Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kathleen Roby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kathleen, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

From a young age, I have always had a desire to explore the world, drawn to the unknown and constantly seeking to push my limits. At the age of 18, I seized the opportunity to fly to England to live there for a whole year, with the goal of learning English. However, this journey exceeded my expectations in terms of learning and went beyond just the language.

Fate placed in my path the experiences of elderly and vulnerable individuals who had led very difficult lives. This period of my life was a revelation for me. I learned to better appreciate cultural differences and understand the social issues that affect each individual.

Thanks to my experience in England, I felt the need to fight for vulnerable individuals and defend their rights. It was after this trip that I made the decision to become a lawyer, specifically dedicating myself to labor law. For nearly 25 years, my career has been dedicated to defending workers in the healthcare and social services field.

Art entered my life shortly after the start of my professional career. In the mid-90s, I began my artistic journey alongside Diane Marineau, a painter. I felt the need to find a space in my life where I could freely express my imagination. That’s why I was naturally drawn to abstract painting, which, unlike figurative painting, allowed me to express my emotions and suggest themes. Throughout my professional life, I have always cherished the idea of one day devoting all my time to painting.

In 2001, I went to live in Australia for six months. During this time, I had the opportunity to meet an Aboriginal community in Bidyadanga, located in the middle of the Australian desert. Fate once again played in my favor, as it was there that I discovered Aboriginal art. For me, it was much more than a simple revelation, it was a true gift from life.

I had the chance to observe these incredible artists, sitting on the ground in the sand, creating their works. I delighted in the beauty of their creations and listened attentively to their conversations in a language I did not know. This mysterious dimension made my artistic experience even more captivating. By sharing these moments with them, I felt a universal connection, that of a common language that unites all human beings.

I met Mandy, whom the Aboriginal people identified as my sister because we both had the same birth date. And Kathleen, her mother… who had the same name as me. What a coincidence! A ceremony was organized and I was baptized: JARMULBA, which means “the moon that shines to us” in Aboriginal. It was now my new Aboriginal name.

I had the privilege of accompanying them on their artistic journey for 6 weeks. I now consider this stay as my artistic retreat dedicated to Aboriginal art. At the time, I did not realize that it would provoke a transformation in me, and that subsequently, all my artistic expression would be inspired by Aboriginal art. Although I continued to paint from time to time, as art was always present in my life, it remained quiet for over 20 years.

It was only at the time of my retirement from my professional career in the autumn of 2021 that I felt a true artistic rebirth. Finally free from all constraints, I was able to fully devote my time to creation. Every day, I set myself the goal of creating a new work. This need to paint quickly turned into a true passion. My art underwent a dramatic evolution, as if it had been latent in me for 20 years, maturing relentlessly. Finally, I was able to fully dedicate myself to my art, with a discipline and rigor that rival my dedication.

My desire to paint quickly turned into an irresistible need to express myself through art. My journey and the different stages of my life have played an essential role in the evolution of my works, giving them a unique depth and meaning. Each painting I create reflects the adventures and experiences I have lived, a true representation of my life. I feel immense satisfaction in choosing this period of my life to fully dedicate myself to my art, as my works become the culmination of all my accumulated experiences.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was born in Neuville, a small village in the countryside near the city of Quebec, where children spent their free time on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Nature was omnipresent in our daily lives, with landscapes made up of cultivated lands and mountains.

Nature is a great source of inspiration for my art. I have a preference for large formats, as it is in this type of support that I thrive the most. I take a completely intuitive approach when I paint, without setting any prior rules. I never have pre-defined goals, I simply let myself be carried away by my environment, whether it’s a sunset or life events.

For example, I created a piece called “Inukshuk; A travers les cendres (Through the Ashes)” on a large format of 72″X48″X1.5″ (see photo included). This painting evokes the tragic events that shook the news in the spring of 2023. I undertook this project when wildfires were devastating the vast forests of Alberta. On the canvas, you can observe the ashes that transcend the canvas.

However, my cartesian side often influences my creations, as technique is sometimes necessary. This could be due to my legal background where rigor and methodology were essential in my professional life. Over time, I have perfected my techniques and deepened my knowledge thanks to renowned artists such as Christine Girard, Jane Davies, Pauline Jans, and Éva Kalien. I have never left technique and inspiration to chance. I have learned a great deal from these inspiring women. I enjoy taking on challenges by confronting the materials I use. I explore different mediums and discover new tools, such as pencils, wooden sticks, or even kitchen utensils. My technique is both quick, spontaneous, and above all, intuitive. Some of my works take months to reveal their secret key, while others only take a few days. When I feel that magic is happening on the canvas, I capture it with my brushes and let the mystery of intuition and my emotions trace their path.

