Robert wears a lot of hats: artist, muralist, creative, and business owner, but his journey is anything but ordinary. He says, “I named my business ‘Renovaré’ because it means ‘renew’ or ‘restore’ in Latin. Evett and I had just moved to Englewood and were starting over, giving our lives a fresh start. That’s the power I think art has. It can refresh your spirit, and that’s what I do for my clients.”

Robert and Evett are really living the dream. In Englewood, Robert never runs out of projects or inspiration; it’s everywhere he looks.

“It’s hard to describe the urge to create,” Robert says. “This urge is just a part of you, like the need to connect with people. It’s the way you share your views and your life experiences. Honestly, it makes you vulnerable to put your art out there. But if you can bring someone joy, it’s worth it.”

How did it all start? That’s a story in itself.

Evett Vidot Casler grew up in upstate New York, then moved to Orlando in the ’80s to work at Disney resorts. “My very first day in Florida was also my first day working at Disney,” she laughs.

Robert came from Michigan, always dreaming of sun-soaked Florida. He is well-traveled: St. Pete, sailing up to Delaware for a year, then settling in Fort Lauderdale. That’s where he got deep into antique and furniture restoration. Turns out Robert has a knack for color and an eye for detail. Insurance companies hired him to restore flood-damaged furniture. He could carve a missing table leg, gold-leaf a frame, or match finishes so flawlessly that even the pickiest clients went home happy.

Robert eventually settled down and set up his own shop in Orlando, first as a partner, then solo. High-end cabinetry, custom millwork for luxury homes, libraries two stories tall; he finished it all.

The mural work came later, kind of by accident. One client found out he was an artist and asked him to paint a mural. He did, and then the commissions just kept coming, from murals, faux finishes, gorgeous textures, everything. “It really took off in the late ’90s,” Robert remembers.

Each mural tells a story, personalized for whoever’s hiring him. “I always try to find out what people care about,” Robert says. “One guy wanted his very own Catholic chapel at home: stone walls, benches, the whole vibe. Actual stone would’ve weighed too much, so I painted it. I created bevel-cut stone walls, clouds, and cherubs. The room looked like a little Italian church.”

Robert’s work graces the Orange County Courthouse, Rollins College, and the homes of Central Florida’s affluent: think the two-story libraries and in-home movie studio crowd. But the best thing Orlando gave him was meeting Evett. Both busy with their own lives, they finally tied the knot on a boat, of course, and threw their wedding reception out on Cabbage Key.

The Road to Englewood 

They moved to Englewood during COVID, but the transition took time. For a while, Evett commuted between Englewood and Orlando (then Sarasota), while Robert lived on their boat. “Being self-employed makes getting a mortgage tricky,” Robert says, shaking his head. So, he just lived on the boat for three months while everything fell into place.

Now, they call their place “The Osprey House.” It’s exactly what you’d imagine from two creatives: murals everywhere, the house lovingly restored after Hurricane Ian. Out back sits Robert’s two-story with a loft art studio. There’s also a hot tub, a sailboat-inspired bar, and a beach-style lounge area that makes you want to stay forever, sipping mojitos or margaritas.

Robert’s in his element in Englewood. He’s always busy, from working on his plein air paintings around town or on his “Florida Byways” series, capturing scenes from all across the state.

Chances are you’ve seen his work at Pioneer Plaza. That mural on the fence after Hurricane Ian? That’s his. He painted it on the remnants of their shed and fence to raise money for locals. People still come by to sign it. “Together We Shall Overcome.” The colorful mural is part art, part community gathering place.

Robert hates wasting anything. He builds murals from reclaimed wood, using scraps and leftover materials. “I upcycle stuff all the time—job materials, roof scraps, you name it.”

And Robert is not just about the visual arts. He plays guitar and writes his own songs, too. His studio has equipment for music recording. “He’s so good at so many things, it’s hard to keep up,” Evett laughs. “People call him for repeat work and say, ‘We only trust Robert!’”

Earlier this year, Robert finished a mural honoring Virginia B. Andes in Punta Gorda. “One of my clients is a board member at their foundation,” Robert explains. “Virginia was a trailblazer. She worked at IBM during WWII, traveled the country as an engineer, and always thought of herself as an educator. After she retired, she volunteered for decades, helping others, leaving an incredible legacy.”

Always digging deep to tell the story, Robert researched Virginia’s life and work, talking with people who knew her, trying to figure out how to capture her spirit. He decided to paint Virginia teaching, inviting viewers to become part of the scene, and added touches from different stages of her life. The mural feels big and personal at the same time, a real celebration of her impact.

Robert sums it up like this: “Visual art is an ancient form of storytelling.” His mural honors Virginia’s life of service, showing her both as a young professional and as a dedicated volunteer welcoming the next generation.

Even though Robert’s always busy with new projects, he welcomes visitors to his studio. Be prepared, because you’ll probably leave in awe at the sheer range of his work.

Every piece of art has a story, and every artist has a life behind it. Robert Casler’s story is one worth hearing.

For more information or to contact Robert Casler:
Email  Renovareart@gmail.com 

Website Renovareart.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Renovareartist   

YouTube renovareart2333 or call 407-924 6088
Studio visits by appointment, and services include:
* Commissioned art and murals
* Antique and art restorations
* Custom wall finishes such as Venetian plaster and faux finishing

The post Every Painting Tells a Story: Robert Casler’s Story Is a Masterpiece appeared first on Englewood Review.