This biography from the Archives of AskART:
|  Growing up in the San Joaquin Valley of central California, Bob Boomer
hung around his grandfather's cabinet making shop. He earned a
degree in industrial arts from California State University in
Fresno. Then he took a teaching job of woodworking and mechanical
drawing in Hawaii, and began working there with native woods.
He settled in California and began to sell his carvings. In 1977,
he moved to Ahwahnee in the Sierras to devote full time to carving.
Source:
Southwest Art, February, 2001" | |
Biography from Lee Youngman Galleries:
| Bob Boomer began sculpting in natural wood while teaching in
Hawaii. Not until 1975 did he begin showing his work
publicy. Collectors soon recognized his talent, and demands for
his work led him to resign his teaching position and devote full time
to art.
Boomer is one of the growing number of Western sculptors who dare to
reach beyond traditional realism, refusing to be limited by exactness
of form and detail. This enables him to express with power and
dignity his impressions of the deep emotional and spiritual aspects of
the human spirit.
Boomer is fascinated by faces, hands and postures through which his
lifelike personalities are revealed. His sculptures emerge from
the weathered wood into sinuous flowing line and form that speak of a
complete synthesis of man and nature. His subject remains people, with
this favorite being the Native american as they are especialy
compatible with the weathered wood.
Although Bob Boomer taught briefly at an Indian training center in
California, he does not claim to be an authority on the Native
American. His sculptures of the Indian are not intended to
represent any particular tribe. The Indians he depicts are
mythical, earthy, impassioned and have designs intended to appeal to
persons interested in artistic statements and impressions.
Many art magazines have featured articles on his work, including Art of the West, Southwest Art, Better Homes, and Garden Wood Magazine.
Boomer's many awards include Artist choice Award at the International
Round-Up Show in El Paso, Texas, Gold Medal Takeaway Sculpture for
a.I.C.A. in 1992 and 1993, A.I.C.A. 1993 Festival Choice Award,
People's Choice Award twice and one Honorable Mention at the Southwest
Art in the Wine Country Show in Calistoga, California. |
Biography from Cody Fine Art Gallery:
| Coming from a long line of woodworkers and fine cabinetmakers, Bob
Boomer has a love of working in wood that sprouted at a young
age. He recalls carving figures in this medium as early as age
twelve. Boomer went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Industrial Technology, with a focus on wood, from Fresno State
University. He began a career in teaching, but eventually left
his tenure to pursue a career as a professional sculptor, something he
has been doing now for thirty years.
Bob, and his wife of forty
years Carol, have made their home in California's Sierra Nevada
Mountains, just south of Yosemite National Park. It's here that
he finds the exotic Manzanita and weathered Cedar that he predominately
works in.
Bob's love of history, and respect for the Native American People are
present in his portrayals. "I sculpt with the natural wood formations,
rather than against them. This balance with nature is evident in the
subject matter I create. The proud and nobile Native American People
stand in harmony with the natural elements that surround them."
Over the years, Boomer has developed a signature style, which sets him apart from that of others in this very competitive field.
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Biography from Trailside Galleries - WY:
|  For over twenty years Bob Boomer has been a professional artist. His unique sculptures are produced from manzanita wood found near his California home. Each piece carved from the unformed wood takes on distinct characteristics as Boomer sculpts with the wood rather than against it. This balance with nature is evident in the subject matter he creates. The proud and noble Native American people stand in harmony with the natural elements that surround and bind creation.
Bob also produces limited edition bronzes directly from the original wood sculptures. He feels that the few sculptures produced each year enhance the uniqueness and value of his work. |
| ** If you discover credit omissions or have additional information to add, please let us know at registrar@AskART.com. |
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Bob Boomer is also mentioned in these AskART essays:
The California Art Club
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