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The Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild continues its fantastic lineup of art demonstrations for members and art lovers alike. This month’s artist is Orange County oil colorist, Robin Hall. Robin’s work has been featured in numerous museums and galleries throughout the U.S.  Her art has been included in publications such as California Light, Painting California, Contemporary Paintings of San Diego, as well as in many magazine feature articles and in catalogs of exhibits. Robin is currently a signature member of the California Art Club and surely will not disappoint this coming June 19th.

Robin Hall Website. https://www.robinhall.com/?
Art was a constant growing up as the eldest child of artist, Priscilla Custer a.k.a. Pris Custer, Robin’s mother. This early exposure to her mother’s work and the world of art took the fear out of the creative process for Robin. Through her mother’s interesting career and artistic lifestyle, Robin learned the need to be both fearless and self-reliant at a very young age. Although Robin grew up under her mother’s easel her first inclination was not to pursue art. Instead, she waited until she was 30 and married with children before she found herself at her own easel. Captivated by the natural beauty of her home in Orange County, Robin began to paint the undeveloped landscape that surrounded her. The area at the time was ripe for future development and in her own way her very first series of landscapes was a means to preserve the beauty she knew so well.

Painting on location, Robin followed the light and soon she let her skills and inspirations take her from landscapes and oceanscapes to architecture. It was a California Art Club event which promoted the painting of California missions that truly changed her approach and love of capturing the architecture of old buildings. Never one to pass up a challenge, Robin is always looking to step out of her comfort zone and try something new.

Originally, Robin had hopes of being a famous artist, but today she just wants to create great paintings. A perpetual student of art, Robin reminds me that “the minute we feel we’ve learned it or think we got it downthat’s when a hurdle will humble you. Robin’s work can take her sometimes up to 6 months to complete – she must be completely satisfied with the painting before it leaves her studio. Robin tells me that “an artist should make the subject either better than it appeared [in nature] or create their own statement/story about the subject.”

She reminds me that art should have a “real focus,” a “true focus not just a focal point”. Creating a true focus within a painting is Art. Paintings should be lingered upon and convey not only the subject (focal point) but the sense of light and atmosphere that surround the focal point. Robin creates that sense in her work. Her use of color and tone with in her work struck a chord of remembrance for me.

Robin’s influences include Sargent for his mastery of values and Sorolla for his vibrant useof color and values. But it was Andrew Wyeth who she divulged as a kindred art spirit. Robin talked of how Wyeth also grew up with an artistic parent. He learned from his father how to protect his precious time by limiting the number of shows and involvement with the public. Wyeth was a solitary artist 

and kept the creative process and the work he created very private. Robin turned my attention to the book, Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life by Richard Meryman. This led Robin to a deeper understanding of the works of such a distinguished painter.

Although Robin taught for many years, she turned her focus back to her own craft in the past 3-4 years. She felt her work had become constrained while teaching and had lost the spontaneity she had developed in her earlier work.

With such an interesting background you will not want to miss Robin’s demonstration June 19th. Robin will work from a pre-composed landscape scene to demonstrate her process. Robin works in oil and loves a linen board. She paints for quality not quantity. Her advice to students is to simplify, don’t be too literal and enjoy the process.

Join me and the Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild for another fascinating demonstration in the world of art.