Hey there, My partner Rob, left last night to work in Canada, very sad. But work is work and money is always welcome. So that said, Rachelle my daughter is going to coach me on Facebook. Scary and fun. I have a lot to learn in a short time in regards to social media and marketing yourself, so it will be an adventure. Just posted 2 more paintings. I especially love the ocelots painting, it inspires me to when you have such magical moments in your life, like when these photos in the zoo happened and you can capture them.

Hey all Tonight is the night for the Pilgrimage walk from Ambato to Banos. It is roughly 35-38 km. The police shut down the road for the night and 20-12 thousand people walk, bike, dance, shuffle whatever to Banos. Then when they get here they visit the church, they sleep in the streets or parks or wherever they can and in the morning go back wherever they came from. This is an amazing night, this will be my forth pilgrimage but this time my husband and son are walking. What to expect, sore feet, rain (this year) improved night vision, openess to new and different things. The pace is fast and hard and when you think that you are tired you look over and you see an older person from the mountains walking in bare feet and enjoying the process or children walking or parents with trollers or wheel chairs. It keeps you humble and thankful. That is the whole point of the walk. It is also as spiritual as you want it to be. There are young adults partying the whole way and dancing through the street, that is also humbling. So.... all that said, who knows what this journey will be.... Let you know tomorrow. Robin

Hi there All The professional photos are in. Yeah, now comes the hard part... creating a new web page, with new photos. I will start loading in the new photos fairly quickly. Thank you all for waiting. Robin

in the early morning

Hi there Folks: For those of you who know me, and for those who do not, I am a person who requires less sleep than the average bear. So it is in the wee hourse of the morning and here I am blogging. I got up at 2:00, talked with my daughter in Canada, she went to bed and then I went into the studio to work. I have this awesome and crazy photo that I took of a Cougar corkscrewing its tale. So feeling some pressure of my photographer friend coming on Sunday night, I figure I have just enough time to get this painting done before the photoshoot. So, that said the layout is done and now I am waiting for the frisk to dry. This is a rubber material that I use to cover my drawing so that I can uninhibitedly paint the background. So, here I wait and think for the next thing to do which is practice my speech to the Casa De Cultura of Banos Ecuador to petition to have my first art show in Ecuador. This is more of an introduction of myself and my art. Oh but that is not enough, no, I like a little challenge and who wants to do these things easily: no I have to also do it in Spanish..... fun. Thank god for my Spanish teacher and my dear friend Manola, who is amazing with her education, language skills and of course understanding of the culture..... Manola is also kind to me in that she knows that normally I am short and to the point and really don't want to linger in the public speaking arena. So the speech is short and sweet. So, that said and that done, I may have to take my dangling participles and go to bed for a while. I have Spanish classes in the morning...... oh wait, like in 3 hours..... yeah that is how I work it..... This sleeping thing is really great to get things done and read books. I just got the new daylight light bulbs from Ebay and they are making my life better already. Whoo hoo. Okay, back to bed, nice talking with you, even if it is one sided. Be kind to each other and honor your differences Robin

Confetti: Dog and Cat

Confetti: Dog and Cat This was a painting that I struggled from beginning and stayed with the struggle until I picked up my brush. I fought again against: the idea of domesticated animals versus wild life, which species of domestic dog and cat etc. I just had to have faith in the author’s visions and go and paint in the flow meditating on the theme. Remarkably, this painting took every little time. There are times when it feels like the painting is meant to be and I just happen to be the one painting it. This is one of those paintings. I am still joyful about this painting and for me whenever I look at this painting: spontaneity and following my passion joyfully is very much the theme. This was a painting for the theme of: Spontaneity/ act now. How do I follow my passion? Original painting size: 50cm/100cm Robin

Beauty is often out of the Box: Peacock

Beauty is often out of the Box: Peacock When the authors said that they wanted the peacock to represent: beauty/see with the eyes of the heart, and how can I see beauty in everything: I immediately tried to answer the question what is beauty. I thought there are so many non-stereotypical creatures that could represent beauty why go with the norm. But again have faith in the authors and their vision. So, I went and researched and photo’d peacock in zoos and on-line. I wanted to give them my best with a unique point of view yet still poignant. As I was drawing one day with this thought in mind, there it was, the idea, this is the result. I still felt though it was not quite done. After several months of hanging on the wall in front of me, I happened to have purchases James Gurney’s book (creator/artist of Dinotopia) called “Color and Light”, and there were further answers to this unsettling incomplete feeling. Pursue that which calls to you. Original painting size: 80cm/94cm Robin

Last Straw: Donkey

Last Straw: Donkey Sometimes I laugh so hard while I am painting. This painting is one of those times. This poor little guy was pushing it up the mountain with this heavy load and he was not happy about it, neither would I in fact. Anger and frustration are often emotions people do not want to express. These emotions are huge motivators to move us forward and change that which is not working. Hence in the end, it is a positive thing. It just doesn't feel good in the moment. But moving forward is moving forward, and sometimes these things have just got to be done. Robin

Fox and Armadillo

Fox and Armadillo This is one of the few paintings that to me remind me of an Aesop's Fable. I still feel like in the future this painting will go through a metamorphosis but we will see. The purpose of this painting was for the book and the Author's wanted to communicate: Whom do I associate with?, networking, rejection or approval, do I sometimes wear my armour out loud, how this all effect my relationships. This was a huge theme process. I think the painting does provide for all these topics of discussion. Yet, in the future I still see a metamorphosis coming..... Robin

Construction Zone: Ants

Construction Zone: Leaf Cutter Ants We have these ants everywhere in Ecuador. I see them a lot especially in the jungle. They are trodding across the hiking trails to home base and do whatever it is that ants do. In fact, the jungle is an insect place. Amazing, and here there is such a diversity of "bugs". I am always so aware of these little ants, I don't want to ruin their destined path, and actually it is more of a highway.... Robin

Art Group: Otters

Art Group: Otters When I was still living in Canada, I was involved in an art marketing group. I miss them all so much. There were serious times of planning, marketing research, goal setting, practicing talking about the art etc. to help us understand the more commercial part of the art process. However there was also time spent making jokes, laughing and supporting each other. Art is way more than just the end result, it is connecting with others. You can be a teacher and help other growing artist; you can be in a show and communicate with others as they ask questions or just sit back and observe whatever. But at the end of the day my perception of art is connecting with others and expressing yourself sometimes when words just can't do it for you. Robin