Robin Urbani was raised in Black Point, Connecticut, in a small, eccentric family of painters, gardeners, poets and photographers; creating art has always been a part of her life. Her earliest memories are of posing for paintings, attending art receptions of her mother's and other relatives, and learning that life is best lived creatively- not conforming to societal norms.
Since childhood Robin has been drawn to classical figurative sculpture, then the art of puppetry and mask-making, inspired by the works of Jim Henson, Julie Taymor and Tim Burton. It wasn’t until later in life that she discovered her love of painting with oils. She strives to ‘sculpt’ with the paint, in order to create a dimensional feel to her work. With no formal education she paints intuitively, using things she learned while working as a model at Lyme Academy for instructors Don Gale, Jerry Weiss, and the late Deane G. Keller, as well as former students who shared their knowledge and insight. Robin is inspired by the work of artists such as Vermeer, Caravaggio, Ilya Repin, Sargent, and Degas and also appreciates others such as Mucha, Aubrey Beardsley, M. C. Escher, Gustav Klimt, some of the Pre-Raphaelites, and several modern day painters.
Robin prefers to paint from direct observation hoping to transfer the light, color and emotion she feels and sees in the subject- whether it be a person, a still life, or scene in nature to the canvas. She also finds herself wanting to incorporate fantastic or ethereal imagery, some of which gives the impression of music or movement, from ideas she find compelling. "I am interested in the ‘spectrum of consciousness', extra dimensions, and the fact that what we see and know makes up only 4% of our universe; there is an invisible 96% which is dark matter and dark energy. I am interested in life and death and whether there is a continuum."
The newest work in this collection and other paintings currently underway are a culmination as well as a genesis of the creative process she has envisioned. "By combining realistic impressions with imagery from these ideas that I do not ‘see’ - but rather ‘feel’, the end result becomes more conceptual. I continue to explore these ideas and am excited to have the opportunity and ability to express myself visually and to share it with others."
Robin currently paints and teaches Southeastern Ct.