Rob Rey

Excited to be a featured artist at Gen Con this year!

Introducing the Gen Con 2026 Featured Artists – The Official Gen Con Blog The annual Gen Con Art Show honors the creativity, craftsmanship, and imagination that bring our favorite worlds to life through stunning visuals. From far-reaching fantasy realms to striking sci-fi dreamscapes and beyond—the Gen Con Art Show is a sanctuary for visual revelations, where every comp...

Observation
24 x 20 in, 2014

Science is more than a body of knowledge, it’s a way of thinking.

Early philosophers used to believe we could understand the world simply by thinking about it, that what made sense to us must be true. But, Observation showed us that the universe often does not conform to our expectations or desires. It doesn’t matter how much we wish something to be true, how beautiful a theory is, or who came up with it. To find out what is true we have to look and pay attention to how the universe really works.

The methods of science have pulled humanity out of dangerous superstitions and entrenched ignorance. They have allowed us to find real solutions to stubborn problems from hunger and disease to communication. In the scientific method, Observation leads the way. We may not always like what we see, particularly if it runs against our cherished beliefs, but if we accept it with humility, we will find ourselves better able to confront the problems we face.

Flyby
16 x 12 in, oil on panel
This painting also debuted, and sold, at the IX Art Show last month. Prints Available

The first step to landing on a new world is getting a closer look.

The Moon landing can remind us that in the face of daunting challenges, the human capacity for reason provides a light of hope. Our abilities to understand the world around us through scientific methods, to develop new technology, and to plan for the future have made us the first species in Earth’s four and a half billion year history to bring life to the moon.

Clearly, no single person could have reached the moon on their own. Our species ability to work together is one of our greatest assets. Collectively, we have the power to improve our lives: to produce more food, to cure disease, and respond to major threats. When we work together, we can accomplish amazing feats, and overcome obstacles that would doom other species. Yet, these gifts of evolution do not guarantee success. When we act with careless disregard for our biosphere, or when we put our energies into fighting each other, we also have the ability to defeat ourselves. Where will we go from here?