Robbie Graham

A Realism Artist Inspired by Nature

Robbie Graham was born and raised in West Germany. In his late youth, Robbie spent two years in Malaysia and then completed his education in the northeast of England. After graduation, he joined the Royal Air Force and served for eleven years. Robbie was awarded the South Atlantic Medal for his service during the Falklands War.

After leaving the service, Robbie began a career as a police officer, serving as a senior police manager for the Kent Police, South Australia Police and the Royal Cayman Islands Police.

During his career as a police officer, Robbie was inspired by the paintings of Carl Brenders. He decided to take up painting as a hobby. His paintings soon began to attract attention with a local TV program producing a documentary about his art called ‘A Brush with the Law’.

Robbie’s reputation as a wildlife artist grew and soon his paintings were being collected by clients throughout the UK and worldwide.

Public Service

Robbie was born in West Germany where he spent most of his formative years. He spent two years in Malaysia and after finishing his education in the northeast of England, he joined the Royal Air Force and served for eleven years. During that time, he was awarded South Atlantic Medal for his service during the Falklands War.

Robbie subsequently joined Kent Police and has since worn three different police uniforms on three continents. As a senior police manager, he has spent time in Kent Police, South Australia Police and has recently completed four years in The Royal Cayman Islands Police.

Conservation and Charity

Robbie has been a keen conservationist and has helped raise much needed funds for big cats. He has travelled extensively and enjoys photography which helps him when seeking reference for his paintings. For example, he travelled to Borneo to study Orangutans and took over 1100 photographs on that trip. Robbie has also used his art to help raise funds for a number of nonprofit charities, to help tackle human trafficking and tackle domestic violence.

Robbie’s reputation as a ‘photo-realist artist’ grew and his paintings were being collected by clients worldwide. Commissions started to come in and Robbie passion for painting grew. He was selected by a jury to become a ‘Signature Member’ of ‘Artists for Conservation’, a select group of only five hundred artists from twenty-seven countries.

Transition to Painting

Robbie’s professional art career actually started whilst still serving as a police officer. Having been inspired by a book showing the paintings of Carl Brenders, Robbie decided to take up painting as a hobby. As the Borough Commander at Maidstone, he decided to decorate his station with a few of his paintings which made it quite unique and drew much attention! It was at this time that Robbie’s paintings were becoming very popular.

Robbie was approached by Daler Rowney, one of the largest art suppliers in the world, who asked to use his painting ‘Always Alert’ as their header board for their gouache paint range. The image can now be seen in art suppliers worldwide.

Robbie’s paintings started to draw attention and a local TV program wanted to make a documentary about his art and call it ‘A Brush with the Law’!

The Artist

Robbie eventually took the difficult decision to leave the police and take up painting full time. Since then, he has exhibited in Kent and London and his artwork has been featured in magazines and books in the UK and USA.

His painting ‘The Splash’ was selected as a finalist for ‘The British in Art Award’ at the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art. His painting ‘Two for Joy’ was selected to promote the exhibition. Robbie was also a finalist in the 2016 David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year and his painting was displayed in the Mall Galleries London He has provided workshops and presentations to various organisations.

Get In Touch

For enquires regarding any original painting, canvas, or giclee paper prints, please contact Robbie