# Bob camblin

Bob Bilyeu Camblin
Born: August 1, 1928
Died: December 4, 2010
Nationality: American
Occupation: Artist, Painter
Movement: Post-Impressionism, Abstract Impressionism, Mouches Volantes
Bob Bilyeu Camblin (August 1, 1928 – December 4, 2010) was an American artist who gained prominence in the 1970s for his unique transition from abstract impressionism to a style he termed "Mouches Volantes." His work extended the principles of Dada and Surrealism, characterized by its exploration of optical illusions and perceptual experiences. Over his lifetime, Camblin created more than 2,400 artworks, including paintings, drawings, and watercolors.
Early Life and Education
Camblin was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, into a family of artists. His parents, Don and Viva Camblin, were accomplished artists who exposed him to various mediums from a young age. His early passion for art was evident during his time as Art Director for his high school yearbook. He pursued formal studies at the Kansas City Art Institute, earning a B.F.A. and M.F.A. in 1955. Shortly after, he received a Fulbright fellowship, which allowed him to study art in Italy for a year.
Artistic Development and Career
Camblin’s career began with teaching positions at institutions such as The Ringling School of Art, University of Illinois, University of Detroit, University of Utah and Rice University. His time in Europe and later in Venice had a profound influence on his work, where he encountered the avant-garde movement and refined his technique.
In the summer of 1968, Camblin began collaborating with fellow artist Earl Staley, with whom he set up a studio. The concept of collaboration became a central theme in his work, as he engaged in artistic events, including group exhibitions and collaborative sculptures, often inspired by Dadaist ideals. He adopted multiple artistic personas, including Anonymous Bosch and Mr. Peanut, further reflecting his experimental approach.
Mouches Volantes
In 1980, Camblin developed Mouches Volantes, a painting style that played on the interaction between optical illusions and the viewer’s perception. This technique, influenced by artists such as M.C. Escher and Marcel Duchamp, sought to create larger perceptions from familiar objects through abstract brushstrokes. His work invited viewers to engage with the paintings beyond the surface, piecing together a narrative based on their optical experiences.
Major Works
Some of Camblin's notable works include:
Big Al: Electric Age, an example of his Mouches Volantes technique, where he blurred the line between abstract shapes and perceptual reality.
The Marionette, one of his early works reflecting his Catholic upbringing and existential themes.
Descent From The Cross, a pen and ink drawing depicting the crucified Christ being lowered from the cross, his lifeless body held by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.
Collaborations and Exhibitions
Throughout his career, Camblin participated in several notable exhibitions, including:
62nd American Paintings & Sculpture Exhibit (Chicago Art Institute, 1957) Fulbright Artists Exhibition (Rome, 1957) Fresh Paint: The Houston School (1985), where he was the only artist featured without a written statement.
His works were exhibited at institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts (Houston), Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Akron Art Institute.
Personal Life
In his later years, Camblin moved to Algiers, Louisiana, before settling in LaPlace, Louisiana, where he continued to paint with his wife, fellow artist Nancy Giordano Echegoyen, until his death in 2010.
References
1. Goodfellow, Robin. Bob Camblin: A Sixty Year Retrospective 1950 - 2010. ISBN 978-0-9988949-1-1
2. Rowland, Sandra Jensen. Bob Bilyeu Camblin: An Iconoclast in Houston’s Emerging Art Scene.ISBN 978-1-57441-789-0
3. Whitehead. Family Portrait: The Lost Sketchbooks of Bob Camblin 1956–1974. ISBN 978-0-9988949-0-4
4. Goodfellow, Robin. Bob Camblin N Compleat Workes: Ruminations About Life in The Late 20th Century Vol I-V. ISBN 978-0-9988949-3-5
5. Goodfellow, Robin. Bob Camblin DRAWriting: The Late 20th Century. ISBN 978-0-9988949-2-8
6. Johnson, Patricia C. "The Image of the House Through Artists’ Eyes." Houston Chronicle, November 15, 1981
7. Landay, Janet "Collaborators: Artists Working Together in Houston 1969-1986." ISBN 0-89090-040-X
8. Gershon, Pete Collision: The Contemporary Art Scene in Houston, 1972-1985 ISBN 9781623496326