R. B. Hamilton grew-up in Summit, New Jersey, and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He retired as corporate vice president of public affairs for Abbott Laboratories in Chicago, and moved to North Carolina in 1992,. He has since been honored for the development and re-construction of historic buildings in downtown New Bern, North Carolina. He also helped start CoastalNet, at one time the state's largest Internet Service provider, and served as its marketing director. Hamilton specializes in marine life. Several years ago he started collecting old prints of fish and water birds, which inspired him to create his own "fish prints." He began by attempting to paint every species of fish he caught in the creek. So far he has identified and painted over two dozen different fish along with crabs and water birds.

A self-taught artist, Hamilton has won Best-in-Show and First-Place (in acrylic mediums) for his work in various art shows. His wife, interior designer Betsy Drake, has expanded his art to include pocketbooks, totes, towels, and designer pillows. Hamilton's original art, limited edition reproductions, designer pillows and pocketbooks can be seen in fine gift shops, home furnishing stores, and galleries throughout the United States.