014 Bob Coates

# unchARTeDayton Podcast - S1E14: Reinventing Art in Retirement with Bob Coates

Get ready for a wild ride through the imaginative world of Bob Coates in this episode of unchARTeDayton! Bob isn't just an artist; he's a creative powerhouse who expertly works across multiple mediums including painting, drawing, ceramics, and sculpture. Oh, and did we mention he's also an educator with 25 years of art teaching under his belt?

But don't let the word "retired" fool you. Since stepping away from the classroom a few years ago, Bob has been busier than ever, diving headfirst into his own art projects. And boy, does he have a story to tell!

Picture this: a 16-year-old Bob looking at photos of sunbathers and thinking, "Hey, these people look like lizards!" Fast forward to today, and that quirky observation has blossomed into a full-blown creative odyssey. Bob's been crafting ceramic lizard men and building an entire world around them, set in a future version of Earth. Intrigued? You'll have to tune in to hear Bob spin this tale himself – trust us, it's worth it!

It's fascinating to see how Bob's teaching experience has influenced his personal work. Throughout his career as an educator, Bob consistently challenged his students with assignments designed to help them see and understand their work from different perspectives. One such approach involved taking individual works and combining them into a cohesive piece. Now, in a beautiful full-circle moment, Bob finds himself applying these same principles to his own creations. It's a testament to how the techniques used to inspire students can continue to shape an artist's practice long after leaving the classroom.

The conversation takes an exciting turn as we dive into the practical aspects of bringing Bob's vision to life. Bob and our very own Craig have already been collaborating on building and welding display stands for the ceramic lizard men and cocoons. But that's just the beginning! We couldn't resist a lively brainstorming session, exploring innovative ways and potential venues for Bob to showcase this captivating new body of work. It's a perfect example of how the art community comes together to problem-solve, create, and push the boundaries of exhibition possibilities.

Curious to see what happens when a lifelong educator unleashes his full creative potential? You won't want to miss this episode. Bob's journey from teaching art to fully immersing himself in his professional practice is sure to inspire artists of all ages and stages.

Ready to dive into Bob's lizard-filled world? Check out his work at BobCoatesArt.com and prepare to be amazed!

Tune in to this episode of unchARTeDayton for a glimpse into the boundless creativity that can flourish after retirement. Bob's story proves that when it comes to art, the best may be yet to come!

As always, if you have questions or comments about this episode, feel free to contact us at [e-mail].

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