Although we all interpret the world from our own perspectives, we share a common thread as we are all in, and of this planet. Nature is our universal muse. van Gogh, O’Keeffe, Mondrian, and even Socrates and Aristotle wrote tirelessly about the power of nature to inspire and ignite the soul. When I walk outside, I hear birds, see cloud formations, small creatures, and the textures and colors of this earth. Everything is connected and our interdependence on each other and with the natural world is paramount for survival. “Soil, Rock, Root,” and “Signs of Life”, these two themes are consistant in my work as for me they are a grounding and foundation, literally the dirt beneath our feet, and the roots that unite all living things.  I’m fixated on the interaction of humans and the flora and fauna that inhabit these spaces that we continuously invade and attempt to control. And, I wonder, of course, about the future. My paintings and sculptures are my Snow White-like stories of my surroundings, and my fascination with the complexity and perseverance of the planet despite the human need to explore, conquer, and acquire ownership of literally everything. As an artist, educator, mother, and woman, I am attached to all the living components that are sculpted together, and work in unison to create this whole.

Being an artist provides me an opportunity to communicate subtle messages by choosing a path that invites and intrigues. My work is representational through an emotive and abstracted lens. Organic elements of soils, small bugs and creatures, sticks, rocks, feathers, nests, ceramic shards, and fabrics are incorporated into the painted surfaces. I push the texture by combining materials to create contrast and variety. Clumps of paint are scraped from palettes, squeezed from pastry tubes, and smeared with hands so much so that the face of the paintings are sometimes 2” or more in depth, and for the most part, the canvases are large in scale.  Sculptural works grow out of the painted imagery, and as the paint is often sculpted on the canvas, the paint informs the clay and vice versa. Although the natural elements are embedded in oil paint, there is an inevitable decay in the work as part of a life cycle. Just as over time the oil paint will crack and the surface will undergo changes, so the organic material may gradually fade away into the land from which it's come.  Life, death / decay is a consistent theme, and the duality of humanity and nature in congress and conflict.

I tend to be spontaneous with choices and practice allowing the work to happen without editing the heck out of it. I was raised in the canyons of Hollywood, CA. in the 70’s and the influence of this earthy, bohemian upbringing combined with the need for over the top, abundance and use of materials is evident in the work. I’ve worked in education with marginalized and Indigenous communities for the better part of 20 years. Teaching is demanding and requires presence of mind, directness, and objectivity. Developing these skills has influenced the studio work, in that, time is extremely valuable and requires me to say my say with action and immediacy.

Lives and works in California

EDUCATION

2020    Masters of Arts in Art, N.W. Louisiana State University, Natchitoches, LA

2014    Bachelors of Fine Arts, Design Institute of San Diego, San Diego, CA

1991    Post-Baccalaureate Art Education, San Francisco State Univ., San Francisco, CA

1986    Bachelors of Fine Arts, California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023    Soil, Rock, Root, Northwestern Louisiana State University, Natchitoches, LA., Curated by Phyllis Lear and Matt DeFord

2018    The Wisdom of Nature, L Street Gallery, San Diego, CA,. Curated by Kay Colvin

2008    On and Of the Land, Raleigh Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2002    Nature as Still Life, Raleigh Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024 Flora and Fauna, Techne Gallery in Conjunction with Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside CA.

Ink and Clay 46: Art and Science Collide, Kellogg University Art Gallery, Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona CA. Curated by Kim Abeles and Alison Ragguette

The Brand 52 Annual Works on Paper, Glendale, CA. Curated by Shanna Nys Dambroot

Melissa Morgan Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA.

2023    Oceanside Museum of Art Biennial, Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA., Curated Katie Dolgov

Ancestral Connections, Southern Calif. Women’s Caucus, Avenue 50 Studio, Highland Park, CA,. Curated by Chelo Montoya

11th Annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo Juried Exhibition, 29 Palms Gallery, 29 Palms, CA.

Joshua Tree National Park Association Juried Art Show, Joshua Tree Cultural Center, Joshua Tree, CA.

