Robert Brun: Born in Baltimore Maryland, the third of four sons, Mr. Brun's interest in art began even before he had entered the first grade. He has won numerous art awards from kindergarten through high school. Attending the Rhode Island School of Design ( RISD ) in the 1970's where he earned his BFA in Illustration. After several years as a part-time illustrator and employment with an advertising agency, Mr. Brun founded the Independent Pencil Company where over the next 15 years he has been honing his artistic skills. Fascinated by the effects of light on the Maine Seacoast, Mr. Brun uses both oil paint and watercolor to capture seacoast scenes and the changing seasons.