Some people just have a better alignment of the right and left sides of the brain than others – whether they master scientific analysis and artistic prowess, or they juggle business dexterity with creative flair. Such is the case for Bryan H. Roberts.

Roberts earned his master’s degree in geology/micropaleontology from Virginia Tech before landing a job as a petroleum geologist for Amoco Corporation in New Orleans. In 1989, he accepted a buyout and moved to Chicago to be with his now-wife Linda. Shortly thereafter, Linda’s job transfer brought the couple to Columbus.

The buyout, marriage and moves inspired Roberts to embrace another major change – pursuing a career as a collector of historical painting and furniture. He initially opened an antiques and fine arts store in Canal Winchester and, after five years, opened the Bryan H. Roberts Gallery, on Drexel Avenue in Bexley.

“I have always been interested in antiques and historical paintings and I thought it would be an interesting transition to go from the predictable corporate world to exploring art,” he says.

His father collected early furniture, which Roberts says planted his initial seed of interest. But what inspired that seed to grow was his job as a corporate man.

“When I was in that world at Amoco, I was making money and able to start collecting art myself. I enjoyed the daylights out of it – the sort of horse trading idea and the serendipity factor,” Roberts says. “And when you think of it, my job as a geologist was to explore for oil prospects and this isn’t that much different – they’re both treasure hunts.”

Roberts has been representing fine arts treasures at his gallery since 1996. About five years ago, he decided to try his hand at creating his own work. The idea proved fruitful – he sold his first painting in a matter of months and several more of his American impressionist-inspired works soon followed.

Roberts delved into the production side of art on a bit of a whim. He bought multiple books with a “how-to” focus, researched and soaked in the work he owned.

“I was looking at so much great art daily for 15 years and the desire to do it myself was building,” he says.

His work is influenced by the Cape Ann school/American impressionism artists such as Mark Gingerich, who is represented by the Roberts Gallery, and Kevin Macpherson. Like these artists, he tends to gravitate toward harbor/coastal subject matter.

“They’re picturesque and interesting visually,” Roberts says.

Roberts believes he is one of only a few gallery owners/artists in the area, but his main focus remains on the original business model.

“It’s not a bad thing to be able to produce your own inventory for the gallery, and I’m doing well for the most part and selling paintings,” he says. “But my work is not the center of my gallery. My first priority is to sell the work of the artists I represent.”

His business goals entail keeping the number of artists low – focusing on quality and not quantity – and adequately promoting them.

On a personal level, Roberts may try to obtain gallery representation of his own work in another city. He says he would also like to loosen up a bit more in his painting style, try some post-impressionism techniques and continue to improve by painting every day.

“I really believe that once you have all of the basics, you just have to get in front of the easel and do it. The more you paint, the better you’ll be,” Roberts says. “This is something I can always keep doing and if I never sell another painting, that’s fine because I just love to paint.”

For more information about Roberts’ work, visit www.robertsgallery.com.  

Alicia Kelso is editor of CityScene.