We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Robins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen below.

Karen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Although I always considered myself creative, a turning point materialized when I decided to create a book commemorating my Daughter’s 21st Birthday.
The book chronicled through photos, memorabilia, letters written by cherished Friends and Family, all of her 21 years.
It was a true labor of love and the undertaking resulted in a 20lb book that spanned a five month period of creation.
I had no idea how to do this but as time went on, I became so immersed with the process that when it was completed and gifted I was left with a wanting for more.
This was the onset of the refueling period and the quest to feed my creativity.

Karen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Growing up in Montréal, Canada I was surrounded by a very creative Family.
My Brother was an accomplished Artist at a young age. My Parent’s were talented and successful Jewellers. We worked as a Family in the Business.
After moving to Toronto in the 80’s and partnering in launching a high end Jeanswear retail store with my Husband, my interest in Art ignited.
Although I had no formal Art Education, I started to take classes in various mediums and soon discovered a passion for the experimental style of Mixed Media Art.
I was drawn to all that potential of working with a wide range of materials. Collage, Printmaking, Assemblage, Photography and Acrylics all held such potential for my desire to create rich and interesting layers in my Art.
Repurposed materials excited me and those often discarded elements found a place in my work.
Entering Art Exhibitions boosted my self confidence and fueled my desire to create more, exhibit more, and push my journey farther.
After moving to South Florida for 27 years, raising my Daughter and Son there, my Husband and I moved to Bentonville,
NW Arkansas where he could be closer to his Business contacts. This was in
March 2020 during the Covid Epidemic.
With everything in shut down mode, we lived near the trail that led to
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. I walked the trail daily and it was there that I found respite and inspiration. The nature and beauty of the trails and with the Museum remaining opened, I felt I could breathe!
As things rebounded I found opportunities to show my work, develop a website, join a Guild, use social media and form some wonderful associations.
Although selling Art is far from an easy undertaking, I found some success in these ways.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

After having moved from living in South Florida for 27 years, where my Art Career seeded, I moved March 2020 to Bentonville, Arkansas. This was at the apex of the Covid Epidemic.
Away from everyone and everything I knew, my life was now an opened road of uncertainty.
I had no contacts, no associations, and like so many others, I was isolated and adrift, doubly so as “a stranger in a strange land”.
Thankfully, I lived within walking distance to the glorious trails that led to the beautiful
Crystal Bridges Museum of Modern Art.
I found beauty in nature, a respite from the uncertainty of the times, and an inspiration and joy that were sustaining.
When The Museum finally opened, another level of joy and comfort came with that.
As things started to reopen I began to look for opportunities to engage with like minded Artists, find Exhibitions to enter, take courses and find mentorship.
I worked steadily and seriously in my home Studio.
Slowly and surely, things started to bloom and my confidence grew.
At this time I started to work on my Website and although the process was taxing, a bucket list item now had a completion check!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Although the final outcome of working on a piece is always gratifying, the joy and satisfaction for me is in the process.
I love the phase of assembling my materials, conceptualizing a plan, and moving through the changes and the morphing of any direction as the piece changes.
I find this so stimulating.
I also take such delight in acquiring unique and artful materials to have in my collection.
It makes for interesting times to be on the hunt for these treasures.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Karenesbinrobins.com
• Instagram: allinartprints
• Facebook: Karen Robins