The artwork of Robin Maria Pedrero captures life’s simple pleasures – birds, plants and other forms from nature. The work is obviously drawn from the heart of an Artist at peace with her world.  Robin is a member of the Florida Artists Hall of Fame and an elected member of the Pastel Society of America. Capturing the spirit and energy of life in rhythmic colors, Robin uses translucent acrylic layers in her response to what catches her eyes and her heart, happily evoking moods of joy and serenity. She says, “I personify nature through color and movement evoking moods of transition, whimsy, joy and serenity, expressing myself through mediums like charcoal, pastel, graphite, colored pencil, and ink used in layers with acrylic paint on various papers, wood, or canvas. I use color to emulate the energy and spirit of nature. Music and rhythm play a role in my process and seep into the movement of my creation.”

Envisage

And yet amidst that love of nature, Robin Maria Pedrero is among the first rank of Artists using technology to send her work out into the world, finding clients for her paintings. Along with the Galleries that carry her work, Robin has a significant presence – and client base – on Facebook and on Twitter. Robin enjoys both the creativity – and the “business” of being an Artist in the 21st Century.

Hello

1. Please use your own words to describe your art...

My artwork is emotive, saturated with layers of color, with a touch of whimsy or mystery. I create acrylic mixed media paintings and soft pastel drawings depicting aspects of nature, implementing a personal symbolic language to communicate visually. People say they experience joy, serenity, or a surge of emotion when viewing my art. We feel a common bond when my art has sparked something that relates to them, yet the relationship between them and my artwork is sacred and personal. I have witnessed smiles, gasps, sighs and tears.

Mariposa

Some quotes from Viewers include:

“a lovely meditation on life and our surroundings."

"I can't believe how dreamy and at peace these paintings made me feel"

"Your work seems to reflect what is good in life. A pleasure to view"

"Your work is breathtaking in its power, it wraps itself around you as you stare into it”

Breath of Cooler Air

2. How/when did you start becoming an artist?

In the words of Lady Gaga’s recent hit, “Baby, I was born this way” as I just can’t remember not being an artist. I painted in kindergarten in a special painting smock sewn by my Mother. I crafted and created in every medium throughout childhood. I took years of oil painting lessons with artists who studied under Robert Brackman. I won awards, began selling my art and exhibiting at The Mystic Art Association Gallery as a teen. I could feel it, I knew I was an artist and my visual journey is ongoing.

Fishes

3. From what (or whom) do you draw inspiration? 

A glance at the sunlit flowers crawling up a fence combined with memories can bring forth a botanical piece with wildlife flitting about, yet it is not just the visual that impacts me, it is the thoughts that accompany the experience. My thoughts lend themselves to a spiritual nature and then start connecting and building stories with a bit of whimsy. To describe how I am filled by what I see, read, and experience, I use the expression as drawing from “the well” adopted via “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. Simple pleasures; places, people, nature in every aspect fill my creative well. Light, shape, color, sound or energy can catch my creative muse. I tend to start a piece by applying color, and allow subconscious streaming to guide me. I bring forth memories and use reference images for details. Music, songs, stories, thoughts and prayers pour into the pieces as I build layers from inspirations.

Pink Poppies

4. Where are your favorite places to create art?

Truly my own creative nest of a studio is my favorite place to create. All of my supplies are at my finger tips. I can splatter paint, play my music, dance with creativity, bask in the northern and western light, enjoy birds singing outside my windows, and let a gentle breeze waft through while enjoying frequent visits from my ShuiTzu ‘MaxAMillion.’

Arrival

5. What do you enjoy about the act of creating?

Creating gives voice to some things where I just don’t have words, or would take volumes to express, especially feelings about relationships, unity, communion, cause and reaction, connections and mysteries. I like the surprises that build within the layers and how the stories weave and change as I create. The actual supplies of painting, drawing, textiles and collage are an inspiration in themselves. I enjoy turning tactile substances into a piece of art. 

Bright Side

6. How can readers find and purchase your art? 

In Florida, my work can be purchased at Gallery 17.92 in Winter Park, Wolfe Gallery in Deland, and in the gift shops of the Orlando Museum of Art, Maitland Art Center and Florida Museum for Women Artists. New works will be presented in “Amalgamation” which opens May 19, 2011 at The Gallery at Avalon Island in downtown Orlando.

I am represented in New England by Celebrations Gallery in Pomfret CT; Juxtapose Gallery in Westfield, NJ; and in California at Galeria Tonatazin in San Juan Bautista.

Selected art, prints, fine art bags, accessories, mugs, and chocolate candy wrappers can also be purchased online in my Etsy shop (link below).

I share my art on my blog and facebook artist page where I encourage interaction, and collectors also make requests for pieces.  I use my blog, facebook page, videos and cds as I mentor and teach both art and art business.

7. Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I enjoy creating works of art based on shared love stories or life experiences. I am honored to have art collectors who share their tender stories asking and allowing me to recreate their experience in a symbolic image.

Welcome Home

Website: www.gallery523.com
Blog:  http://pocketfullofcolors.blogspot.com/
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/robinmariapedrero
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/rmpastel
Catalogs: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/robinmariapedrero

The exhibit “Amalgamation,” featuring Robin Maria Pedrero and Aurora Rincon will open on May 19 with a Reception from 6 to 9 pm at the Gallery at Avalon Island, 39 South Magnolia Avenue in Orlando, FL.  The exhibit will run through June 10. 

The exhibit "Dynamic Duos" will run from May 20 to July 3 at the Celebrations Gallery in Pomfret, CT. The Opening Reception will be held on May 20 from 5 to 8 pm.

In June of 2011, Robin Maria Pedrero will exhibit, alongside Deborah Eileen Burrow, at the Summer Art Show at the Edmund Gallery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, in Great Britain.

Tapestry of Love

Josh Garrick is the Florida Arts Editor for Wandering Educators.

All photos courtesy and copyright Robin Maria Pedrero