Inspire- Spring

Happy Spring! Inspirations lately...

"Our greatest joy is when we seek to do good for others" - Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The Portland Home and Garden show, Orchid Society

A touch of spring in the garden....

"There are always flowers for those who want to see them" -Henri Matisse

In the studio...

More inspiration minis coming!  (This series of small originals are created in acrylic and mixed media on wood panel- Follow RPS Instagram  #inspirationminis for updates or visit the RPS Shop- Inspiration Minis to view all available for sale)

Minis in progress- Peace Mandala, Rainbow Mandala, All One, Giving, Bright Spirit

Sneak peek, new larger paintings:

 Creatrix, Mother Earth- in progress (a section)

Reflection, first sketch

Sewing/fabric followers, expect to see some new floral patchwork pillow patterns coming soon! The series will include rose, iris, lily, and orchid.

And... back to creating :)

Xoxo,

Robin

New Year, New Horizons

Around here, we are ready to ring in the new year! 

And in a few short weeks Jeff and I are off to the Yucatan! On our way, we will visit family we haven't seen in a while in Atlanta, which will be so nice.  I will be posting pictures of our adventures on Instagram @robinstudio and RPS Facebook. Expecting to create a new series of paintings based on this trip, it will be an amazing experience. Can't wait to discover the Mayan ruins, landscapes and gardens,  native art and crafts. We'll be driving all over the peninsula visiting a variety of cities and of course, beaches. :)

In progress: Siamese Parlor, Meditation, Owl Spirit, Eagle Spirit paintings

In the studio lately...

Creating more small pieces to replace those sold for OneDer Gallery. If you're in Portland, do check it out! All art is local and priced under $100- such a great deal.

In collaboration with Renee Phillips of Manhattan Arts International, I am now working on artist websites nationally. I'm delighted to be working with Renee, who is an amazing coach and advocate for the arts. A new RPS website is also in the works. Stay tuned!

And for fun, more holiday sewing.

In the new years sewing basket are more kitchen towels, hot pads, and perhaps a new table runner (if there is time :))  Sewers, stay tuned for new winter and spring pattern releases to be announced soon!

The winter garden...

I am always in awe watching nature cycle through the seasons. Isn't it truly amazing? Now the garden is at rest, and it has cleared the slate for a new horizon, new growth, new possibilities.

We saw a few snowflakes in the air the other day, but alas no snow. Growing up in Wisconsin, I used to be so tired of the snow, but these days I have fond memories of how beautiful it looks. Especially on all the evergreens around here... a touch of snow would be nice! The rain drops we have are stunning though- shimmering on the plants in early morning light. And feeling thankful for how the winter rain keeps everything so nourished and green ;)

Japanese Garden- Winter  © Robin Phillips Studio

Blessings to you for a happy new year!

♥  Robin

Winter Garden- Dew Drops, Art Prints

Dew Drops © Robin Phillips Studio

It's been a warm winter here, almost like spring some days! Nonetheless, I'm still embracing the slow energy of winter- planning new business ideas and planting new seeds.

Japanese Maple, winter

Our winter rain in the Northwest brings lots of morning dew, and plants literally shimmer with a crystalline glow. Above is the Japanese Maple in our front yard on a misty, rainy day. Isn't it stunning? This gorgeous dew is the inspiration behind my Dew Drops pattern collection! This collection of 10 patterns (each print sized 8x10) is available as a printable design download in the RPS shop. Use these designs for paper crafts such as scrapbooks, cards or invites (Note: the design download is for personal use only. Licensing inquiries are welcome.)

'Winter Branches' from Dew Drops © Robin Phillips Studio

This collection is perfect for winter/early spring cards, new baby announcements or scrapbooks,  garden notebooks or whatever you envision :) Try folding a sheet in half and using it as stationery (write on the blank side). Note: I enlarged the size on some of the prints shown here up to 120% using a color copier.

Rose bush leaf

Here are some crafty ideas:

Behind the scenes, making Dew Drops in Adobe Illustrator... it's so fun to play with different colorways and layer pattern designs. Typically, I come up with several options and then narrow it down to shades of two or three colors.

Euphorbia

'Leaf Fancy' from Dew Drops © Robin Phillips Studio

And last but not least,  check out the collection of winter/nature art and designs currently in the RPS shop .... :)

From the garden...

Winter has been amazingly light this year!

Snowdrops

Lenten Roses

Daffodil shoots (already!)

Camellia (and 'Christmas Cheer' Rhododendrons too) are blooming

In the Japanese garden, the Koi are still hibernating...

Winter Fire Dogwood- love the red-orange branches...

And now is the time for lots of pruning and planting fruit trees!

PS.  RPS is now on Instagram! Follow me at @robinphillipsstudio