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Robert Trent

MFPA Member Artist

Born: 1959
Lives in: Southampton
Painting style: Mouth and painter
Subjects: Scenery, Landscape, Water

Robert Trent was born with arthrogryposis, a condition affecting the joints and muscular development. From the age of 6 he attended Chailey Heritage Special School where he was taught to be as independent as possible and where he first developed an interest in art, encouraged by an early tutor who recognised his potential.

However, painting took a back seat as Rob excelled at academic subjects and was determined to achieve the qualifications that would enable him to be financially independent. After gaining a BSc in Information Systems Rob began working for Ordnance Survey in Southampton and began painting again in his spare time. Rob joined the MFPA as a Student member in 1998 and was delighted to see one of his paintings of the Houses of Parliament chosen as a Christmas card image.

In 2021 Rob became a full Member Artist.

Rob took early retirement from Ordnance Survey in June 2018 and is now free to devote as much time as possible to his painting. Rob is married to Kim and the couple have a daughter, Yasmin. Rob has developed a distinctive style that is especially suited to landscapes. Rob drives his own specially adapted vehicle from his wheelchair allowing Kim and Rob to travel further afield in search of inspirational landscapes to paint.

‘I was introduced to the MFPA as early as my sixth year by a home tutor who encouraged me to paint by holding the brush in my mouth. Since then I have loved painting, and the MFPA has given me the freedom to develop as an artist’
Rob Trent