Robert LaDuke was born in 1961 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. LaDuke has fond early memories of time spent with his grandfather, who lived in a house that was over 100 years old at the time. His grandfather was a fascinating companion and the collected items in his historic house allowed for endless childhood exploration memories. His cherished relationship formed a lasting aesthetic that is frequentl...see more »y related through LaDuke's paintings. LaDuke was obsessed with drawing from an early age. He admired many of the great illustrators of the 20th Century - Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish and Norman Rockwell particularly. When he was six years old, the family moved to California. His mother was a homemaker and his father was a salesman who is frequently represented in his artwork. LaDuke is also fascinated with old magazine advertising with life depicted as ideal - bright skies, puffy clouds, the happy American dream softening the realities of life. LaDuke worked a few menial jobs and a stint in junior college. He was then accepted with a full scholarship to the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He began to work with assemblages until his final semester. It was at that point in life when he began to paint and has been painting ever since. LaDuke's work is often compared to Rene Magritte's surreal compositions as there is a certain stillness, humor and spatial resemblance.« see less