Following the loss of a loved one in June 2023, I felt the need to escape and be alone for a while. To reconnect with my roots, I decided to seek refuge in nature, completely disconnecting from everything, including electricity. It was during my walks in the forest that I had an idea that came back to me thanks to a course I had previously taken. I began to carefully observe the shapes of flowers and leaves, and then collected natural pigments such as peat, wood ash, and rust. These raw materials were then ground into powder to create unique colors. At that time, I could never have imagined that this exploratory adventure would lead to a collaboration project with Michèle Audet, a long-time friend who is a jeweler. I thus created a series of twelve small-format works entitled “Conversation avec la nature (Conversation with Nature).” Each artwork served as inspiration to create a unique piece of jewelry. This series was exhibited at the L’art de vivre gallery in Jonquière, Quebec. You can learn more about this gallery by visiting their website: https://www.artdevivregalerie.com/.

I even involve my partner in all of my creations. I offer framing for all of my works, and these are handmade by the man I share my life with. This adds a special touch to the unique work of my pieces. My partner builds all the frames from start to finish, using local wood from Lac-Saint-Jean.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The years 2022 and 2023 have exceeded all my expectations as an artist. I have sold over forty artworks. Never could I have imagined selling so many pieces in such a short period of time. In addition to that, I had the honor of receiving a Certificate of Artistic Merit awarded by the prestigious Luxembourg Art Prize in 2022. I also had the opportunity to participate in four exhibitions. Some of my artworks even traveled across Canada to British Columbia, while others made an even further journey to Australia. It is an incredible recognition to see my works crossing continents and reaching international audiences.

I am particularly proud to count Martin Léon and Rio Tinto among my collectors. It is an honor to know that my artworks have found their place in such prestigious collections. This motivates me to continue exploring and developing my art, in order to attract the interest of new collectors and share my passion with an ever-growing audience.

What gives me the most satisfaction is seeing some of my collectors experiencing the purchase of an artwork for the first time by acquiring one of my pieces. By acquiring one of my artworks, I offer them the freedom to interpret what it represents to them. It becomes their secret, something they carry with them. The energy I transmit through my creative process transcends into my artworks. It brings me immense joy when my collectors perceive this energy and the artwork they choose can evoke a memory, evoke a sense of kindness and humanity in their home. I appreciate that they love an artwork enough to acquire it. My goal is to make my art accessible, so that everyone can feel that the artwork was specially created for them.

I do not have a specific goal regarding my creative style. I see no value in restricting myself to a routine or specific rules. On the contrary, what sets me apart is my ability to create something unique and new every time I feel the need to do so. This motivates me and represents a challenge for me.

In the beginning of 2024, several projects are getting prepared for me. My portfolio has been selected by a jury to participate in a training program in Louisiana this spring, with Jane Burton, an abstract artist specialized in large formats. I am also exploring the possibility of promoting my art beyond the borders of Quebec.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Despite the fact that art has always been present in my life, I went through a period of doubt where I thought I would never find my instruments and my painting again. This happened shortly after my retirement in 2020, when I even gave all my art supplies to a cousin in the family. However, in just a few months, I realized that art was back in my life. It was the one who came to find me, after all those years of waiting, in order to reconnect with me. I accepted its presence and opened the doors wide to my life, my inspiration, and my emotions. I had the time and the conditions were right. My reservoir of emotions was full and I had many memories and experiences to express and transmit through my works.

In a world where everything is moving at a hundred miles an hour and extreme consumption reigns, I aspire to offer a moment of pause to my viewers, so that they can take the necessary time to observe and understand the message that my works transmit to them. I would like my creations to allow them to discover a universal language, where nature and emotions are highlighted.

I aspire for my works to be a source of admiration and to offer those who contemplate them a moment of peace and happiness. This is my modest contribution as a human being, but also as an artist.

For me, art is a way of seeing life and paying tribute to it. If I had chosen to be a painter earlier in my life, I would certainly have had other things to express, but the message would have been different. I appreciate that it is present here and now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kathleenrobyart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenroby.art/?hl=fr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krobyart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7uZml1phYE&t=17s

Image Credits
images from Kathleen Roby