Robert Wood was born in Sandgate, England on March 24, 1889. Robert first studied painting with his father, W.J. Wood, and at age 12 entered the South Kensington School of Art. He immigrated to Los Angeles in 1912 but led an itinerant existence painting and living all over the United States. Working from coast to coast, he painted California landscapes, Southwestern desert scenes, the High Sierras, the Grand Tetons, Texas bluebonnets, in Florida and the Woodstock area of New York.

From 1924 he was based in San Antonio, Texas where he gained a national reputation. In 1941 Wood settled in Laguna Beach and executed many paintings of Southern California landscapes. In the 1960's he moved to Bishop, California where he remained until his death. During the 1960's his works were reproduced into prints and were sold by the millions across the country bringing him great fame. Robert Wood died on March 14, 1979.