Studio Sale!

It's that time of year again for an art studio sale!

As many of you know,  I show my work at galleries and events throughout the year, but the online store is the main source to buy my art, with over 100 items...

A heartfelt thank you for supporting and following my art. It is my hope that it lifts your spirits and brings you joy :)  In the face of life's challenges, I believe that the more we can support each other and our planet as individuals, the brighter our future can be. A portion of the proceeds from my animal and bird prints is donated to wildlife organizations.

If you've been eyeing a painting, print or pattern, this is the time to grab one at a great price! Or if you've just landed here, welcome! Read more about why I create healing art here.

With the discount, many of my small original paintings are under $100, and some are even under $50.  Photo and laser prints are under $20.  Just use code SAVE30 at checkout.

Local (Portland, OR area) purchases can also be hand-delivered- feel free to message me on FB or drop me an email!  Follow me for updates and behind the scenes pics from the studio if you'd like too on RPS Facebook,  Twitter, and Instagram .

New in the shop!

Inspiration Minis

4x4 paintings on wood panels 

Inspirational Mini paintings © Robin Phillips Studio

>>Browse All Original Paintings

Love Ornaments

Inspirational Dangle Ornaments

>>Browse All Art Ornaments

2016 Prints

New poster prints now available for 2016 paintings! Giclee (archival ink printed on archival paper) available on request.  A portion of the proceeds from animal and bird art prints support wildlife organizations

The Light Within © Robin Phillips Studio

The Grand Dragon Race © Robin Phillips Studio

Though the Enchanted Forest © Robin Phillips Studio

Ecstatic Joy © Robin Phillips Studio

>>Browse All Art Prints

Framed Prints

A selection of small framed prints are now available!
All regular 4x6 and 5x7 prints also come with a mat, ready for framing 

5x5 Animal Spirit Series Prints, pictured Horse Spirit © Robin Phillips Studio

Joyful Spirit, © Robin Phillips Studio, 5x7 matted photo print in frame

>>Browse All Framed Prints

Art makes a special holiday gift, thank you for browsing the shop :)

Love, peace, and blessings to you this season!

Xoxo,

Robin










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Upcoming, Holiday Season Shows/Sales!

Opening First Friday October 7, 7-9PM, The Tarot Show and Day of the Dead, show runs through October 28

Splendorporium Art Gallery, 3421 SE 21st Ave., Portland, OR
splendorporium.net

Pleased to be a part of this show again, after exhibiting in it once before! Two of my pieces are in the show this year: Soulmates, representing The Lovers card and The Light Within, representing The Sun. 

Opening First Thursday November 3, 5-8PM, Siren Nation "Celebration", 10th Annual Visual Arts Show, runs through December 30

Portland'5 Centers for the Arts, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland, OR,  portland5.com

November 13, 10AM - 5PM, Siren Nation Art/Craft Sale, McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd St., Portland, OR,  sirennation.org

I will be participating in the Siren Nation shows again this fall, and this is my fourth year showing with this great organization that supports local women in the arts. 

Saturday/Sunday November 19-20, 10-5PM, Audubon Wild Arts Fair, 6x6 Bird Art show, Montgomery Park building, 2701 NW Vaughn, Portland, OR, wildartsfestival.org/6x6-wild-art-project

A fundraiser show for Audubon Society, this is my eighth year creating a small donation painting. The paintings usually sell quickly, and if you want the chance to purchase mine, definitely plan to be there Saturday morning. I'm about to start my piece, follow RPS Instagram for sneak previews!

Early December Online Studio Sale!
Online friends/followers, once again I'll be offering 30% off and some freebies in the RPS online store !  In late November, make sure to look for the sale announcements and a preview of my newest items on RPS Facebook. :)

Opening Saturday December 10, 2-10PM, Big 500 show/sale, runs through December 23,  Ford Gallery, 2505 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR

This is an excellent local show of over 500 artists with works priced at just $40! It's my fourth year doing the show, and I'm pleased to be a part of it again. I will be painting eight small panels for the show. Follow me on Facebook or Instagram to see my works in progress... 

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Xoxo,

Robin

Healing Power of Art/ The Light Within

Spirit Bird © Robin Phillips Studio

I am honored that my piece Spirit Bird has been selected for The Healing Power of Art 2016 exhibition organized by Manhattan Arts International, which runs through September 20! 

