Born in 1948 in Newton, Kansas, Robert Chapman moved with his family to Phoenix, Arizona at the age of nine. At the age of twelve he knew that he was going to be an artist and he has never swerved from that course. After his college career was interrupted by military service, he returned to Arizona State University and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in printmaking, specializing in etching and woodcuts. It was during his studies that Chapman developed a real reverence for art and the process of printmaking, and acquired knowledge of his craft.
Besides printmaking, Chapman has worked extensively in many areas of fiber art, including quilt making, embroidery, beadwork and papermaking. Robert founded a textile design company, “Pippin Studios”, which he operated until its sale in 1984. Robert recently illustrated a children’s book, “A Gift for Abuelita”, for Rising Moon Publishing. All of the illustrations were done in cast paper. He also did the cover for Arizona, “Twilight Tales”, a book of local ghost stories for Pruett Publishing. This illustration was also done in cast paper. Robert Chapman’s work has been seen in exhibits in the United States and Europe and has been collected by admirers on both continents. One consistent theme in all of Chapman’s work is his patient attention to detail, his fidelity to his ideals of quality and the love of his craft.
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