Bob Byerley--Painter of Our American Childhood
Bob Byerley is one of the foremost painters of children today. Considered a modern day Norman Rockwell, Bob's nostalgic Trompe l'Oeil (fool-the-eye-realism) oil paintings evoke a feeling of a kinder and gentler age in which he grew up.
His classical ultra realistic interpretations of the everyday experiences of the child, awakens in the viewer, long forgotten memories.
The art combines precise academic painting techniques of the Old Dutch Masters with the heart and soul of Norman Rockwell.
Byerley's children are real, not fabricated or cutsie. In his paintings, imagination abounds. His children interact naturally with fairies, elves and surrealistic imaginary animals. He paints children doing things rather than viewing things; his kids are alive with vitality and mischief.
All his paintings have a story behind them
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The Daredevil
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    Wendell Kraft looked out of his barber shop window and said to his customer in the chair, "Bill, look across the street, sitting in front of the hardware store….do you know who that is? I had no idea he was still around! I went to see him when I was just a kid, Bill. That’s Donnie Dunbar. Donnie “Daredevil” Dunbar, Worlds Greatest Motorcycle Daredevil. How old do you think he is now? I see the flyers on his truck says he’s appearing August 7th through 9th out at the Fairgrounds. I remember when he was a headliner for the Barnum and Bailey Circus. He’s handing out autographed photos; looks like he can still draw the kids. "He was a hero Bill.... he was a real Hero."
The Bean Ball  
    His first pitch came perilously close to her head and she backed quickly away from the plate. His second pitched ball just brushed the bill of her cap as she judiciously hit the dirt. She would not be intimidated. Her eyes narrowed as she dug in and stared menacingly at "lightning" Artie Dunbar. The sign, the windup, the delivery and............... Hannah Smith was halfway to the pitcher’s mounted with her answer to "The Bean Ball"
 
 
These are just a few of a large number of prints I have on HAND: