Robert Blue

Robert D.^[1] Blue (1946^[2] – January 22, 1998^[3]) was a painter noted for his images of pin-up girls in the 1980s and later his cowgirls of the New West series. He was the son of comedic actor Ben Blue.^[4] Blue's work precedes that of Patrick Nagel, as Blue's credits as a commercial artist date as early as 1970. A Blue painting was used for the album back cover art for Iron Butterfly "Metamorphosis" 1970 LP release and he painted fetish pin-ups of icon Bettie Page on canvas as early as 1974, which were collected by the "Pin-up King" . (Martignette is co-author of The Great American Pin-Up with Louis K. Meisel). Other notable collectors of Blue's art have included Jack Nicholson, Barbra Streisand, Brian Wilson and Hugh Hefner, as well as numerous corporate collectors, including the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Los Angeles, and the Atlanta Hilton Motel.^{[citation needed]} Blue's prize paintings are in the National Archives in Washington D.C. and the permanent collection of the Carnegie Art Museum.

Biography[]

Blue was born in Los Angeles^[3] in 1946, and grew up in Beverly Hills. He served in the United States Army and attended the California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, earning a BFA at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. Blue served as chairman of fine art at Assn. in Art, Van Nuys.

In 1979, Blue joined Brian Davis to form the publishing company. This company published a number of dramatic posters, including some by illustrator Major Felten.^{[citation needed]}

Blue, a published painter as early as 1970 worked in many mediums including watercolors, oils and acrylics. Blue's fashion pin-up "Blue Girl" paintings and serigraphs were highly sought after in the 1980s, bringing him international success as far as Japan. Current critics might wish to compare Blue's artwork to the famous Playboy and commercial illustrator Patrick Nagel, possibly because both artists were notable alumni of the prestigious Chouinard Art Institute and were successful at painting beautiful women during what is now often referred to as the 1980s art deco revival aesthetic.^{[citation needed]}

Blue's popular 1980s period "Blue Girl" series was all his own and is easily identifiable to his collectors. Blue painted with a unique color palette, the eyebrows feature a signature zig-zag detail, and his "Blue Girl" hair swirls with individual strands (often in a stark violet or gold). The "Blue Girl" hands always adorn long painted nails, frequently in a cherry red. Blue serigraphs can be hard to find today and his simple swirl signature is usually not recognized by newer collectors. Some popular paintings include "Monica," "Lauren," "Claudia," and golden-haired "Suzanne," in which Blue painted and printed his female subject's hair strands in micronized 24k gold.^{[citation needed]}

In the early 1990s, artist Blue transitioned with the times creating paintings resulting in more realism which showed off his true talent as a painter of oils. By the mid 1990s Blue revisited his love for fetish subject matter and began again painting the Queen of American Pin-up Bettie Page. It was then that Blue and Page collaborated on a series of rare limited editions serigraphs in which Page also signed the limited releases. Robert Blue's artwork featuring Page has always had a large cult fan following and Blue is credited by her fans as one of three artists, along with American illustrators and comic book artists Dave Stevens and Olivia De Berardinis, for reviving Page's career.^{[citation needed]}

Blue succumbed to brain cancer^[1] in Santa Monica in 1998, and the Robert Blue Foundation to aid brain cancer victims was instituted in his memory. He was survived by his wife, Linda, and his brother, Tom.

Blue's art was featured in the 1974 film The Second Coming of Suzanne, and also 1984's Heartbreakers, which was loosely based on Blue himself.^[4] His work also appeared in the 1982 Richard Elfman film Forbidden Zone.^[5]

References[]