"Art holds the power to ignite the flame in our hearts and transform our minds. Art reveals the beauty as well as the horror of the human condition. Through art we are given the key to connect to a higher purpose." ~ Renee Phillips, curator

The Healing Power of Art is a wonderful online community of art/artists that promote well being and positive change. Artists in the group are inspired by health/healing, education, social work, environmental awareness and more. See the exhibit and read more at:  http://www.manhattanarts.com/hpa-1/   and  http://healing-power-of-art.org

So, why do I create inspirational/healing art and how did I get started on this path?
Some of you have already heard my story or parts of it. But if you're new to my blog, welcome! And let me tell you a bit more... 

The short answer is that my academic/career background is in art, design and psychology. And I have a love for beauty combined with a strong interest in positive growth and healing :)

But it's really life experience that moves me to create inspirational art. In just forty-some years, I've gone through many personal challenges- health, money/lost jobs, family/relationship difficulties, losing family, and being close to alcohol/violence to name some of the bigger ones. I've also seen over and over how much difficulty exists in the world- everyone is not treated fairly or equally nor have the same opportunities. I've seen how our Mother Earth has been ravaged, and how people turn against each other due to "differences", sometimes even such small differences. In my weakest hours, I have wondered why life has to be "so difficult" but ultimately know we all must endure. And in my strongest hours, I embrace the beauty of Earth and hope to inspire others who are feeling down or struggling too. It is my hope that my art may lift your spirits and bring you joy :)

Without going into lots of endless, embarrassing and depressing details, I can ultimately say that I have been completely humbled by my life experiences. And this has deeply strengthened my sense of compassion. Through trying to understand and express some of my earliest challenges, in college I studied psychology, art and spiritual traditions.  A big turning point for me came in my twenties, when I was diagnosed with diabetes. Having to face a serious chronic disease with dangers and complications at such a young age made my life flash before me. All the sudden, I realized that my time on earth is limited and I felt the calling to do something meaningful with my life. As a graphic/web designer, this also moved me to work with non-profits and small creative ventures as opposed to agencies/corporations. Onward to today, sometimes my daily life is not easy, but I am continuously thankful for the time and the blessings that I DO have. 

Several years ago, I worked with VSA Arts, an organization promoting the power of art for people living with disabilities. I fondly remember the strong spirit of all the people I met there- especially how those who faced the greatest challenges were so positive. And, furthermore how art opened up a world of new possibility- a world with no limitations, a world of pure love and joy. This experience, among others, reinforced my healing art path. Buddhists have long believed suffering leads to compassion and enlightenment, and I do see the truth in this principle. I don't wish that suffering is necessary for anyone. But to be able to see the beauty in life amidst difficulty is a gift that we all have access to, at any time. Seeing the light is what moves us forward from darkness. 

I turn to art for positive energy and healing. It will always be there regardless of life's circumstances- a guiding light. Positive imagery and words celebrate what is beautiful in this world and cultivate love. I feel the point of focusing on the positive is not to blindly ignore our problems, but to celebrate what IS right, why life matters, what common ground we might share, and to illuminate a new path forward. From a psychological perspective, I believe happiness is the first step towards lasting, positive change. 

As a step beyond personal healing, I believe art can ultimately be healing for the world because all living things are connected. The arts are a powerful medium for highlighting activism, beauty and positive change, but it is just one channel of many. Every kind gesture or suggestion to support a cause matters. Shine your light!

The Light Within © Robin Phillips Studio

My Latest Painting, The Light Within

We all have a bright, beautiful light within, regardless of our circumstances. In this piece, it was my goal to create a more universal-looking figure that is not gender or race-specific, because this piece is meant for everyone. Our magnificent internal light is all-encompassing, reflecting and refracting rainbow colors. It is our central beacon of hope and healing. Know that you always have this source within you. 

This original piece is 14x11, painted in oil. 

Love and light!

Xoxo, Robin

New Website Packages

If you're wondering what I have been to lately in graphic/web design-  I'm continuing to work on  artist and small business websites. And I'm now pleased to be offering affordable WordPress design packages and individual website training sessions for artists and small businesses nationally! On a limited basis, I am also working with international clients.

Each project is unique, and I offer my clients much more than just design. Typically, I also assist with everything web-related: domain names, hosting, site security, mobile friendliness, search engine optimization, integrating social media, e-commerce and marketing/branding. At the end of each project, I train my clients on how to update their new site in WordPress so that they can easily manage it.

