Khios
Khios is part of Robert's 2021 body of work, 'Grow / Re-Grow,' in which he pays homage to the strength and fortitude of his arboreal subject. He states, 'My intent is to express a felt beauty through my paintings. In their efforts to emerge and grow beyond harsh conditions, trees display a special quality. I want my paintings to respond and echo, somehow, their struggles.'
Robert Marchessault’s love of trees is evident in his serene compositions. Although done with intricate detail and luminous color, Marchessault’s trees are not species specific, but rather are the artists’ creations. He takes his vast knowledge of trees, gained through hands-on experience of extensive planting and tending, and considers trees’ significance as indicators of the health of our environments and global climate. Each tree floats on an abstract atmospheric background, allowing for something akin to landscape painting but in a style all his own.