Despite Rob Ford’s childhood penchant for painting on walls and rugs, the young artist was encouraged by his family to continue creating. While Ford attended art college, he felt pushed into focusing on more modern art movements, like Abstract Expressionism, because his peers looked down on the Neo-Classicism and Pre-Raphaelite movements. Though at times art college felt restrictive, Ford completed his courses with a greater knowledge and passion for art. After completing college, Ford looked for a job in which he could use his painting skills. After much persistence, Ford landed a position designing murals for a company that specialized in theme restaurants. After spending a few years with the company, Ford had developed the confidence to being painting full time for private sales.

Some of Ford’s favorite artists include Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Delacroix, and Abstract Expressionists like Mark Rothko. His greatest inspiration comes from his local landscape and the way the light and seasons change the terrain over the course of a year.