And... in addition to developing new sites, I commonly take on projects that are simply updates, enhancements or maintenance-related such as:

-moving websites and domain names to new hosts
-mobile-friendly site enhancements
-installing shops, blogs and forms
-changing design styles/themes
-professional advice/training sessions for DIYers
-updating or advising on sites, any platform  - not just WordPress

>>>If you are in need of a new website or advice on your existing website, I welcome you to contact me for a free consultation. And learn more about my design work here. :)

Without further ado, here are some of the latest new site launches/ web projects from the studio...

Mary Lou Dauray

environmental art

www.maryloudauray.com

Site Features/Support:
For this site, I customized an existing WP theme (WP Basic Package expanded), and assisted her with a font design for her name, transferring her domain name, setting up new hosting, site security, optimizing her blog and advice on RSS and social media. We chose a design style that showcased the powerful nature of her work.



Esther Sternberg Art

impressionist-style painting

www.esthersternbergart.com

Site Features/Support:
For this WP Basic Package site, I helped Esther find a portfolio theme and colors that fit the more traditional style of her work. I also assisted her with a font design for her name, transferring a domain name, setting up new hosting, and site security. Finally, I created several custom living room images to showcase how her art would look in a home setting. 

Columbia River Tile & Stone
artistic tile and stone installation
www.columbiarivertileandstone.com

Site Features:
For CRTS, our other family business, I recently updated the website's design/structure (Custom, non-WordPress site) to be fully responsive > mobile and large-screen friendly. Additionally, I added new galleries, a blog, and another sidebar with rotating reviews, helpful information and calls to action. In the future, the site will evolve with more dynamic content.

And finally... a new RPS site is coming! 
Last but not least.... Stay tuned for a new RPS website, currently in the works! Here's a sneak peek at some of the initial design snippets. It's very exciting, and long overdue! The new site will be a unique, custom design that is dynamic, responsive and ultra- mobile-friendly with lots of fun content like design tips, patterns, design ideas, studio/show pics, daily inspiration and more.   www.robinphillipsstudio.com

Painted Dragons

The Grand Dragon Race © Robin Phillips Studio

I'm pleased to be participating once again in the local show, Fire on the Water: Dragon Boat Art , curated by the fabulous Alea Bone of Bonewerx. This show celebrates the art of Chinese dragon boat racing, a Portland Rose Festival tradition. The show runs through August 30, and if you're in Portland, you can see it at Portland'5 Centers for the Arts, 1111 SW Broadway.

Join us for the 2nd opening reception on Thursday, July 14 from 6-9pm! 
Event details here:  Fire on the Water: Dragon Boat Art 

My painting (above) is available for sale in addition to many others by local artists.
Contact Jeannie Baker at 503-274-6556 for purchase information.

This year, Oregon Art Beat also covered the show. Watch the episode here!!

See opening night and more pictures on RPS Facebook and the Fire on the Water Facebook pages

First strokes on the canvas...  acrylic and wash

Building up thin layers of acrylic

Adding golden scales :)

Creating water texture...

Final touches... with lots of tiny brush strokes

Framed and hanging at the show!

Dragon Blessings!

:) Robin


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30 days x 4+ Shows

It's a busy month of shows/openings for me, including some juried shows that I am pleased to be participating in. If you're in the Portland area, I hope you can make it to one or more of these events! I will also be posting details and pictures on RPS Facebook and Instagram. So follow me there, if you are not already. :)

April 7 - May 31, Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales show   
Closing Reception is Friday, May 27, 5-8pm  - Cash bar, hor d'oeuvres, and costumes
P5 Centers for the Arts- Antoinette Hatfield Hall, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland, OR

This special show features paintings based on scenes from Grimm's fairy tale stories. 

Through the Enchanted Forest © Robin Phillips Studio - scene from Twelve Dancing Princesses

May 7- May 31, La Vida Veggie Art Gallery  
4925 SW Angel Ave., Beaverton, OR

For the month of May, I will have an assortment of six to eight larger paintings on display along with artist Kelly Powers at this locally owned, cozy cafe/gallery that has a super delicious veg menu! 

