Artistic visionary. Mad genius. Ultimate entertainer.
Over the course of a fifty-year career in Art, Rob Prior has been called many things. Before he could walk, Prior’s grandfather affixed crayons to his hands, the first steps he would take to becoming the artist he has become.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and a Master of Fine Arts in studio art from the University of Toledo, Prior embarked on a long and winding journey through illustration, entertainment, music, performance, and painting. Along the way, he’s created illustrations for TSR, publishers of Dungeons, and covers for musical acts like Blue Oyster Cult and Alanis Morissette.
In 2001, Prior moved to Los Angeles, where he immediately established himself as an innovative force in practical effects. He was a monster master on the smash hit Buffy the Vampire Slayer and created iconic art for cult classic Firefly. Additionally, he’s made significant contributions to HBO’s Game of Thrones, Marvel Comics, and LucasFilms.
While working on the visual side of entertainment, Prior executed what has been called “the single-most-viewed painting in history,” the original theatrical release poster for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Of the poster, one writer noted, “Anyone with electricity has seen and recognizes this painting.”
Prior began touring on the comic convention circuit in the early 2000s, and very soon after he began live painting before audiences. Unlike other “entertainers who paint,” Prior doesn’t memorize moves to make the same painting. Each work he creates is unique, powerful, and sublimely crafted for maximum visual and emotional impact.
As a live painter, he has performed with hip-hop powerhouse Jay-Z, rapper Tech N9ne, heavy metal powerhouse Pantera, and hard rock superstars Linkin Park. He’s appeared on stage with Imagine Dragons and powerhouse DJ Steve Aoki. He also appeared on stage alongside NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at the 2023 NFL Draft in Las Vegas and presented a portrait of Joni Mitchell to the Grammys MusiCares foundation.
In late 2016, he embarked on a project that would begin his transition away from pop art and to mainstream fine art when he partnered with comic book legend Stan Lee. The Legacy Collection saw Prior and Lee reimagine iconic Marvel covers as portraits of Lee in central roles. Ultimately comprising more than 115 portraits, the Stan Lee Legacy Collection catapulted Prior to international fame.
Prior cemented his position as one of his generation’s most prominent artists in 2021 when he live painted a portrait of the late fashion icon Virgil Abloh at Art Basel Miami. The portrait sold moments later for $1 million.
Since 2021, Prior has continued to balance fine art with pop art. He has appeared at Art Basel Switzerland, where he received the Arts and Humanitarian Award. With additional appearances in France, Eastern Europe, Italy, and across Asia and the Pacific, Prior has continued his meteoric rise to the pinnacle of the art world.
Most recently, Prior has been training to become an astronaut and, upon successful completion of training, will spend seven to ten days in orbit, where he will live stream the creation of more than 30 new works of both pop and fine art.
Prior continues to make his home in Los Angeles with his wife and children, where he also maintains a workshop studio honing the talents of the next generation of preeminent artists.
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