ABOUT ROGER IKER
After graduating from the University of Texas Arlington, Roger decided on a career in art and was determined to be classically trained by studying under acclaimed masters. In the early 1970’s, he studied color theory under Texas State Artist Renne Hughes for three straight years before beginning his career as a professional artist.
In conjunction with the launching of his career, he began and completed a course in The Principles and Elements of Design under nationally renowned artist Ramon Froman of the Art Students League of New York. Ramon was also a member of the prestigious Salmagundi Club of New York. After this, he practiced his skills for another ten years before deciding to make a career move by using his gift to help people. He chose to pursue a career in Art Therapy by studying for his masters at New Rochelle College. In conjunction with his studies, he was offered a place to practice his craft with a ministry in Chicago Ill. He worked in the ministry for almost seven years before being called to another ministry; the ministry of his first love working as an easel artist.
Over the course of time he has been blessed with the opportunity to be accepted by some fine galleries and prominent collectors. It was his relationship with the Country Store Gallery in Austin, Texas in the early 1980’s that gave him his introduction to the collectors of Texas and placed his paintings in the collections of Governors and prominent men such as Governor Dolph Brisco and Darrell Royal, head football coach and dynasty builder at the University of Texas. His Paintings can be found in the collections of state representatives, wealthy oilmen, city governments, business leaders as well as the The Medford Collection in Lufkin City Hall, Lufkin,TX. and the Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon, TX.
During his years with the Country Store Gallery in Austin, he was also blessed to be in a stable of fine artists such as Melvin Warren, Eduardo Cortes, G. Harvey, Dalhart Winberg, Porfirio Salinas, Joe Radar Roberts, Jose Atsara, A.D. Greer and many more. He was also fortunate enough to be under the guiding hand of gallery owner Raymond Brown who had a keen eye for good art and the willingness to share that eye and his good art with a young protégé.
Upon returning to the easel, his painting “Poppin Brush” was selected for the Texas Longhorn Association 2006 Calendar’s cover. In late 2006, two of his Texas landscape paintings were selected for a group show at the Arlington Museum of Art in Arlington, Texas. Roger recently participated in a workshop under the guidance of Bruce Greene and Martin Grelle, two of today’s most prominent and nationally recognized western artists. He has also completed several murals in the Fort Worth Stockyards. His work is once again finding their way into back into many important collections.
All images Copyrighted 2006 by RDI Publishing