About | mactheartist

About Mac the Artist:

Paitner of Fine Arts.

Contemporary artist Robert "Mac" McCroskey, born February 19, 1948 in Hamlet Hospital, around 4:00 a.m., started his trade many years ago while attending Rohanen Junior High School in Rockingham, NC. His artist development story began when he was walking home from school one day and he found a paper matchbook with a magical question inside the cover: "Can you draw this clown?" Curiosity getting the better of him, Mac created and mailed in his graphite pencil rendition of the clown: A few months later he began taking art lessons from the Art Instruction school he mailed the clown drawing to. He continued those lessons throughout his high school years, graduating in 1966. While there, he accomplished many art commissions from sign painting, to wall murals, and prop design for Junior Senior Proms.

Mac enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) delayed enlistment program on November 11, 1966 and went on active duty February 2, 1967. He pursued his passion for art even further by conducting his own art classes at the United Services Organization (USO) Club to members of the USAF and their dependents while stationed at RAF Croughton in England. While in England, Mac the Artist created many paintings of the English countryside and "Mod Art" of the times (late 1960s and 1970s.) Mac the Artist retired from the US Air Force on March 1, 1987. In June 1988, Mac returned to the Department of Defense (DoD) as a civilian employee. He retired from the DoD June 29, 2013 with more than 25 years dedicated civilian service.

Mac also tackled correspondence courses in Mechanical and Architectural Drafting and Engineering from LaSalle University (1965 - 1971); a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland, Overseas Campus, RAF Upper Heyford, United Kingdom (1982); and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Marymount University, Arlington, VA (1986). He continued his artwork throughout his 45+ years with the DoD and developed his Home based Studio & Gallery in King George, VA upon retirement in 2014.

Recently, he attended a one week Oil Painting workshop in Cape Cod, MA under the tutelage of Mr. Darrell Crow (Host Artist from MA) and Mr Kevin Hill (visiting Workshop Instructor from CA). During that week in September 2014, Mac created 4 oil paintings and learned some new "Wet on Wet" painting techniques in the style of Bob Ross, William Alexander, and others. Mac continues self-development with online tutorials via You Tube from Darrell Crow studios, Daler Rowney, Art Tutor, and many artists willing to share their knowledge online.

Currently, Mac the Artist is creating additional artwork and provides art instruction to two of his three grandsons at his King George, VA Studio & Gallery.

Inspiration and Passion

Enjoying the exploration of brush strokes on canvas, he loves seeing things and capturing them in a wide variety of mediums. This process of hitting the canvas with paint, then stepping back and seeing it as it comes together is a unique process that allows him to do what he loves and creating something that makes people feel.

Through his artwork, he aims to rekindle people's passion for art. He hopes to convey the beauty of life as he sees it and share that experience with others through his art.

Contact Robert "Mac" McCroskey today in King George, Virginia, for a distinguished contemporary artist.