ABOUT Me, Robin Thibodeau :)
Watch this fun four-ish minute video to find out just what I do, why I continue to do it and how I started! A VERY BIG thanks for her filming, editing and interviewing skills: Elisa Shigehiro! AND NOW she, with her team of three, is the WINNER of Best Picture of the Okotoks Film Festival's 48 Hour Film Challenge! WATCH HERE for "Yellow Crane" on YouTube!
My debut as a local respected artist came in 1990: Grade 9, at 15 I was asked to draw a commemorative portrait of a classmate who had tragically lost her life. It was completed in graphite, framed and hung prominently in the Okotoks Junior High today. Shifting to my grade 12 year, I created a hallway mural depicting lockers slowly morphing into a road to symbolize the transition from school to the 'real world' which lead to my Art Award of Excellence from Foothills Composite High School.
Enrolled in Alberta College of Art & Design (now known as The University of the Arts) in the Drawing Program, gave me 4 intense years of high expectations, yet extremely inspiring professional arts education. In between semesters, I attended art markets, festivals and shows offering portraits and designing promotional material for local businesses
At the end of my program, I earned my Diploma in the Visual Arts: Honours with Distinction. I found employment as a graphic designer, muralist, portrait artist, cake decorator, gift shop associate and basically the go-to local artist. By 2001, I took a chance and offered three different courses to Okotoks Community Programs. Without knowing it then, I had actually embarked on my career as an art instructor! Those three little classes evolved into 19 years of teaching art classes, running fine art camps for a few years and of course, workshops for teens and adults at the Okotoks Art Gallery.
In 2006 I achieved my Art Framers & Design Certificate and one year later, opened my Inspiration Studio to private art students that had 'aged out' of my Community Programs. These kids were seeking more one-on-one instruction and more advanced techniques that could not be accommodated within the OAG. Many of these students are now successful young artists in the fields of: Glass Blowing, Drawing, Painting, Film and Animation.
2008 - 2010 I joined forces with Master Silversmith and art teacher of many talents, Shirley Paradis teaching Fine Art Camps at The Okotoks Art Gallery from 2008- 2010. 2011's Fine Art Camps were run by myself along with Special Guest artists as my complements.
2012, I began The Fantasy Fine Art Camps through my Inspiration Studio now eight years running. 2020's summer camps are likely to look a bit different with regard to the coronavirus pandemic still being managed. Camps can be Double-Day, Triple-Day and Five Day Camps running five hours daily.
But WHAT ABOUT MY WORK?
My original work consists of a wide variety of mediums, subject matters, mediums and musings so I had to separate them by medium and by theme! Browse my many galleries here. There is much to see, and I'm always adding more:) Before the coronavirus pandemic, I was consistently hanging original art inside a local coffee shop, but now most of my work is on display inside my home. I don't currently have an online shop due to the amount of maintenance it requires and quite honestly, I'd prefer to simply have a chat online or meet in person or through video conferencing where I can take you on a virtual tour of my work.
In late March 2019, I enrolled in full time 2 year Marketing Coordinator Diploma Program through The Academy of Learning Career College. Currently I am 28 courses in, with THREE more to go!
I have also teamed up with one Canadian-run, international online platform through Art in Canada for marketing to international collectors, both of which invited me to join their cause. With no commissions taken, I can keep my price points affordable. Original art is best viewed in person, so should you be interested in seeing a piece in person, or through Zoom you can set up a private viewing with me through my Studio. CONTACT me here to set it up! Below is a snapshot of what you will see in my Virtual Art Galleries!
TAKE-Away Art Projects
As a major response to the Covid-19 lockdown and with respect to social distancing, I transformed projects that would have been what kids made in art camps. To see what kids have created so far, head to this linkDRAWING
Smaug - alcohol-based marker drawing by me:)According to the Chinese Zodiac I was born during the Fire Dragon year of 1976:
They are gentle in manner, diligent in work, independent in life, and they have the enthusiasm and determination to do things well. They have outstanding working and management abilities and creative opinions, so they are born with leadership.
If you want to see more of my dragon creations click the picture!
PAINTING & DRAWING
Celtic AstrologicalArtwork: Seeker_Falcon_Elder
I LOVE to draw and paint with a variety of materials so I created a full series of the Celtic Lunar Astrology. To see more click the link.
MURAL: Serendipity Pre-Kindergarten Mural 2012
This commissioned mural is still onsite in Okotoks on #106 Elma Street.It was painted on wood, with Benjamin Moore exterior latex paint... and I even worked there for quite some time!
POINTILLISM
Dueling Yearling DragonsThe third in the series of small pointillism drawings, the Dueling Yearlings were another rewarding and meditative pieces. To see the preceding images click the picture!
OAC mini flyer design
As a volunteer for the Okotoks Arts Council, from 2003 - 2020, I evolved quickly into their marketing director, designer and event planner... to see more of what I created and coordinated for the OAC click the linkHISTORICAL FIGURE
Title of DrawingHuman Takes Flight
Supremely inspired by the Great da Vinci, I integrated the maestro's wing design with drawing of a dancer I saw at a ballet.
DESIGN
Title of piece: Winter ManadaMandalas took hold of my creativity one fall when I was developing a HomeSchool program to coincide with STEM learning models. If you'd like to see more about what I teach, click the link
DIPLOMA with DISTINCTION
Recently changed to the University of the Arts, I attended the college's Drawing Major program and earned my Diploma with Distinction in the Visual Arts.To visit the institution, click the picture:)
POTTERY
Crown Chakra Handbuilt PitcherI love playing with clay...it's therapeutic for me and once I figured out how to create vessels without a wheel, I couldn't stop making more and more of them. To see more... go to the link.
PORTRAITURE
Title of piece: Derek Acorah (in soft pastels)Drawing portraits is truly my very first love. This portrait represents my favourite medium as well as my interest in psychic mediums.
Unfortunately, he passed away January 2020 but you can still visit his Facebook page by clicking the link.
ASTROLOGY
Strengths: Generous, idealistic, great sense of humor.Sagittarius likes: Freedom, travel, philosophy, being outdoors
Curious and energetic, Sagittarius is one of the biggest travelers among all zodiac signs. Their open mind and philosophical view motivates them to wander the earth for truth and justice