The Accidental Painter Robert Tabor's journey into the world of fine art began unexpectedly at the age of 51. Originally a traveling paint salesman from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his path shifted during the Great Depression in 1933. Following the accidental damage of a reproduction of Winslow Homer's The Herring Net, Tabor turned to his own canvas. Though his initial attempts were discarded as failures, he eventually gained the respect of his family and found a place within the Public Works of Art Project. Despite the reservations of Grant Wood, who admitted it was against his better judgment to a…