We were lucky to catch up with Craig Robb recently and have shared our conversation below.

Craig, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Of course I’ve asked myself what would my life be like if I was doing something other than creating art. Making the big bucks in that mid-management position. As an artist, I’ve faced many struggles throughout my career. The fight for recognition, studio time and the financial strain to name a few. So I’ve often questioned my decision to be an artist
At one time, I did have that regular job in the corporate world but being one to always buck authority, it was not a good fit. I do often wonder though how different my life would be if I stayed. The things that I could afford to have and the things I could have done but would I have felt fulfilled.
We all have jobs that support our habit but our focus is on the art. After getting my degree, I was fortunate enough get the job of sculpture shop technician at the University of Denver. A fancy name for the shop guy. I remember students asking me what it was like to be a professional artist. I would tell them my trials and tribulations and the hours I needed to put in to become successful. After bemoaning on the difficulties, I would always tell them that despite hard work involved, that in all of the things that I had done through my life, this was the only thing that truly completed me and made me happy.

Craig, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I never really wanted to become an artist. Growing up with two talented, artistic brothers, I always felt the need to create my own path. With one brother a writer, dancer and a musician and the other being a visual artist, there weren’t many creative options left. Watching my brothers struggle in the arts, I really felt that there had to be a better way to earn a living After college, I tried corporate. I enjoyed the work but struggled in the environment. Leaving that, I tried several different things eventually ending up back in school. There, I met a teacher who reintroduced me to and encouraged my artistic side. Soon I was hooked and have been doing it ever since.
In the sculpture world, there are so many options when it comes to the material you chose. Having learned how to create sculpture in almost any media I felt most comfortable with wood so I honed my craft by just working at it. But also in school, I had another teacher who really taught me about content and how to recognize it and to understand it within my art. After breaking the news to my family about the new direction in my life, I started making boxes and filling them with found objects and one that I had made. oh, and my family was very supportive of my decision. I started incorporating steel into the work as a means of displaying the boxes as wall hung. Another thing I learned early on was that everything that you do with a sculpture should be inclusive. Basically, if you hang it, those supports should be incorporated to become part of the whole. Thus, I started expanding the steel structure to become another element of the piece. Transforming from angular structures, to curved, flowing forms made from sheet steel. Being one who is never complacent, I’m always looking for new materials to help embellish the art. To add a splash of color, I began using acrylics. Even doing a series using led lights to liven things up.
I have also been fortunate in that I have been able to create and develop a product that I enjoy building and have allowed myself to change and develop along the way. I have also been lucky that people actually like what I make. I was able to get into a gallery in Santa Fe early on. Over the years, I have been in several galleries there and in the Denver area too but a majority of my more successful endeavors have been through art consultants. Part of that relationship has been a collaborative partnership. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to work like that but soon found that I enjoyed the give and take involved in order to create something amazing.
Probably most proud of the craft that I put into my endeavors. The attention to the details. I always remember working with my brother on a large steel sculpture and he kept struggling with a tiny section of it until he got it right. I told him to step back a few feet and nobody will notice that. His response was, I would know. Over the years that is a common trait I have found in successful artists is that awareness of the small things no one else will see.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

When I first decided to make art as my career, I understood what and how long it takes to become successful at it. Because of that, I knew that I would never become wealthy doing this but would be rich in many other ways. I make art for the passion of creating something no one else can and seeing the world differently than others. The most rewarding moments have come with the conversations I have with people about what I do. Also, when I hear from people years later, how much pleasure they get from looking at my art in their home. I installed a piece for a collector in her house across from the chair where she has her morning coffee. She on occasion will text me to say how much she enjoys looking at the little house in the work. I didn’t make much money on the deal but it makes me smile when I see those texts.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I’ve heard stories over the years of how artists are taken care of in other countries. From financial support to strangers buying your lunch because you are an artist. Not sure how true or realistic that is but it is nothing I have ever expected to happen here. My belief is that the best way to support an artist is to realize how much that they put into creating these pieces. Attend their art shows, complement or thank them for what they do and maybe even purchase their art

Contact Info:

• Website: https://craigrobb.com/
• Instagram: craiger3d
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craig.robb.35/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigrobb/

Image Credits

All images were made by me