny & Mary Bono Brian Wilson Jackie Cooper Jimmy Buffet Mike Conners Richard Crenna Chad Everett John Forsythe Jack Lord Danny Arnold Dr. Robert Ballard | Ron Ely Paloma Picasso Gov. Ben Cayetano Leonard Nimoy Richard Lewis John Candy Tom Selleck John Hillerman Mac David Lloyd Bridges Vince Neil Al Jardine Gov. George Ariyoshi Shep Gordon King Tupon of Tonga Jimmy Messina John Denver David Gates Guy Buffett Dan Fogelberg Cliff Williams Marlin Perkins George Benson |
Gottling Gallery Lahaina Galleries, Lahaina/Wailea/Waimea/Newport Beach, United States Exclusive Collections Galleries, San Diego/Las Vegas, United States Diamond Head Galleries, Lahaina/Honolulu, United States Hana Coast Gallery, Hana, Maui Trowbridge Gallery, Los Angeles, United States Napua Gallery, Wailea, United States Shipstore Gallery, Kauai, United States Takeuchi Galleries, Beverly Hills, United States Images Gallery, Lahaina, United States Jacques Cousteau/National Marine Sanctuary Event, Washington DC, United States Napua Gallery, Wailea, United States World Harmony Exhibition, Los Angeles, United States C&S Media International, Shanghai, China Medea Gallery, Los Angeles, United States Rancho Cucamonga Museum, Dana Point, United States Image Station, Lahaina, United States Lahaina Center Art Galleries, Lahaina/Honolulu, United States NMSF, American Samoa NMSF, Key West Florida Tripp Harrison Gallery, St Augustine, United States RLN Galleries, Monterey/Lahaina, United States | Smithsonian Institute Museum of National History, Washington DC, United States Media Arts Group, Santa Barbara, United States Santa Barbara Museum, Santa Barbara, United States World Expo, US Official Artist, Lisbon, Portugal Maui Marine Art Expo, Wailea, United States Ron Seagal Galleries, Seattle, United States Images International Gallery, Honolulu, United States Keith Alexander Gallery, Vancouver, Canada Graphics Gallery, Blackhawk, California, United States Maranuchi Gallery, Tokyo, Japan Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, Canada Barr Gallery, Vancouver, Canada Lahaina Galleries, San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, Lahaina, United States Makk Gallery, Beverly Hills, United States Israel Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel Dyanson Galleries, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Carmel, United States Images International, Honolulu, United States Monterey Film Festival, Monterey, United States Daytona Beach Gallery, Daytona Beach, Florida, United States Falls of Clyde-Maritime Center, Honolulu, United States New York Museum of Natural History Kapalua Galleries, Kapalua, Hawaii, United States | Society for Wildlife Art London Mauna Lani Gallery, Hawaii, United States Walt Myers Gallery, San Antonio, United States Abilene Fine Arts Museum, Texas, United States Fine Arts Museum of the South at Mobile Show Island Gallery, Honolulu, United States Peabody Museum, Massachusetts, United States Metropolitan Museum of Art Midwest Museum of American Art McBeth Gallery, Depoe Bay, Oregon, United States Art Expo, New York, United States Berkshire Museum, Massachusetts, United States Arnot Art Museum Nicolaysen Art Museum Gallery Americana, Carmel, United States Gallery Hawaii, Honolulu, United States Hyatt Regency Gallery, Kaanapali, United States Casay Gallery, Maui, United States Kelsey Gallery, Maui, United States Punaluu Art Show, Oahu, United States Yello Hippo Gallery, Oahu, United States Various Southern California shows beginning at age 14 |
Environmental Hero Award, Office Vice President, Al Gore Art Conservation Award Trends and Testimonies of Contemporary Art Award US Official Artist, World Expo 1998, Portugal Artist USA Award 1981-1982 American Biographical Institute For Artistic Achievements as “A Young Master Realist” Trustee Emiriti, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Originator of Modern Marine Art Movement Credit by Encyclopedia of Popular Culture and Literature Benjamin Franklin Award for Our Ocean Home children’s book NOAA National Treasure MIPA 1997 Book Achievement Award for Our Ocean Home children’s book Year of the Reef Award, Hawaii Governor’s Office International Year of the Reef Artist International Book of Honor Tiger of the Year | Official Artist Epson Printers Official Artist Dana Point Festival of the Whale “ABI” For Distinguished Artistic Achievements-USA Best Seller Art Books: RLN “Silver Book” International Register of Profiles, Cambridge, England Community Leaders of America, Raleigh, North Carolina Personalities of America Award Certificate of Recognition, County of Los Angeles, CA Certificate of Recognition, City of Monterey Park, CA Certificate of Recognition, California Legislature, CA Certificate of Recognition, California Legislature, 60th District Certificate of Recognition, City of Ontario, CA Certificate of Recognition, California Legislature, 61st District Resolution, County of San Bernadino, CA |
Companions of Art and Nature Cousteau Society Earth Island Institute Friends of the Sea Otter Green Peace San Francisco Green Peace USA Green Peace Hawaii Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society John Wayne Cancer Institute Lahaina Restoration Foundation Maritime Center Honolulu Maui Arts and Cultural Center Monterey Audubon Society Monterey Film Festival | National Geographic Society National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation Pacific Whale Foundation Save the Manatee Club Seattle Aquarium Society Special Olympics Steinhart Aquarium The Nature Conservancy Vancouver Aquarium Waikiki Aquarium World Wildlife Foundation Year of the Hawaiian Club Year of the Reef |
Fresh Off the Easel
Be first to view new works from the studio!