Robert Campbell (painter and poet)

Robert Campbell (1951-2004) was born in Marshall, Texas.

He was a painter, sculptor, writer, cartoonist, and musician, employing the arts as though they were just interchangeable mediums to express his inner vision. He called his artistic style "Real Fantasy" to emphasize the fantastic in his take on the school of Fantastic Realism.

Real Fantasy was deeply rooted in Campbell's interest in the supernatural, including Biblical symbols and allegories. Humor was also an essential part of Real Fantasy, as was music, which Campbell usually portrayed as a kind of "New Age" rock and roll. Both his earliest poems and his last poem, “Superman,” were written as rock songs.

Early life

In high school, Campbell had a talent for football, and regretted being unable to pursue a career in it because of his short skinny build. He majored in art at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, but dropped out his junior year and never received a degree.

He came to Los Angeles in 1975, where he showed in art galleries, painted faux finishes and trompe l'oeil on many prominent walls throughout the city, and worked as a scenic painter in the theater and movie business. His feature film credits include Bagdad Cafe and Echo Park, both directed by Percy Adlon. He also worked on rock videos for musicians like Prince, Kenny Loggins, Tom Petty, Cyndi Lauper, Tori Amos, and Nirvana.

Brass Tacks Press

In 2002, Campbell co-founded Brass Tacks Press with poets Pablo Capra and Richard McDowell. He published his poetry in the anthology Idlers of the Bamboo Grove: Poetry from Lower Topanga Canyon (2002) and in the literary journal Life as a Poet (2002-5). He also published his own book, Life as a Poet presents: Anesthesia Lake (2004).

Death

In the late '90s, Campbell was diagnosed with diabetes, but refused to accept treatment. As a tragic result, he lost his eyesight around 2000, and died in 2004 at age 53. Several of his books have been published posthumously by Brass Tacks Press.

Books

Poetry

  • Life as a Poet presents: Anesthesia Lake by Robert Campbell (2004)
  • Magic Woman: Rock Songs by Robert Campbell & Pablo Capra (ed.) (2005)
  • Rut Weaver by Robert Campbell & Pablo Capra (ed.) (2008)
  • Camp Bell: Selected Poems by Robert Campbell & Pablo Capra (ed.) (2008)

Prose

  • Jeremy Black: Selected Stories by Robert Campbell & Pablo Capra (ed.) (2005)
  • Audesheer and Deja by Robert Campbell & Pablo Capra (ed.) (2006)

Comics

  • Floating by Robert Campbell & Pablo Capra (ed.) (2004-5)