Original signed print by the artist Robert "Bob" E. Drinon 1933-1999

Description

Artist Robert E. Drinon, who painted portraits of two presidents, died at the age of 65 Wednesday at his home following a long illness. One of nine children born to George and Katherine Clark Drinon of Bangor, Drinon graduated from John Baptist Memorial High School and joined the U.S. Navy, where his work as an artist with the 6th Fleet brought him several letters of commendation.
Drinon, who attended the Boston Art Institute and New York Institute of Fine Art, was commissioned to paint a portrait of John F. Kennedy, which hangs in the Kennedy Library. He also was hired by the Republican Party to do an inaugural seal and portrait of Richard Nixon.
The Bangor native painted the picture that appears on the postage stamp depicting the three astronauts who burned to death on the launch pad in 1967 at Cape Kennedy. He also was hired by Ring Magazine to do a cover illustration of boxer Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay.
Drinon, who taught art in France and at the Art Students League of New York, traveled through the Mediterranean and painted the people and places of Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey. But his favorite subject was the rocky coast of Maine, according to his son Robert of Tampa, Fla.
Drinon, who was featured in Life magazine, worked on the Canadian railroad and held a number of jobs including oil rigger, pipe layer, lumberjack and longshoreman on the Mississippi River.
Sketch is approx 6 inches by 12 inches. Frame is 12 x18 inches