We recently connected with Robyn Gibson and have shared our conversation below.

Robyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve been making art since the 3rd grade. I knew back then that I wanted to create, but I didn’t know that I could be a professional artist. I don’t think I really understood what that meant other than being an art teacher. I took art classes all the way up through high school then put the art making aside majored in Marketing my first couple years in undergrad. I wanted to prepare myself for a job that would pay me, but I felt like something was missing. I needed to make art, so I decided to double major in Marketing and Fine Art. I knew I wanted to be a professional artist at this point, but I didn’t really believe it was possible until my second year in grad school in NYC.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a multidisciplinary artist so I work in many different mediums. My favorite ways of creating are drawing and ceramics. I make large scale abstract female figures on canvas using charcoal, different color stains, and gesso. These figures are usually larger than life size and portray movement. The may be engaging in physical alterations, pushing or pulling one another, and often boxing. They also often overlap and fold into one another, becoming part of each other. These figures are self portraits, and I use them to explore my trauma, thoughts, emotions, and changes as I move through life. I began boxing in 2016 and almost immediately started incorporating it into my art practice. I realized I was discovering a new part of myself through my boxing practice. I still box today, and although my practice is different because it doesn’t have the same freshness it had when I first began, it still teaches me a lot about who I am and who I want to be. My boxing practice helps to inform my art practice and vice versa.

As I mentioned before I also love ceramics. I’ve been working in clay since 2019 and I have not looked back. I make vessels that are extensions of my body. When I’m overwhelmed or just feeling too much and can’t contain it all, these vessels are spaces for the excess. I’m almost compelled to make them. Their forms mimic the drawings I make. I also create a line of meditative ceramics that include incense burners. I make and sell two different kinds. One is a multifunctional burner that allows you to burn both incense sticks and cones. The other is made specifically for back-flow incense and allows the smoke to cascade down almost like water. I make teapots with their own small cups as part of this line as well. I’m working on planters and candles to add to the line. I think finding ways to bring peace and beauty into your home is very important, especially these days when peace feels like it’s in short supply. It is my hope that these meditative ceramics will help others, and myself, slow down, breathe deeply and on purpose, and be in the moment. I’m currently working on adding these to a shop on Etsy. Right now my multifunctional burners are available for purchase on Etsy, and the rest of the line is coming soon.

I love the things that I make. I love the drawings, the vessels, and the meditative ceramics. Not only do I love creating them, but I love the objects themselves because they are part of my healing journey, and I want to encourage others to find healing too. I’m very intentional about what I put out into the world, and my art is my way of spreading love in this world that can feel very cold at times.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am currently going through a season of unknown. It’s a bit frustrating because everything feels temporary right now. It’s forcing me to live moment to moment and do very minimal long term planning. I’m not used to this. I had to move back home to live with my mom. I have two part time jobs that I enjoy, but they don’t fulfill me like my art practice. I don’t have my own studio right now so most of said art practice is on hold, and my financial situation is the worst it’s ever been. I’m not saying all of this to complain, but I’m sharing it all because I’m in the middle of a very interesting learning process and huge life shift, or pivot if you will. Before I moved back home to Louisville, KY I was living a very independent life in New York City. I had a community of artist friends that supported me, a studio, and goals that all involved me staying in NYC for several years. But life happened, and a year ago I had to leave that world behind. I mourned and I’m still trying to adjust, but it put me in a unique position. I’m no longer quite as independent, but I now have a support system that allows me to do what I need to do to start my new business selling ceramics. My two part time jobs allow me flexibility in my schedule so I can prioritize my boxing practice in a way I could not do in NYC. In fact I could not box while I was in NYC for the past few years. It drove me a little crazy. I do not have my own studio, but I am able to work out of a community studio where I make my line of meditative ceramics. I miss my art family in NYC, but I’m growing a community here in Louisville and discovering a part of the city that I didn’t really know about before I moved back. Yes, it’s hard. And everything feels very temporary. At the same time however, that just gives me the flexibility to explore opportunities that I didn’t know were possible and meet people who are expanding my world even further. I am not comfortable, but how often do we grow in our comfort zones?

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I feel like I say this all the time, but it is what it is. The only way that creatives can thrive is if they’re appreciated and properly compensated for their work. Society understands the need for what we create. We all consume content and goods/services that are provided by creative individuals, but there is a disconnect in that consumption. Oftentimes society wants what we make but does not want to see the humanity behind the creation. (Or worse, wants to remove it!) That’s a huge problem. When you forget that people put hard work, time, tears and parts of themselves into what they make it’s easy to lose sight of the value of what we provide. It’s already difficult for many of us to put a price on what we do. So when society tells us that that price is too high or tries to cheapen our work because manufacturers or AI can make/generate things for less money it’s damaging. I need people to understand that creatives are people. When you buy our work you’re getting so much more than something that was quickly assembled by an automated machine. You’re connecting with another human. That’s what art is about, connection. Automation and AI should be used as a tool not a substitute. Creatives thrive when we share the things that we love and discover that others love them too. Plus we have to eat and pay our bills like everyone else. Let’s not forget that.

Contact Info:

• Website: RobynAleceGibson.com
• Instagram: @theartist_rag
• Facebook: Robyn Gibson
• Etsy: https://theartistragstudio.etsy.com/