Bob Hest is a Minneapolis-based figurative painter whose career spans decades and bridges the disciplines of visual art and music. Hest’s practice is rooted in the belief that strong draftsmanship is the foundation of expressive, character-driven portraiture. Guided early in his education by mentor Jack Youngquist at Moorhead State University, Hest internalized the principle that “drawing comes first”—a mantra that continues to shape his approach today.
Following his academic training, Hest embarked on a multifaceted career in the music and entertainment industries, founding a production company with offices in Minneapolis and Santa Monica. There, he composed and produced original scores for television and theater, with two of his collaborative compositions now held in the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York. After fifteen years in production, Hest returned full-time to the studio, re-engaging his deep commitment to the figure.
His work explores the emotional resonance of the human form, blending technical precision with psychological depth. Influenced by masters such as John Singer Sargent, Hest strives to create portraits that go beyond likeness to capture the essence of his subjects. He paints five days a week out of the historic Casket Arts Building in Minneapolis, producing work that is both rigorous in form and rich in feeling.
Hest’s paintings have been exhibited in galleries and collections across the United States, including recent shows with Iustitia Fine Arts in New York City. His ability to unite classical technique with contemporary sensibility continues to earn him recognition among collectors and curators alike.
