Art has not only been a profession for Robert Semler, it has been a way of life. Robert studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA, majoring in figure and portrait art. The majority of his career was spent in the publishing and illustration field. In 1992, he decided to devote more of his time to fine art and has been specializing since then in maritime and portrait art. He was an Adjunct Professor of Art at Gloucester County College, Sewell, NJ and is a certified instructor with the Portrait Institute, founded by America's Portrait Artist, John Howard Sanden and his wife Elizabeth.

He is a longtime Artist member of the American Society of Marine Artists and served as their president for 5 years. Robert is also a member of the NY Society of Illustrators, the Portrait Society of America and COGAP: the United States Coast Guard Art Program.

In addition to his marine art, portraits and teaching, Robert has also been the official "Hall of Fame" poster artist for the Philadelphia Flyers/Philadelphia Phantoms NHL Hockey Clubs since 1989.