“When I was 8, I discovered comic books and fell in love with storytelling.  

 When I was 18, I discovered John Singer Sargent and fell in love with painting.”

Growing up as an only child on 4 acres of woodland with plenty of books and a faithful dog, Rob Sample had plenty of opportunities to let his imagination run wild. Drawn to tales of fantasy and adventure, he employs symbolism and narrative in his works, often through figures and animals, to address the universal themes of mortality, change and acceptance.

Primarily interested in drawing and painting, Rob expresses himself through charcoal and oils. He strives for a strong sense of realism in his works, with a focus on shape and value. The medium and surface also play an important role in his process, as Rob favors the bold and expressionistic mark making of a direct alla prima approach.


Curriculum Vitae

Education:

  • Towson University, Art Education, 2005-2007

  • University of Delaware, BFA:Painting, 2001-2005

Residence:

  • Clayton, DE

Awards:

  • Delaware Division of the Arts - Established Artist Fellowship Grant - Painting, 2025

Exhibitions:

  • Paragons, Solo show, Talleyville Frame Shoppe and Gallery, Talleyville, DE, 2025

  • Strange Days and Lowbrow Dreams, Two-man show with Paul F. Cava, Painted Stave Distilling, Smyrna, DE, 2024

  • Sense, Sentiment, and Wonder, Solo show, Painted Stave Distilling, Smyrna, DE, 2019

Group Exhibitions:

  • The Sky’s the Limit, Smyrna Opera House, Smyrna, DE, 2025

  • Award Winners XXV - Fellowship Show, travelling exhibition - 

    • Biggs American Museum of Art, Dover, DE, 2025

    • Historic Odessa Foundation, Odessa, DE, 2025

    • Rehoboth Art League, Rehoboth, DE, 2025

  • Coffin Ball 2024, Talleyville Frame Shoppe and Gallery, Talleyville, DE, 2024

  • 86th Annual Members Fine Art Exhibit, Rehoboth Art League, Rehoboth, DE, 2024

  • Wicked Winter 2023, Talleyville Frame Shoppe and Gallery, Talleyville, DE, 2023

  • Delaware State Employee Art Show, DSU Art Center and Gallery, Dover, DE, 2023

  • Big Little Art Show 2022, Talleyville Frame Shoppe and Gallery, Talleyville, DE, 2022

  • Wicked Winter 2020, Talleyville Frame Shoppe and Gallery, Talleyville, DE 2020

  • Big Little Art Show 2019, Talleyville Frame Shoppe and Gallery, Talleyvile, DE, 2019

  • 155th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA, 2018

  • Delaware Fun-a-Day, Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington, DE, 2018

  • Delaware State Employee Art Show, DSU Art Center and Gallery, Dover, DE, 2015

  • Delaware State Employee Art Show, DSU Art Center and Gallery, Dover, DE, 2014

  • Phillustration 6, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA, 2013

  • Phillustration 5, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA, 2012

  • Phillustration 4, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA, 2011

Collections:

  • Caesar Rodney School District, District Office

  • Delaware State Parks, Cape Henlopen Visitor Center

  • Talleyville Frame Shoppe and Gallery

Teaching:

  • Caesar Rodney High School

    • Fine Arts Department Chair, 2020 - Present

    • Lead Visual Art Teacher, 2007 - Present

  • Delaware Technical and Community College

    • Adjunct Drawing Instructor, 2024 - Present