271 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879
Ph: 401-783-0770
Email: crokerandgriffin@msn.com
A R T + D E S I G N
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Having painted most of my life it has become clear to me that it is my Australian identity which colors the character of my work. During the 1970's, while living and painting in the remote northwest region of Western Australia, in a vast area called the Pilbara, I was fortunate to come under the tutelage of prominent Australian artist George Haynes. I was able to paint alongside him as he interpreted the harsh landscape of the Pilbara and was forever influenced by his use of color and culling of the landscape to its bare essentials.
I have painted many subjects and tend to do so in "series" as one canvas never seems large enough to contain the energy I have for whatever subject I select to paint. Hence, fruits, florals, landscapes, and more recently, memory abstracts, are all done with the same burst of creative energy.
One uniting characteristic I recognize between my current work and that of the 1970's is my love of color. I can also see an energy of line that has somehow become part of my "memory abstract" paintings. Recently these have developed into what I now see are layers or weavings of color which represent the experiences of my life.
As I continue to develop different ways to express myself through my art, I feel a desire to paint again in oil as I did twenty years ago. Maybe a combination of acrylic and oil would serve to unite my Australian and American influences.
I must say that to have a love of painting--and to now recognize how it serves me as a way to express my emotions--is an exciting gift to cherish and I now appreciate all the complexities that go with that gift.
I feel very fortunate....
On Exhibit: April 2nd through May 16th
Robin Grace - Abstractions on Canvas
Robin studied Primary Education at Claremont Teachers College, Western Australia (1963-64) and Fine Art at Connecticut College, New London, CT (1986-88). She taught in the Creative Arts Program run by the Eugene O'Neil Theater in Waterford, CT in 1988 and as an Art Teacher in the West Australia School System from 1989 to 1991. She's been living and working in West Kingston, RI for the past 6 years.
Past Representation:
Charlestown Gallery, Charlestown, RI
Hourglass Gallery, Melrose, MA
Judy Pascal & Associates, Portland, ME
Awards:
Best in Show, WLBZ2 Sidewalk Art Festival, Bangor, ME (2008 & 2007)
Overall Best in Show, Hygienic Outdoor Art Festival, New London, CT (2008)
Several Juried Awards from South County Art Association (2007-08)
