Whether it’s larger-than-life murals or a collage of circuits forming a robot, Gregory Arth captivates the imagination by exploring the beauty of technology.

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Arth and his family moved to Texas when he was 2 years old. The young Arth demonstrated talent in drawing and painting. When he traveled to Europe in the mid-1970s to visit his family, he was awed by the artwork he viewed. He became fascinated by works from John Singer Sargent, Gustav Klimt, Michelangelo, Raphael, Van Gogh as well as African art.

Arth’s father, a geophysicist, discouraged him from becoming an artist, but Arth couldn’t deny or curtail his creativity. He studied drama and art in high school, then later at the American School in London and the University of Texas Arlington. He designed sets, theatrical backdrops, murals and paintings.

His art and drama experiences led to him designing sets and backdrops for movie studios, ballets, operas and companies including Six Flags Corporation and Cinemark Theaters.

The concept of using circuit boards originated in the early 1990s when Arth observed circuit boards and felt they resembled aerial views of cities. He gathers his supplies through recycling companies dealing in computer parts, often searching for specific shapes, colors and unusual pieces to incorporate.

Arth loves the fascinating textures and complexity of the circuit boards, often using them to portray themes of technology. He creates robots and “space cowboys” and has expanded the series to American flags and cityscapes.

Arth’s works are displayed in galleries, offices and restaurants and are collected around the world. In 2015, he was the official artist for the spring Bayou City Art Festival in Houston.

“I’ve been asked many times why I do what I do. I can’t say I know exactly,” Arth says. “I was born with the need to create things.”

Arth and his family make their home in Colleyville near Ft. Worth, Texas.