Robert Hartleben stands next to two of his paintings that were on display at Java Junction in Brockport.

Inspired by the countryside

While traveling along the nation's highways, Robert Henri Hartleben took notice of the beauty that surrounds us and it called to his artistic nature. Now after more than 15 years of driving an 18-wheeler on cross-country runs, he turned the corner on a new vocation - painting.

"I've always drawn and doodled," Hartleben said. "If I see something I like, I try to capture it."

Hartleben, whose work was recently displayed at Java Junction in Brockport, says he's taken only one drawing class. "I took the class ... it was more theory than drawing so I just started experimenting and came up with my own style."

Born in Germany, Hartleben and his family came to America when he was one year old. Following his graduation from Holley High School, he spent four years in Texas as a physiological training specialist, teaching parachuting and aircraft emergency survival skills for the Air Force.

His paintings, numbering 30 so far, have been created with acrylic on canvas. "I would like to learn and experiment with oils," he said as we looked through his portfolio.

From prancing horses to soaring eagles and haunting landscapes to paintings of Native Americans, Hartleben's images have a "folksy" Americana feel to them. Working from a painting is the way he normally begins he said. "I have taken photographs all across the country when I was driving ... I have a whole box of them," he said. "Sometimes, though, I just paint from an image that pops into my head."

At any one time, he said, he could have two or three paintings in progress. "You put on a bit of background color on one canvas and move on to some fine touch up work on another piece while waiting for the paints to dry," he said.

Now a house painter by trade, Hartleben said he hopes to eventually earn a living as a full time artist. "I can see my works evolving and growing with each painting I complete," he said.

Hartleben also paints commissioned works for individuals. Anyone interested in viewing his works or discussing a commissioned painting can contact him at 395-0986.