Ace of Wands © Robin Phillips Studio

May 19 - June 14, Siren Nation 2016 Paint Your Art Out
Opening Reception: May 19, 6-9pm, Salvage Works, 2024 N Argyle St, Portland, OR

Once again, I'm excited to be participating in the Siren Nation art shows. There are two events: Opening Night is a fundraising event, and there is also a month long show.  Follow me on FB or Instagram for a sneak preview of a group of small works that I will show... 

Deer Spirit © Robin Phillips Studio

June, July Shows- Stay Tuned! 

I'm also currently working on new pieces for Fire on the Water: Dragon Boat Art Show, in the Portland Rose Festival, and Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts 

More details will be announced in a couple weeks on RPS Facebook!

XOXO, Robin

Through the Enchanted Forest Painting

Through the Enchanted Forest, 16" x 12", Acrylic/Mixed Media © Robin Phillips Studio

I created this small piece for the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale Art Show curated by Kelly Williams, currently on display at Portland'5 Centers for the Arts through May 31. Each participating artist chose a scene from one of the Grimm's Brothers stories to illustrate. If you're in the Portland area and haven't seen it yet, do check out this magical show!

My piece is based on a scene from the story Twelve Dancing Princesses:

“Then down they all went, and at the bottom they found themselves in a most delightful grove of trees; and the leaves were all of silver, and glittered and sparkled beautifully…. Then they came to another grove of trees, where all the leaves were of gold; and afterwards to a third, where the leaves were all glittering diamonds… On the other side of the lake stood a fine illuminated castle.”

To me, this is one of the most magical scenes in the story. The princesses escape through an enchanted forest of silver, gold and diamonds to meet their princes and dance all night long. I hoped to capture a sense of excitement and wonder in this painting.

Through the Enchanted Forest prints (photo or giclee) are now available in the RPS shop! Wouldn't this print be adorable in a little girl's room? Or it would add a whimsical touch to a feminine/antique room. :)

Behind the scenes, painting in the studio...

I approached this piece with a vision of an old German book cover opening to illuminate the scene. The princesses are descending down the cellar stairs and through a doorway into the magical forest. To create the figures, I referred to images of bridal and Victorian models. One of my favorite Victorian fashion sources is the classic Godey's Lady's Book. 

For the scrollwork, I traced design templates and then filled in the filigrees with a tiny brush. 

I hand-stitched metallic-foil glass beads through the canvas to create the effect of diamonds in the trees. 

On opening night...I became a princess myself :)

Framed and hanging at the show on the 'Wall of Maidens'...  

"Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale" - Hans Christen Anderson

♥ Robin

Yucatan, Mexico

Time has really flown by since my last post, but now I have Mexico pictures for you! Recently, I've been immersed in a busy stretch of new website projects and paintings- which I am excited to share soon. Anyway, without further ado...

We started off our trip in Cancun, then drove around the entire Yucatan Peninsula visiting small towns, ruins, cities and everything in between for two weeks.

Historical town of Valladolid

A beautiful church in Izamal, and the most wonderful lunch there...

Stunning Mayan ruins with many carvings still intact at the large site, Chitzen Itza....

Next we were on to the capital city of Merida...

Every neighborhood has a central plaza...

We stayed in the sweetest boutique hotel with homemade meals...

Came home with the teal blue one the left! Saw so many beautiful textiles....

Mayan displays and artifacts at Museo Cultural de Maya, the artistic detail is just astounding

Of course I found my way into a fabric/crafts store.... had a challenge testing my Spanish :)

But, left with a full bag!

Next we were off to see more ruins....

The grand site of Uxmal.... Can you imagine what a large city center this must have been?

At Sabah, a small remote site, we saw the most stunning relief sculpture still intact...

Along the way, we lunched at a beautiful hacienda in the country...

An exquisitely carved pineapple...

And stayed the night at another one....

The next morning we were off to Calakmul, a large jungle site who's first leader was the powerful  Jaguar Paw

At the top! We saw monkeys in the trees...

And then back to the coast/ Riveria Maya for several days on the beach....
We stayed in Akumal at the main beach, which is known for sea turtles. Got a chance to see several while snorkeling!

Agave and Ginger at the Jardin Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barerra Marin

More ruins on the coast at Tulum...

My favorite art galleries by the beach... :)

And finally ♥ Artesanias Mexicanas ♥  Some of the treasures we brought back :)

And a tiny sketch from the beach....

♥ Amo a Mexico!