Artist: Robyn Sand Anderson

I met Robyn in August of 2010 when we both attended a Lana Grow Aqua Media Painting class in the Twin Cities.  I’ve posted about that experimental week of painting under the category Aqua Media Collage.  Check this link for two photos of Robyn’s paintings in process.  Here, Lana helps a student and demonstrates one of her many painting techniques.

I was drawn to Robyn’s work in the class and we exchanged a couple of emails over the year.  I was excited to hear she was doing a show at her alma mater, Luther College, and asked if I could visit her studio and see the new work.  It was a beautiful day in late September when we headed to New Ulm.

Here is a behind-the-scenes look at Robyn’s studio.

Study is always a part of searching and Robyn’s tabbed books spoke of her process through understanding her recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.  I was impressed with her courage to face the rawest of human emotions.  Our society would tell us to run in the opposite direction and live hard and fast and selfishly with the time we have.  Instead, Robyn gave all her strength to understanding, deepening her spiritual life and sharing her gifts.

Canvases ready for paint….

We talked fast and furious as we looked at the paintings and the meaning and significance of each in her own journey toward understanding suffering and it’s counterpart, hope.  Since we both have experienced suffering, our connection was natural and spiritual and deeply satisfying.  Thank you Robyn for the gift of sharing our lives through your creative expression.

Today’s journey began with a painting called ‘Diagnosis’ which began as this sketch, and grew layer by layer into a picture of the pain of suffering.  It was uncomfortable to look at.  Her work was real and authentic and she let us see the layers and brush stokes which were her search.

Then came the loneliness and waiting for the ‘Presence‘….

‘Thirsting‘ for answers…..

Circling looking round and round described in ‘Widening Circles‘.

Needed rest found in Matthews words in chapter 11……”Come, take my ‘Yoke‘ and learn from me….find your rest.”

And ‘Sanctuary’ for the soul.

Heightened ‘Perception’…

‘Deeply Rooted‘  sprang from reading the book Suffering and Courage I have posted about here…..

as did this painting titled ‘Connected‘.

Inner worlds opening….’Worlds Within Worlds‘

The obedience to ‘Be Still and Know‘…

‘Infinite Fires’ portray love that is stronger than death…

‘Living Water‘ which began as this painting back in our class in August is my personal favorite.  I was privileged to see its growth and development into its final form.

became this…

and finally finished as ‘Living Waters‘.

‘Ceaseless Hope’ speaks of the transition from suffering and endurance, to character and hope because of God’s love poured out for us. Romans 5:5

And finally Robyn shares ‘You Turn My Footsteps to Dancing‘ explaining how her black and white footsteps were turned into a full pallet of colorful dancing.  Psalm 30:11-12.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief look into a full year of work by Robyn.  If you’d like to see the paintings in person, they will be on exhibit at Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa until December 5th, 2011.  The Exhibit is named, Contrasts: Suffering & Hope.

For more information you can check this site, Robyn Sand Anderson Art where she has each painting with its accompanying verses and poetry which explain and illuminate her process.    You’ll also find her artist bio, her work that is for sale and her blog.  Please visit!

God bless you Robyn as you continue to paint and enrich our visual experience of life.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

{images: Laurie Ashbach}

New Craft Studio!

Blogging Your Way eclass:  BTW  Happy Birthday to Holly Becker, of BYW!

Week Three Homework: #9 – Document Your Life in a creative way.

Life as an empty nester is so sweet!  All three of our kids closed on houses the same day.  How is that even possible?  (Maybe having the same realtor had something to do with it).   Anyway… our daughter moved away from the nest and into her own home. That was Feb 24th.  She’s a kindegarten teacher, and decided to make one of her new bedrooms into a craft room for her niece and nephews.  Genius!  Which got me to thinking, hmmmmm, her old room would be a perfect place for my craft/painting room.  At the same time, I enrolled in Holly Becker & Leslie Shewings eclass, Blogging Your Way, which was exactly the inspiration needed to envision a new space.  Through Holly’s teachings the thinking began on defining who I am and what I want to say on my blog.  Out of that have come new category names based off the word Wonder, a place I often find myself.  For our Week Three homework, we could choose from 10 Creative Post Ideas.  I chose #9, Your Life, and a new category was added; My Wonderful Life.

In week one Leslie showed us her studio space and I began so see a direction.  All I had to do was paint and bring in some storage space and all my creative stuff would have a home.  Sounds simple doesn’t it?  Thanks to a friend and my family, holes were spackled, walls were painted, carpet was torn up and cupboards were assembled.  I looked for flooring, and found a beautiful cork, but when the bid came in I opted for simple paint and I love it.  I can be creative and spontaneous without worrying about a little paint hitting the floor when I’m working on collage paintings.  Ok…..ready?  Here is the space in all its blueness.

Even the ceiling was painted.  She’s a creative person too, so I let her do whatever she wanted : )

AND there was the walk in closet.  I’m in heaven!  Since I closed my storefront Vine & Branches Gallery, the stock I sell online (http://vbgallery.com) has taken any available closet and storage space.  Now it can have a real home and I can fill orders from here.

Next the carpet was hauled out and the floor was painted.  Such a cost effective idea, and in the future a real floor can always be installed.  Win, win.

Next came the IKEA cabs and work table.  The space was taking shape!

Then the first loads of my art and craft supplies made their way upstairs.  The view and the light up here are ‘wonderful’ and I am beyond thankful.

Come back and visit as I begin to use my new space.  With all the resources from Holly and Leslie, my empty nest will be a creative haven up in the treetops.  Funny, but all last summer I thought about building a real tree house, an escape place to read and rest.   And now, after the moves and the BYW eclass, this room meets more needs than I thought I had.  Thanks Holly and Leslie!  I’m off to the craft nest to organize and begin to take pictures.  Have a great day.

{images: Laurie Ashbach}

Aqua Media Day 3: Gold Leaf

GOLD LEAF DEMO

Collect your supplies:  10″ square board, stamps, adhesive & sealer, sheets of leaf, soft brush.

Spray your board with gold leaf adhesive in a ventilated area.  Handling your leaf is a tricky procedure.  One of the students used wax paper to pick up her leaf and then lay it gently on the board.  The leaf will stick to anything and everything (especially your fingers), so have a plan.  I used the orange tissue on each side of the leaf to coax it onto one corner of my board. Repeat 3 times until your board is covered.  Lana then used a soft brush to burnish the gold down and remove extra overlapping leaf, creating a smooth shiny surface.

Now the paint is applied in abstract organic floral patterns…

…and texture is created using found objects, canvas and stamps – anything that you find that will make an interesting mark.

I love that you can work on many pieces at the same time.  Paintings are always in a transition of layering and drying.  Letting your eye and mind rest from the piece allows you to come back to it with fresh eyes and ideas.  Turn your board around and look from a different angle.  You will be lead by the piece to complete the next step in the process.

Now place a working mat on your painting and look to determine what areas are calling out for more.  What areas need more definition?  Move the mat around and crop your painting to find the most pleasing balance.  As Lana kept saying, “It’s only a piece of paper!  Play with it, let it move….just keep your brush wet everyday.”  And so we jump in and try, and the next day you try again and the process of discovery pulls you forward despite your fears.  Painting is energizing and rewarding.  Take a step, take a step back, look & learn.  Be curious not cautious, play, dance, learn, grow.  It’s only a piece of paper.

{images: Laurie Ashbach}