Nov 29 2011
I was recently commissioned to create a seated Buddha painting, which was a really good thing for me because my creative juices hadn’t been flowing much in the two months since I had moved households. Being a home-based Canceran, I seem to take an extra long time to move through such transitions. Focusing on creating [...]
Apr 30 2010
My recent move to a new residence took the wind out of my sails for a bit, especially since I fell prey to a cold almost immediately following my landing. The necessity of making the bills always prevails, so there’s been more time catching up with web clients and planning classes than in the studio [...]
Mar 12 2010
It’s been a while since I’ve created any updates… not because I don’t have anything going on, mind you. More likely, I have TOO much going on, and not enough time to write about it. First of all, I finally decided I’d had enough of trying to get anything done in my dreary basement studio, [...]
Aug 16 2009
(my discoveries at art camp) For the past month, my energy has been consumed by creating websites, teaching classes, and cranking out jewelry and reproductions for art fairs. In the first week of August alone, I did 3 fairs (in Portland, Sellwood, and on the Oregon coast, in Yachats). Summer is the time for this and [...]
Apr 18 2009
My blog entries have been a bit sparse lately. I went through a period of being overly busy with creating websites, then with planning classes, now I’m building walls in my basement studio, and won’t be getting much done in there until the building and re-organization is through. When I find myself overwhelmed with clutter, [...]
Mar 02 2009
I just found out that I sold this painting, “An Intimate Interior” at the local “Love Show” (the 4th annual show of this theme, put on by the Launchpad Gallery). It’s not a new painting, but it fit the theme perfectly. I’ve had little time to paint in recent months, given my multiple-hat approach [...]
Dec 15 2008
The image above is a painting created by Jutta Reichardt. It illustrates the use of an acrylic image transfer, acrylic surface techniques, and stenciled gold leaf that I introduced to my Mixed Media class, taught through Portland Community College last semester. Jutta produced some really amazing work during the class, and I wish my camera [...]
Nov 18 2008
Last Friday, I attended the opening a show at the Launch Pad Gallery in Portland. I was inspired by the quality of the art as well as the appropriateness of the message. Rebecca Shelly’s theme is one that fits our current economic struggles, suggesting that growing our own food can help lead to more independence [...]
Oct 31 2008
I recently finished a new painting, which I’ve decided to title “Cerulean Song”. Cerulean is the variety of blue that dominates the piece, and since it was created specifically for a “blue themed” show, it seems appropriate to give some reference to that. It also seemed significant for music or sound to be a part [...]
Sep 28 2008
This is the artwork I am entering into the “Dreams” show at the Launchpad Gallery, located at 534 SE Oak Street, in Portland. The opening is this Friday, October 3, from 6-10 pm. There’s expected to be over 60 artists showing work in the “dreams theme”. It’s been a while since I’ve created an artwork [...]
Sep 12 2008
Summer is a busy time for me. Between creating websites, creating art, and doing art shows, I manage to keep myself pretty busy. The summer weather is extending through September, for which I am especially thankful. I recall that last year around this time I was already lamenting summer’s end. Fall is gorgeous in Portland [...]
Aug 08 2008
It’s been a long haul this summer. After the three month limbo which finally led to the move to my current home and studio, I had a long process of settling in. Such things are difficult for someone of my Canceran temperament. Since my home is central to all aspects of my expression, I felt [...]
Jun 30 2008
Anyone following my blog must be wondering by now what happened with my moving plans, or if I’ve simply fallen off the face of the earth. It turns out that I was left waiting for a full 3 months for a particular house I’d been waiting to share with some other artists (see details on [...]
May 02 2008
I’ve finally completed painting this belly-cast that was given to me by a woman who is the founder of the Alma Midwifery Center. Actually, it was lent to me, with the purpose of having me paint it for an upcoming event, which will display the artistic transformations of 12 Portland artists. The cast was very [...]
Mar 23 2008
It’s about all I can focus on right now. We got our notice that the house we are currently renting (which has been on the market for a while) has now sold. Looking for housing is such an intensive process, and barely making our bills does not make it any easier. After weeks of hawking [...]
I'm Robin Urton, an artist based in Portland, Oregon... who paints surreal images, often incorporating images of women, birds and the natural world. I also teach art to adult students. I’m creating this blog as a means of externalizing my thoughts regarding the creative process, and documenting some of the life experiences that feed my work. It’s also a way to reach out to other creative people, as a means of establishing a dialogue.
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