Kristen Robinson

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The Path Less Taken

As I sit by the window this morning curled up in the comfy chair I find solace in the cool breeze that is drifting in; billows of air do not raise the curtains from their resting place but rather whisper against them softly. One lone solar lantern (hanging on the tree outside) is slowly dimming as the night sky passes and daylight whispers. It is in this moment I find it time to write, time to share again to break the quiet I chose to put into place this summer. 

For the last 3 months I did something I felt was rather brave and much needed....I shuttered my blog and stepped back from social media. Saying it was freeing beyond words is not only an understatement but also fails to relay the feelings it produced within me. While I know there are many who have done this in the past - unplugged if you will, I have always been full of trepidation when it came to the idea of shuttering things for a while. The fear of being forgotten or becoming lost in the sea of remember her overwhelmed me at times; I became very good at convincing myself that if I took a real break I would become lost and only a memory. Opportunities would cease and I would stall, slowly I would come to a halt in the creative world.

After returning from teaching at the start of June I felt filled and renewed. My confidence was in place it was time to leap. The biggest challenge I battled internally was whether I should publically announce my break or just DO IT. I chose the latter - no one needed to hear me lament this choice (or read about it for that matter). I did not publically need to bow out for a bit, as my reasons for doing so were far deeper than I felt comfortable sharing. I can promise you I will share more of this but for now I am allowing myself to find my comfy place again, to re-establish my goals and honor the nature of creating and writing.

Making this decision was small compared to the things that go on in our world with those we know and those we do not. However, I can say without a doubt it was one of the BEST and BIGGEST things I have done in a while. There were no moments this summer of saying goodbye to the Not so Little Man and then succumbing to immense guilt has my plane took its place amongst the clouds. The alarm clock did not rattle me awake hours before the rest of the house had to rise, and perhaps the best thing of all we did what we wanted to do, we played, we hiked, and we talked, watched movies in the yard, ate when hungry and just had a good old-fashioned summer!

I found the fun me again, the one who has the ability to balance life and work, the one who loves to be outside exploring the world. The girl who found every moment to be an adventure is back and I have to say I could not be happier or more thrilled. Falling out for a bit was one of the best things I have done in a long time as I have landed back on my feet with joy in my heart and a renewed purpose.

 

An Interview With Me

One of the hardest things for most of us to do is put ourselves in the public eye. I would be lying if I told you being on camera is easy for me as it is not a natural thing to do. However, I will say it has gotten a lot easier than it used to be.

That said I thought it might be fun to share this interview with you as it is a little glimpse into who I am and why I love to create art so much. Have a happy and creative day my friends!

 

My New Videos and DVD's - Continued

Okay so call me impatient...I had planned to create a blog post for each of the new videos/DVD's but frankly I am so excited I cannot wait so with0ut further ado here is a peek of the new releases all available on the Interweave site  or Artists Network TV.

Yes I am completely enthralled with brown paper and cereal bags and when you put them together what do you create - a plethora of beauty. My Upcycled Art Journal video is bursting with info and techniques (quite literally as I worked right through the 60 minute mark and turned it into 83 minutes of creating).

 

Because I am so completely addicted to the idea of taking materials that seem harsh and transforming them into treasures of beauty, I could not resist the idea of putting together a shadowbox created with paper clay and plaster. As a bonus Interweave created a special kit that includes a wee bird (like the one seen on the DVD cover) in each of the kits. I think we all know how much I love little birdies - expecially as I created over 100 of them just for this.

I embrace every opporunity I have to create with paper, paint and molding paste. Tear, Glue, Paint and Draw allowed me to play with my stencils, mark making tools, paper, pencils, ephemera and of course paint. 

 

And last but not least a little peek of Sewn Collage Classroom  - my ode to all things I love!!!! Paper, Fabric, Paint and Stitching.

I hope you enjoy the videos as much I as enjoyed creating them to share with all of you!

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My New Videos and DVD's - Sewn Collage Classroom

My New Videos and DVD's - Sewn Collage Classroom

Oh my does time fly. I cannot believe teaching in Michigan went so fast. It is always so hard to say goodbye to friends - I wish we were not separated by thousands of miles, it makes it that much harder to be apart. I reaslized after I got home we neglected to take group photos, this is what happens when we become deluged in creativity.

