Rock Newcomb

 I paint using the medium of acrylics on the support called Clayboard. I work primarily with semi-opaque colors and very thin washes of acrylics, using techniques I acquired during years of working with oils and transparent and opaque watercolors.

My subjects have generally been narrowed to two content areas: historic and prehistoric artifacts, and wildlife. I seem to have a natural affinity with these subjects having spent all of my life in the American West.

I have been working on my Native American artifact series in an effort to raise the awareness level of the the public to the beauty inherent in the technology of the ancients. This is especially important in view of the fact that so many of the public collections of these artifacts have been hidden away due to legislation and politics. 

I discovered my first genuine, South-Central Idaho artifact, a perfect Shoshone obsidian arrowhead, while following the path of a Ford tractor and single blade plow being driven by my father. I then found the remnants of just about every Native American campground within a two mile radius of our homestead. 

I was raised on a ranch in southern Idaho with all manners of wildlife literally at our doorstep. Sadly, much of the wildlife we took for granted has disappeared during the past five decades. My paintings, which incorporate wildlife, are an attempt to raise the awareness level of the public, concerning our actions and activities surrounding the welfare of our wilderness friends. 

Limited edition prints and giclee prints of my images are signed and numbered, and are printed on both archival paper, and archival canvas. 

Rock was born in Oakland, CA, on a military base, and shortly thereafter, moved with his family to Nebraska. Fishing on the Republican River with his father, uncles, and cousins, and exploring the outdoors with his friends, are fond memories of Newcomb’s early childhood days. At age 8, Rock and his family moved to Idaho where the family had drawn a homestead, and proceeded to break-out the gagrebrush, level the land, and install irrigation systems to begin farming. Milking cows moving and evening was part of Rock’s daily routine as well as working in the fields. Hawks, eagles, badgers, coyotes, foxes, and other wildlife were encountered daily and provide him with an appreciation of the environment. Newcomb began drawing at an early age, encouraged by his family, especially his grandmother. 

Active in athletics in high school, Rock was star quarterback on the football team, and state wrestling champion. Involved with Debate, Speech, and Government, he served as Student Body Vice-President, and won many accolades with the Debate and Speech teams.

Leaving home at age 18 to work in a gasoline service station was better than milking cows and farming, but Rock soon decided that pursuing a formal eduaction was more important. He briefly attended Idaho State University before moving to Southern California to enroll at California State University, Fullerton, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Art. Newcomb has been involved in education for many years teaching high school art, adult education classes, and conduction workshops and seminars. 

In addition to teaching full-time for many years, Rock also pursued his career as a professional artist. He is accomplished in many media, including scratchboard, acrylic, watercolor, and gouache. There is an ever increasing demand for his works, many of which are commissioned pieces. 

Exhibitions include the Smithsonian Institute, The Swedish Museum of Natural History, Leigh Yavkey Woodson Art Museum “Birds in Art”, and “Wildlife: The Artist’s View,” Arts for the Parks Top 100, and Top 200 Show, The Zoological Society of San Diego, Kimball Art Center, Christie’s of London, and Sotheby’s of Sussex, England “International Wildlife in Art” sale. Newcomb wins recognition, and numerous awards and honors in national and international juried shows and exhibitions.  His works are  included in the permanent collections of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, and the Phippen Museum, in Prescott, AZ.

In addition to his original paintings, reproductions of his images can be seen on limited edition prints, posters, greeting cards, magnetic notepads, notecards, clothing, needlepoint patterns, wall coverings, puzzles, coasters, calendars, porcelain collector plates and instructional video tapes. Galleries throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, and Australia represent Newcomb’s original works and limited edition prints and. Posters. Mill Pond Press, Inc, a Florida based art publishing and licensing firm, has marketed his work in conjunction with Newcomb’s late wife and business agent, Cody.