Over 25 years, oil painting has become Robyn’s favourite medium, however she also loves pencil drawings, pastel, & acrylic painting.
In 2024, Robyn studied at the Angel Academy in Florence for an intensive month-long workshop. This followed on from her former studies with an Angel Academy teacher who conducted workshops in Australia - twice foe a month each.
In 2020, Robyn & her husband settled to the beautiful Noosa Hinterland in Queensland from Launceston. Growing up in Western Victoria, spending many years in Melbourne & spending a significant amount of time living in Asia has coloured Robyns view of the world.
Robyns passion and fascination of Fine Art has led her on a path to study of techniques of the traditional Old Masters, and fine art techniques involving realism. She began a Fine Arts degree, but sought to learn what the Art Schools didn't teach, so finding great teachers and following her passion became a focus. Along the way, Robyn had a lot of fun trying different styles and producing a solid body of work. Robyn has studied extensively with many teachers including Daniel Greene portrait artist in New York & Martinho Correia, modern realism teacher who is in Florence, Italy.
The technical aspects of drawing & painting have a significant attraction and influence on Robyns work. She has strived to learn these Fine Art techniques. Realism of various forms have evolved in her art, sometimes looser brush strokes in landscapes, fine pencil drawings and ultra fine Old Masters techniques in others. Portraits, figurative works and landscapes are Robyns chosen subject matter.
Inspiration comes from life, both in human-kind & nature. Most commonly Robyn utilises the world around her, capturing life in her own photographs to work on back in the studio. Life models and sometimes professional photographs are referenced. Inspiration for subject matter is a rather nebulous thing for Robyn. It might involve a feeling, a relatability, a ‘wow’ moment or perhaps the desire to have a go at something that may be a ‘challenge'.
As an ongoing mission Robyn works towards more modern day applications of the traditional styles.
Robyn was a finalist in the Figurative Art Prize and had a portrait accepted at the Salon des Refuses, both held at the Royal Queensland Art Society. She also participated in the Noosa Open Studio Artist Trail in 2021 & 2022.
Education - Art Studies:
Studied Fine Arts degree at Curtin University in Western Australia for two years via OLA, 1990's
5 weeks (approx 175 hours) of intensive oil portrait workshops in New York with world renowned portrait artist Daniel Greene over 3 years , 2001- 2003
Studied Japanese Sumi-E for 4 years in Tokyo
Various teachers in Tokyo, Singapore & Indonesia in drawing, watercolour, & oil painting for over 10 years 1992- 2002
Classes at Brighton Art Society (Melbourne), under various teachers 2002 - 2014 including Effie Bramald, Craig Penny, Clive Sinclair, Agata Lelek, Herman Pekel.
Classes in Launceston Tasmania 2015 - 2016 with Leoni Duff & with Darren Meader.
Portrait intensive 4 week workshop with Martinho Correia of Italy/Canada 2016, studying "Principles of Portrait Drawing" and "Methods of Traditional and Contemporary Portrait Painting" (Oil) Nov 2016
Month long portrait workshop with Martinho Correia Nov-Dec 2018 in Launceston, Tasmania studying "Drawing the figure in the Grand Manner - Gesture & Anatomy" & "Contemporary Figure Painting using Bouguereau's Method" (Oil) 2018
Workshop intensive - Technical aspects of lighting and seeing forms, 2 weeks by Louise Fenely, in Hobart, Artist from Adelaide, January 2019.
Online 4 day portraiture workshop with Martinho Correia, March 2020.
Online Workshop Caravaggio's Late Painting Method, 5 weeks, by tutor from Angel Academy Florence Italy, Martinho Correia, Jan 2021
Online Workshop Bougeureau & the Perfect Painting Method, 5 weeks, by tutor from Angel Academy Florence Italy, Martinho Correia, March 2021
Online Workshop Portrait Painting from Photos, 5 weeks, by tutor from Angel Academy Florence Italy, Martinho Correia, Dec 2021
Affiliations:
Current:
Royal Queensland Art Society, Petrie Gallery, Brisbane, Queensland
Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, Queensland
Noosa Open Studios, Queensland.
Robyn was a member of:
Brighton Art Society, Victoria 2004 - 2019
Brighton Art Society Committee Member 2006 - 7, 2007 - 8.
Member of Launceston Art Society Tasmania, 2015 - 2019
Committee Member, Launceston Art Society 2017 - 2018.
Exhibitions and Awards:
Finalist, Salon des Refuses, Royal Brisbane Art Society, Oct 2022
Noosa Open Studios ArtTrail, Participant, October 2022
Studio's 100 Exhibition at the Butter Factory, Cooroy Qld, Sept 2022
Finalist Figurative Art Prize, RQAS at Petrie Gallery, Brisbane July 2022
Exhibition one landscape in RQAS 'Brisbane Landmarks, Landscapes & Personalities', Jan 2022
Noosa Open Studios ArtTrail, Participant, October 2021
Exhibition of two art works, Cooroy Butter Factory, Dec 2020
"Novice Prize" (First time Exhibitor) at the Launceston Art Society inc., Meandering, Meander Valley 'Vital Signs' Art Exhibition, September 2016.
• Exhibited four art works at Warrnambool East Rotary Art Show, Sept 2016. Honourable mention for framing, one Art work sold.
• First Prize, for "Dennington Cows", Acquisitive prize for Hodges Real Estate in the Brighton Art Society Annual Show, November 2014. Exhibited four works.
• Second Prize Acrylic for "Red Wine!", Warrnambool East Rotary Annual Art Show, October 2014. Exhibited 6 works.
"Best First Time Exhibitor at Warrnambool" for "Melissa", oil, Rotary Club Art Show, Nov 2007.
• Exhibition of four art works at East Warrnambool Rotary Club Art Show, Nov. 2007.
• "Highly Commended (2nd Prize) Best Oil Portrait or Nude" for "Something Formal", oil, Brighton Art Society Annual Show Nov 2007,
• Exhibition of four art works, Brighton Art Society Annual Show, Nov 2007.
• Exhibition of one work, AGRA, Sept 2007.
• Exhibition of four art works, Brighton Rotary Club Annual Show, August 2007.
• Exhibition of four art works, Brighton Art Society Annual Show, Nov 2006.
• “Best Portrait” for “Michel” pencil drawing – Brighton Art Society Annual Show November 2005.
• Exhibition of four art works, Brighton Art Society Annual Show, Nov 2005.
• First Prize – Brighton Art Society Annual Casserole Night; one term class value approx $100 for “Coffee” pencil drawing, August 2005
• Exhibition of two works in the “Best of Brighton Art Society” at Bayside City Council, Sandringham, “A Quiet Read” pastel , “Kenneth” acrylic on board, July 2005
• Best in Show – Highly Commended – “A Quiet Read” pastel, in Exhibition by Brighton Art Society, Exhibition of four works. November 2004
• Exhibition 4 works in the Camberwell Rotary Art Show 2004
. Exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, of 18 works, with one other Artist, opened by the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia; November 2003