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Bobby McGee
July 16,1945 - September 21, 2008
Bobby grew up in El Bethel Baptist Church in San Francisco as a PK (preacher's kid).
His first priority was working for the Lord in youth ministry, and his second was his
love for the arts. Over the years his art developed to what you see on this site today.
Bobby was a Vietnam Veteran. He served in the Navy from 1964-1970. His position was a
radioman on board the USS Towers.
With an honorable discharge, he decided to go back to school to carry out his artistic dreams.
From repercussions as a veteran, he endured years of suffering with post traumatic stress disorder
from his war duty, and substantial hearing loss. This lasted up to the day he passed away.
Though he carried out a normal active life, he had a battle within himself. Through his drawings
and paintings he shares his life experiences about faith, family, love, and war.
Bobby McGee received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute. He also received
a full scholarship to the Skohegan School of Arts Summer Program in Maine where he studied under
prestigious artists.
In the early 1980's, Bobby, along with some of his artist friends, started an art studio in the
Mission District of San Francisco known as Creative Alternatives. There they were free to express
themselves through art without any conformity or restrictions. They pursued sculpture, silk-screening,
photography, videography, painting - even writing and music. Bobby also lived at the studio's storefront
location.
He contributed to many art shows and special events by displaying his work, videotaping,
or helping other artists by encouraging their endeavors and talents. Bobby had a heart for
sharing his techniques with others. He loved the conventional methods of painting and drawing on
traditional canvas, but he also had a passion for computer-generated art as well.
In later years he alternated between traditional painting with a brush to painting electronically
with a Wacom pad and his computer. He always said it was a pleasure knowing you can use any tool
to paint with and anything to paint about. He loved talking about using a small thin branch of a tree,
as a brush. Not stroking as a brush, but using the branch to stipple.
When it came to art, Bobby had no limits. He drew and painted what was in his heart and soul.
He began with a blank canvas, pen in hand, and as he started to move his hand back and forth,
formation would surface right before your eyes. He never really knew what was going to happen.
He trusted the Lord to guide his art.
Bernadine Remembers Bobby
I remember asking him on occasion what he was going to draw, and he never really knew for sure
until it began to come into view. He truly was being led from a higher power when he created
some of his artwork. It has been well over ten years now since Bob passed away. He is missed
everyday and thought of even more. His spirit continues to be alive through all the memories
and wonderful pieces of art he left for me and to share with others.
He had a heart full of love and compassion. I have yet to meet anyone else like him. Quite
honestly there will be no one quite like him. Bob was a real genuine individual with a unique
sense of wisdom and understanding.
To see About Bernadine click this link
About Bernadine
To see About McGee Art Studio click this link
About McGee Art Studio
Bobby was a Vietnam Veteran. He served in the Navy from 1964-1970. His position was a radioman on board the USS Towers.
With an honorable discharge, he decided to go back to school to carry out his artistic dreams. From repercussions as a veteran, he endured years of suffering with post traumatic stress disorder from his war duty, and substantial hearing loss. This lasted up to the day he passed away. Though he carried out a normal active life, he had a battle within himself. Through his drawings and paintings he shares his life experiences about faith, family, love, and war.
Bobby McGee received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute. He also received a full scholarship to the Skohegan School of Arts Summer Program in Maine where he studied under prestigious artists.
In the early 1980's, Bobby, along with some of his artist friends, started an art studio in the Mission District of San Francisco known as Creative Alternatives. There they were free to express themselves through art without any conformity or restrictions. They pursued sculpture, silk-screening, photography, videography, painting - even writing and music. Bobby also lived at the studio's storefront location.
He contributed to many art shows and special events by displaying his work, videotaping, or helping other artists by encouraging their endeavors and talents. Bobby had a heart for sharing his techniques with others. He loved the conventional methods of painting and drawing on traditional canvas, but he also had a passion for computer-generated art as well.
In later years he alternated between traditional painting with a brush to painting electronically with a Wacom pad and his computer. He always said it was a pleasure knowing you can use any tool to paint with and anything to paint about. He loved talking about using a small thin branch of a tree, as a brush. Not stroking as a brush, but using the branch to stipple.
When it came to art, Bobby had no limits. He drew and painted what was in his heart and soul. He began with a blank canvas, pen in hand, and as he started to move his hand back and forth, formation would surface right before your eyes. He never really knew what was going to happen. He trusted the Lord to guide his art.
He had a heart full of love and compassion. I have yet to meet anyone else like him. Quite honestly there will be no one quite like him. Bob was a real genuine individual with a unique sense of wisdom and understanding.
To see About Bernadine click this link About Bernadine
To see About McGee Art Studio click this link About McGee Art Studio