Bob Thoresen is a multidisciplinary artist whose abstract compositions reflect a lifelong engagement with structure, emotion, and the complexities of public life. With early training in architecture and a professional legacy in urban planning, Thoresen brings a uniquely spatial and civic sensibility to his work.

He first turned to art during his military service in the Vietnam War era, using collage and mixed media to process personal and political unrest. His artistic vocabulary—marked by bold color, layered surfaces, and the incorporation of found materials—evokes both immediacy and introspection. Influenced by mid-20th-century abstractionists like Richard Diebenkorn, Thoresen’s work bridges gestural expression with deliberate formal design. His pieces often explore social and political themes and have been widely exhibited, juried into prestigious regional shows, and acquired by private and public collections alike.

A respected figure in New Hampshire’s cultural landscape, Thoresen has served as president of the New Hampshire Art Association and played a foundational role in establishing the NH Charitable Foundation’s Artist Advancement Grant. His curatorial work and long-standing commitment to arts advocacy have shaped the region’s artistic community for decades. Honors such as a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, an honorary American Institute of Architects membership, and multiple design awards underscore his contributions across disciplines. Whether working en plein air, from studio reference, or in response to current events, Thoresen continues to produce work that is both visually arresting and deeply engaged with the world it reflects.