He served from 1942 to 1945 in the U.S. Navy Reserve. It was during this experience that he created the famous Shelter Drawings, for which he became known. Two years following his service, during 1947, he attended the Academie Julian in Paris. From there, during 1948 to 1950, he attended the Black Mountain College in North Carolina. During the early 1950 s, Rauchenberg bridged the gap between pop art and abstract expressionism by creating combines.
Combines are pieces of sculpture created from pieces of junk and, later, silk over lays.
He preferred this type of artwork to drawing, which he rejected early in his career. This type of art form is his own invention and soon became what he is known for as an artist. Painting relates to both art and life. Neither can be made. I try to act in that gap between the two.