Legendary Houston artist Bob Camblin died Saturday in LaPlace, LA from complications following a stroke he suffered last year. Born in Oklahoma in 1928, Camblin studied painting at the Kansas City Art Institute, earning an M.F.A. in 1955. He taught at at Rice University from 1967-73 with Joe Tate and Earl Staley, with whom he shared studio space. His influence was a constant undrcurrent in the city’s art scene until he left in the early 80’s. Volatile and gregarious, Camblin saw himself as a vehicle for artistic inspiration, not always fully responsible for his highly personal, narrative polemic works. Wary of interpretation, he assumed multiple artistic personas, signing himself Anonymous Bosch, Red Stick the Pirate, and Mr. Peanut and is the only artist without a written statement featured in the seminal 1985 "Fresh Paint: The Houston School" catalog. Camblin is survived by his wife, Nancy Giordano.
Bob Camblin 1928-2010
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Bob Camblin,—along with his compadres Tate, Staley, Roy Fridge, et al— was a powerful force in the formation of the Houston art scene in the late 1960s. He was a foremost practitioner of what Walter Hopps always described as the Imagist school of American art. Camblin was a master draftsman and drawer of lines, no exaggeration to call him a Southern Dürer.
Personally, as an architecture student at Rice, I had not only my aesthetic views but my entire zeitgeist changed by Camblin’s teachings in studio art and drawing classes. He was one of those rare mentors one always hopes to encounter in life.
I’ll never forget the extraordinary moment, ca. 1980 I think, when Camblin took most of his artworks to the David Gallery, set up shop for a day, and bartered away his output with all comers. In exchange for one of his artworks he asked for something of significance to the individual making the offer. The gesture announced in a profound way his distaste for commercial aspects of being an artist while demonstrating his personal engagement with his audience.
Here’s to Bob’s next cosmic encounter.
Don Quaintance
I just found this site and love Don Quaintance’s thoughts. I own Twinrocker Handmade Paper in Brookston, IN. In the 1970’s, we made paper for several lithographs that Bob made with David Folkman at Little Egypt Enterprises in Houston. In thanks for making that custom handmade paper for Bob, he gave me a hook-line-and-sinker, the hook at the top with the metal line hanging from it and the sinker hanging from the long line. It was a small sculpture, meant to be hung in our studio, meaning that he was encouraging us and everyone to go for life “hook-line-and-sinker”, all the way. That was so typical of him, as Don has explained. He was a special kind of artist. Three of those lithographs from that suite will be on display at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, in Lafayette, IN in a retrospective exhibition of Twinrocker’s Collection of objects given to us by our clients September 20–Nov. 25, 2-18. The museum is free and open to the public 11am-5pm, seven days a week.
First my friend and mentor Bob Fowler dies and now Bob Camblin. I have very fond memories of talking with Camblin about art
Bob Camblin was a dear friend to me, when I lived in Houston in the 60’s.
I managed the David Gallery for Dianne David for three years, and Bob and I became close friends.
When I organised the shows, and when he was the featured artist, he intensely detested having to show up, and answer questions from gallery clients!
Fortunately Dianne always provided a very lavish bar!
I am fortunate enough to own a large oil painting of his “ The Mystery of St. Bambola”.
From his Fulbright time in Italy; his artwork became focused on a doll like figure named St Bambola. Also own two original pen and ink drawings, and one artist’s proof “ The Altarpiece of St. Bambola”, dated 1968.
He was a brilliant and completely original artist, and a most fascinating mind.
I am sorry that I did not keep up the friendship when I moved to California in the early 70’s.