Neon Nostalgia and 1,900 Masterpieces: Interview with Rob Croxford

Rob Croxford, a self-proclaimed "fancy boy," eschewed the sports early on to embrace his passion for art and design! Since 2004, Rob has dedicated himself solely to his fine art career, refining techniques and honing his unmistakable "artistic voice."

Through two decades and multiple life challenges, he's presented 12 full collections of artwork—that’s almost 1,900 pieces (gasp!)—in nearly 200 juried and solo exhibitions, including The Toronto International Art Fair, The LA Art Fair, The Artist Project, and The One of a Kind Show. Rob’s art can be found in the permanent City of Toronto Art Collectionand private collections all over the world.

In the last few years, Rob has collaborated with iconic names like The Tragically Hip, The Doors, and James Brown. He is currently represented in galleries from Toronto to Prince Edward County, and all the way to Victoria, BC, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas!

Amidst the challenges of today's world, Rob's acrylic paintings serve as beacons of light and joy. His vintage-inspired works merge pop culture with nostalgia, humor, and sometimes a cheeky dose of political commentary.

His latest “Sign Language” series reinvents vintage neon signs with famous film quotes to create something familiar yet completely new! With plans for "total global art domination," Rob invites you to join the journey because, in his world, humor isn't just a luxury—it’s a necessity for survival!

What inspired your "Sign Language" series and the mix of neon, nostalgia, and pop culture?

My Sign Language Series came to life in the most unexpected and chaotic way possible. Nostalgia, text, and humor have always been my artistic love language, and I’ve been snapping photos of neon signs for decades. Despite my best efforts, though, I couldn’t figure out how to inject my trademark “Croxford zaniness” into those pics. Plus, I was already juggling a pretty successful series—so why mess with a good thing, right? Well, the universe had other plans…

Cue the DRAMA: a catastrophic studio fire wiped out everything. Starting over wasn’t optional, so I went back to the drawing board—literally. My first post-fire painting was inspired by the destruction of Toronto’s iconic Honest Ed’s sign. Watching that massive neon come down in pieces felt like a gut punch, and I knew I had to respond. At first, I tried incorporating my own text into the painting. Cute idea, but…meh. Then, on round two, a little magic hit me via the movie Casablanca. By repainting the sign with “Here’s looking at you, kid” on it, it suddenly came to life in a new way—MY way. It popped, it snapped, it zinged—and just like that, the series was born.

How do you stay creative and productive after making nearly 1,900 pieces?

Wine! Just kidding (mostly). But seriously, painting has been my thing forever, and if I’m honest, the “flow state” I get into is the only thing that keeps my anxiety-ridden, ADHD brain from short-circuiting. As for those 1,900 pieces? I didn’t whip them up in a weekend—that’s 21 years of work across a bunch of different series.

When I get bored, I shake things up! I’m always challenging myself within each series to keep things fresh, both for me and for my collectors. Finding new twists keeps the spark alive. Honestly, I’m always way more excited about the next painting than the last one!

Why is humor such an important part of your art?

Humor is my not-so-secret weapon—it’s everything to me! Even on the darkest days (and let’s be real, these days feel like a blackout in a cave), I think there’s always room for a laugh. Humor is the ultimate tool for fighting back against hate and intolerance.

With the daily onslaught of war, genocide, racism, homophobia, misogyny, and the environmental dumpster fire, sometimes the best rebellion is creating something beautiful in the face of all that ugliness—though sometimes it feels like sprinkling glitter on the apocalypse. I truly believe a smile or a laugh can change the narrative of a bad day. If my art can make someone chuckle or feel a little lighter, then I’ve done my job—and that makes me happy.

What’s been the most surprising part of your artistic journey so far?

The most surprising part? That a kid with ADHD and the motor skills of a baby giraffe on roller skates could grow up to make a living as a professional painter! Every day in this career brings something unexpected—whether it’s a new challenge, a creative breakthrough, or just realizing I’ve somehow kept my brushes out of my water.

What really blows my mind is how much I’ve learned about myself through making art. Turns out, the more you express yourself, the more you discover. It’s like free therapy—but with less “How did that make you feel?”

How have your collaborations with bands like The Tragically Hip shaped your art?

These lyrical collaborations have been a fun challenge for me. Music has an amazing ability to evoke emotion and tell stories in unique ways. When you’re surrounded by that level of creativity, it’s impossible not to be inspired. It’s like an energy exchange—I’m influenced by their music, and hopefully, they’re inspired by the art I create in return.

Plus, let’s face it: when you’re working alongside a band that’s practically a national treasure, you can’t help but bring your A-game! These collaborations push me to think differently about my process, take bigger creative swings, and embrace the idea that art, like music, can really mean something to people.

What advice would you give to new artists facing challenges?

Try to meet every challenge with an open heart and ALL your creativity—because spoiler alert: challenges aren’t going anywhere. FOR-EV-ERRR. Trust me, I’ve faced more than my share, and if you let them, challenges can shape you in ways you never expected—even the wonderful ones (results may vary).

The key is not to let a challenge pass by without digging for a solution—or at least a silver lining. Sure, disappointment can be a total creative boner-killer, but with the right attitude, it can also lead to your next big breakthrough. So roll with it—and maybe keep some chocolate nearby for emergencies!