Just before I left my newest DVD's were released. To say I am over the moon is an understatement as all fourof them are not only informative, unique and fun but filmed and edited brilliantly (thank you F&W crew you know I love you). 

The first of the batch Sewn Collage Classroom is an ode to all of my favorties fabric, paint, words, buttons and of course stitching. I love to incorporate all of these treasures into one piece of art as they tell a tale on their own while at the same time allow one to step out of the mainstream collage box and jump into the anything goes pool. Not to mention they make great journal covers and wall hangings.

I hope you carve out a bit of your time to create; check out Artists TV Network it is AMAZING - think Netflix only Arts and Crafts. If you like to own a hard copy pop on over to the Interweave Store.

For now I am enjoying the time with Conner as we soak up the rays of summer and basque in the break we both needed. 

The Beauty and The Guilt

 

Part of this amazing journey I am on takes me away from home! For those of you that know me you understand that home is the MOST important thing to me - not just the structure but those I love and cherish within these walls. It is amazing to me that I get to do what I do, I could not be more excited or more honored to share my creativity with the world. 

With this (for me), comes the automatic response to share a bit of my heart. While I choose not to share all facets of my life (I thank you deeply for understanding this), I do wear my heart on my sleeve. One only has to look into my eyes to see my emotions. As I look in the mirror right now I see a mixed concoction filled with the joy of traveling to share the joy and creativity and the other emotion - guilt. 

It is always hard for me to go - especially as the little man is not so little any longer but 13 years old. I feel guilty for not being here for every moment, every experience, every meal and every night time tuck in. This time is especially hard as Conner had a horrible reaction to a bee sting; one the Doctor has deemed will only get better with rest and no use, oh and a wee bit of Benadryl. As I sit with him as he builds yet another building in his Minecraft world (one of the perks of bed rest) he tells me "don't worry Mom I'll be fine"....heart laughs as he says "Grandma and Papa raised you and Auntie I will be fine".

The guilt is still there but alongside that is  excitment and happiness as I venture off to SmittenDust where my heart will be spilling over and my time will feel all too short come Monday monring when I fly home. 

A New View of Rue - Bezels That Is

I truly adore taking things that are meant for one application and finding a new idea for them. This week I offer up not one but two videos for your viewing pleasure. To view the tools and materials for both projects, as well as how to be sure to pop of over to the Stampington Blog - Somerset Place as they are featuring these projects. 

 

 

Explore Mixed Media Collage - Art Journaling Week 2

It is week two of my new video series based on my latest book with Ruth Rae.

 

This week I incorporated, wax stamps, paint, drawing/sketching and pencils into my artwork. The challenge I presented to myself - use MORE color and fill the page.

I elected to keep the choices to 5 total as this does not limit me however it gets me thinking about how many different colors in the same family work well together to tell their story.

 

I hope you enjoy the video and create, create, create!

Explore Mixed Media Collage - Art Journaling

I am so happy that I am ready to share this video series with you. Based on my latest book with Ruth Rae....We will be exploring the techniques that we introduced within the pages of Explore Mixed Media and applying them to art journaling. Putting a spin on things a bit and challenging ourselves.

This week the challenge is simple - using color. 

Techniques Used From the Book

Building a Paper Background

Using Tapes

Making Marks

Handstitiching

Paint

Stencils

I hope you have an amazing time creating and challening yourself to work outside the bounds that you might normally bind yourself in. Enjoy the video!

 

New Video Series - Explore Mixed Media Collage

I am so excited about my new video series chock full of mixed media techniques. I am kicking things off with a quick tag how to.

 

Explore Mixed Media Collage - Tag from Kristen Robinson on Vimeo.

Today was a defintiely a challenging day shooting as my video camera decided to check out. Hence the Iphone 6 Plus saved the day, now off to figure out better camera placement as I am not in love with the angles (but I do love the project)! I hope you enjoy watch, for weekly Mixed Media Collage posts as there is a bounty of CREATIVITY to be had!