Oct 20 2011
Last night I dreamed that I was a new apprentice to some sort of spiritual shaman. Though I cannot remember many details, one of the few things I do remember is looking at animals and seeing the energy transmitted between us through a web of pulsing light. In particular, I recall staring into a bird’s [...]
Jul 19 2011
My mixed media painting class ended it’s 8 week reign just last Tuesday, and I’m finally getting around to posting some photos of the students’ progress. These first photos are of Linda Nagy, who really impressed me with her ability to integrate her poured and splattered acrylic paint backgrounds with her chosen photo transfer images. [...]
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 [...]
Dec 09 2008
I’ve been craving a bit of solitude lately. Speaking of this need to a friend, she offered me her place for the weekend, while she was out of town. After sharing houses for years, this small break was like heaven for me. I decided to make it into my own little creative/spiritual retreat. The focus [...]
Nov 09 2008
Early in my art career I had a resistance to the still-life genre, perhaps because my college professors created pretty boring set-ups of mangled mannequins, bicycle wheels, broken chairs and all sorts of uninspiring material. I’ve always been more inspired by working from my imagination or a symbolic narrative. However, since I’ve started teaching art, [...]
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 [...]
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 02 2008
Whenever I get into a period of time when I’m not in a completely regular painting habit, it takes a while for the ideas to begin to emerge. During these times, I feel it’s best to stay open to practically anything my mind wants to entertain. So why am I painting a lady with a [...]
Nov 13 2007
Yea! I’m finally on a roll, after feeling like I am only half into my process lately. I could note a few excuses, such as my recent activity creating other people’s websites…. or spending the past week interviewing prospects for a new housemate… but the truth is that this has been going on for quite [...]
Sep 11 2007
I took a process-painting workshop this past weekend called “Breakthroughs in Intuitive Painting”, facilitated by Carolyn Winkler (spiritmaskjourneys.com). The idea of the workshop is to give up one’s habitual modes of painting, instead giving oneself over to a completely intuitive process. We paint with liquid tempera on paper, simulating the experience of painting as a [...]
May 26 2007
I am in a blissful state this evening because I’ve finally surpassed my creative impasse. I knew it was only a matter of time. This has happened before. I know I’m not the only one to occasionally wonder if the juices will ever flow again. Once the creative pump is primed fully, I wonder how [...]
May 19 2007
I feel that my creative breakthrough is just beginning to emerge! I’ve actually spent more time setting up my space than creating, but I feel that this is, for me, an important part of the process. I’ve decided to move much of my studio out to the balcony, so that I can create outside while [...]
May 19 2007
And it’s a good time to begin new projects. This city transforms when the sun comes out. Suddenly, I am inspired to get out of the house and take daily walks through the neighborhood. I’m greeted by the multitude of blooms that are springing up from front-yard gardens, blooming trees, and cats that seem eager [...]
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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