R.N. (Bob) Cohen is an artist based in Portland, Maine, whose paintings, in watercolor and oil, are internationally known. His Congress Square Gallery is home to his work, which is his life’s passion.

Bob has been an active artist since he graduated from the Maine College of Art (MECA) in 1970. Through the early years of his career, he married and raised a family. Although he worked a full-time job for the airlines, he continued painting in his studio at home and sold his work to private collectors. Over time, he built up a loyal base of fans who eagerly looked forward to his new works.

He was able to open his first gallery on Congress St. in Portland in 1988, turning his passion into his full-time pursuit. Over the course of 20+ years, his galleries on Exchange St. and Fore St. were fixtures in Portland’s Old Port before moving to his currently location, back on Congress St. next door to the State Theater, which perfectly suits his needs.

Bob has drawn inspiration from a number of artists and learned a great deal more about the craft – in some cases indirectly, as he did with Peter Rolfe, who got him into working with gouache and showed him how to make his own print reproductions – or directly, having studied in 2005 with American Impressionist master Jerry Fresia at Lake Como, Italy. Through Fresia, Bob tapped into a tradition of Impressionist knowledge that can be traced back to John Singer Sargent and Claude Monet. His output of work in oil gained new prominence at this time.

Most of the scenes in Bob’s works have a personal connection with him: Old Orchard Beach, where he worked summers through school for a buck an hour plus room and board, special Maine landmarks and trips on location to places like Italy and France. He has also created hundreds of works by commission.

RN Cohen Gallery is open Thursday through Saturday from 11-3:30 or by appointment by calling 207-653-1932.

Limited collections of original paintings are on display at:  

Yarmouth Frame & Gallery 750 Route One, Yarmouth, ME 04096 https://yarmouthframeandgallery.com/

Small Wonder Gallery 1 Public Landing, Camden, Maine 04843 www.smallwondergallery.com

“It’s great to do what you love and love what you do. I am truly blessed. Thanks for allowing me to share my memories and paintings with you all these years.”