Although showing artistic abilities as a child, Robert Sholties did not seriously pursue an art career until his early 20’s. He discovered that contemplating random splashes of paint led to the visualization of entire works, or interrelating fragments that could be used to produce a single piece. The results occasionally, and somewhat mysteriously, would reflect current world events, or even prove to appear prophetic. Over 40 years, his work has evolved from elaborate black and white doodles to increasingly detailed figurative paintings. He is totally self-taught. His work is a commentary on our human existence -- our relations with each other, other living things, and our environment. He has had an ongoing self and formal education in the Sciences, with particular interests in our alteration of the natural world. He tends to explore the hypocrisies, cruelties, and absurdities prevalent in our dealings with each other and with nature. In general, he envisions a rather dark world, but still tries to make room for beauty, hope, and humor. One can recognize relationships among the images within individual pieces, but as in dreams, there are usually mysteries which are open to interpretation. He has always been intrigued by the Surrealists, but does not consider himself a Surrealist. His work is in a number of private collections as well as the Smithsonian.