The Heartbreak of Static Cling (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781590929940)

In the heart of mid-1960s New York, Robert embarks on his freshman year at the School of Visual Arts, where he is introduced to the iconic Andy Warhol and his menagerie of fabulous crackpots. Robert finds another home in Max's Kansas City, the pulsating core of the city's creative underbelly, with superstars burning so bright they self-destruct right before his eyes.

Malcolm Morley, Robert's former instructor, secures a prestigious commission to paint England's Prime Minister and invites Robert to join him as an assistant. Robert's European escapades are filled with serendipitous meetings and collaborations with a cast of characters as vivid and dynamic as any he'd encountered in New York.

This speeding bullet thrill ride continues throughout Robert's career on Madison Avenue, becoming an executive creative director on top of his game at a world-acclaimed advertising agency, and he's front and center with the famous: Jennifer Connelly, Jerry Hall, Mick Jagger, Antonio Lopez, Bill King, Truman Capote, and more. A twist of fate introduces him to Don Hall, the love of his life, with whom he builds a remarkable existence. Together they become a major force in the fight against AIDS until tragedy strikes, leaving Robert to navigate the depths of grief and rediscover his purpose in Los Angeles.

With a twisted sense of humor and love for the absurd, Robert faces life's harshest trials-including multiple battles with cancer, surviving a cult kidnapping, and enduring the agony of loss during the AIDS crisis-his indomitable spirit and quirky humor seeing him through. Through a series of astoundingly outrageous and unexpected events, fueled by his unwavering dedication to his loved ones, Robert finds a reason to fight and move forward, determined to overcome his biggest challenge: to free himself from grief's paralyzing static, clinging to his soul.