2022    Art in the Time of Corona, Dab Art, Los Angeles, CA., Curated by Yessica Torres

Joshua Tree National Park Exposition, 29 Palms Gallery, 29 Palms, CA

Artsy, https://www.artsy.net/artist/robin-raznick

2021    Art in the Time of Corona, Dab Art, Los Angeles, CA., Curated by Yessica Torres

2020    Celebrating the National Lands, Wildling Museum, Solvang, CA., Curated by Stacey Otte-Demangate                         

2019    Still Life, Fusion Gallery, Palm Springs, CA

Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition, 29 Palms Gallery, 29 Palms, CA,

Contemporary art Gallery, Online Exhibition, https://www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.gallery/2019-art-competition-cityscapes

2018    Art of the Horse, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Breeders Cup, Del Mar, CA

2017    Spectrum, Indian Wells, CA

2016    Art for Animals, Fusion Gallery, Palm Springs, CA

Worldscapes, La Jolla Art Association, La Jolla, CA

Beyond Blue, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA., Curated by Kate Ashton

Waterscapes, Fusion Gallery, Palm Springs, CA

The Art of Aging, San Fernando Valley Arts and Culture Center; Tarzana, CA

Rock the Red, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA

2015    Hope, Help Nepal, Art Basel, Miami, FArt, Rhythm, and Wine, San Diego, CA

California Dreaming, Oceanside Museum of Art, San Diego, CA., Curated by Kay Colvin

Beverly Hills artShow, Beverly Hills, CA

2014    Malibu Arts Festival, Malibu, CA

Beverly Hills artShow, Beverly Hills, CA

2012    Encinitas Arts Festival, Encinitas, CA

Encinitas Arts Festival, Encinitas, CA

2011    La Jolla Art and Wine Festival, La Jolla, CA

2010 Laguna Arts Festival; Laguna, CA

2003    Mica, Design Institute of San Diego, San Diego, CA

2009    Rise and Fall, Juried Art Competition, Virtual Building Projection, Berlin, Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York

2000    California Landscapes, Raleigh Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

1998    Nature and Still Life, Raleigh Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

2024    Chateau Orquevaux Residency, Orquevaux, France

2023    Museum of Art and History, Prime Desert Woodland Residency, Lancaster, California

2022    Joshua Tree National Park Exposition, First Place Sculpture

2022    Kipaipai Fellowship, Mill Valley, California

2018    Villa Le Reve, Teaching Residency, Vence, France

Escondido Arts Municipal Gallery, Honorable Mention Painting, Escondido, CA

2014    Beverly Hills artShow Feature Artist, 1st Place Award Recipient, Beverly Hills, CA

2010    Walworth Barbour American International School Teaching Residency, Israel

2016    Crystal Apple Award, Excellence in Education, Oceanside, CA

Delta Kappa Gamma Arts Education Grant

2014    Oceanside Alumni Arts Scholarship, Oceanside, CA

2007    American Society of Interior Designers Excellence Award

2005    San Diego Humane Society, First Place

2002    Design Education Council Competition, First Place Regional Prize, Western US

PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS

2023  

Suboart Magazine International Art Magazine, https://issuu.com/suboartmagazine/docs/suboart_magazine_6_july_2023_digital

2021  

Joshua Tree National Parks Association Juried Exhibition, https://jtnparts.org/media-room/

2019  

Contemporary Art Gallery, https://www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.gallery/2019-all-cityscapes

California Dreamin;, https://thecoastnews.com/a-brush-with-art-dreams-of-california-through-the-eyes-of-san-diego-artists/

 Art Patron, Robin Raznick Contemporary Works on Paint and Canvas, Summer Issue

Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, Art Exposition Joshua Tree National Park 2019, Juried Artist

2017  

Art of the Horse, https://coolsandiegosights.com/tag/horses/page/2/

Palm Springs Life, https://www.palmspringslife.com/desert-diptych-by-robin-raznick/

Palm Springs Art Patron, Robin Raznick Contemporary Works on Paint and Canvas, Summer Issue

Laguna Beach Art Patron, Robin Raznick Contemporary Works on Paint and Canvas, Summer Issue

2016  

Art and Cake, https://artandcakela.com/2016/07/04/ca-101-california-artists-exhibiting-in-unique-spaces/

2014  

Beverly Hills artShow, https://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/06/prweb11941024.htm