Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Reynolds.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have been painting since I was a little girl. First taking classes in someone’s basement when I was in third grade and lucky enough to receive scholarships to Boston University and The Museum School in high school to take classes on Saturday mornings. I always knew I loved painting and other forms of art, but always hesitated and had doubts as to how I was going to be able to do this full time; to be a “real artist”. That being said, I ended up in the working world, but I was definitely not a 9-5 type person. Eventually I decided to get my master’s degree, thinking I would be a college professor, in addition to gaining more expertise in my chosen path; painting. Luckily it worked out well and I did get an adjunct position at Clark University teaching. I taught for two years but decided I didn’t have the energy or time to paint, teach and be a mom. I gave up teaching to pursue painting full time; or as much time as I could garner, especially after a third baby. Now twelve years later, I am painting and doing some printing and collage work almost every day and can say I love what I do and definitely feel so grateful that I am able to do it.
Please tell us about your art.
I have always painted outside. For the past 8 years that space has mainly been my garden. I am drawn to looking closely at nature and honing in on small, seemingly, irrelevant sections of flowers, tide pools, trees or sky, things that people would just pass by, and giving it a sense of importance. In my paintings I attempt to transform nature and weave a relationship between abstraction and representation. My paintings are all done in oils and are built up in layers over the course of many different sittings. The paintings are never predetermined, but instead they respond to the ever-changing life cycles of flora, tide pools and nature. By returning to the same site, sometimes for years, a poetic mediation occurs with the landscape. In my garden – that I have created, planted and tended – moments of time are forever frozen through my paintings.
When people view my paintings, I hope they are able to transcend back to nature, a place where they can smell, touch and visualize beauty along with contemplating the importance of our ever-changing environment and protecting the trees, flowers, oceans and lifecycles that live within these fragile ecosystems in today’s world.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Being an artist today means you wear many hats; not only do you have to master whatever medium you are working in, but you have to be able to promote your work so people can see it. Years ago, the galleries were the primary source of seeing work, but now with the internet, Instagram, Facebook and all other social media, artwork is instantaneous and one can access art through so many different types of venues; Artsy, Etsy, etc. that you also must be a master with the computer, designing and posting your work for all to see. Personally, I think this all takes so much time away from what most artists deem most important; creating and thinking about making their own work.
The main thing I think cities around the globe can do for today’s artist is keep offering more grants and establishing more affordable housing and studio space, as well as providing greater opportunities to bring the arts in all public spaces.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can see my work in a lot of different venues. Locally, this July, I am in a group show, Flora & Fauna at the Sprinkler Factory in Worcester opening Saturday, July 7, 5-7 pm. If you are traveling to Maine this summer, you can check out Watson Gallery in Stonington, Gallery at Some’s Sound on Mt. Desert Island, or Jesse Tobias Design in Camden, ME. Also, I have work available at Soprafina Gallery in Boston, Gerald Peters Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, The Peanut Gallery in Summit, New Jersey or C. Parker Gallery in Greenwich, CT.
Please visit the galleries or you can always look online at my website at www.robinlreynolds.com or follow me on Instagram at robinreynolds7259 or email me at robinlreynolds@yahoo.com if you have any further questions about my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.robinlreynolds.com
- Email: robinlreynolds@yahoo.com
- Instagram: robinreynolds7259
Image Credit:
Susan Byrne
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