We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Robin Sievers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Robin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Before retirement in 2011, I owned a boutique Crisis Public Relations company. When we moved to the North Georgia mountains I created and filled our windows with stained glass. In 2019, I told my husband, Keith, ‘I want to go to art school.’ A few months later, just prior to COVID he was diagnosed with a rare skin cancer and entered treatment. We thought it was contained but it turned out to be very aggressive and spread through lymph nodes and into his lungs requiring a complicated surgery and three years of treatments. However, I did continue on and attended art school via on online course taught by one of our favorite artists. It was a godsend over the next several years as we quarantined and traveled for treatment.

My art is inspired by a deep and personal relationship with God. I lay hands on each blank canvas and ask Him, ‘What do you want me to do.’ He always answers. I love texture and rich colors and often incorporate pieces of dried paint from my pallet. While I started painting as a hobby, through word of mouth, exhibits in local galleries and shows, I have grown my business almost to the point where I now paint full time. (almost full time…retirement is still fun) I have a $20.00 bill from my first sale tacked on the wall in my studio to remind myself, ‘Yes, I AM an artist.’

Underneath each painting is a scripture, a line from my favorite poet, a song or some sort of blessing. Often unseen in the finished work, I include it in the Certificate of Authenticity for each piece. Countless times someone stands before my paintings and says, ‘Gosh…this painting just FEELS good.’

Keith and I have decided on a rather unique business model that suits both of our dedication to not-for-profits supporting children and families and celebrates my art as a gift from God. We pull enough money from each sale to pay taxes and resupply the studio then we donate the rest to charity. We also donate paintings for fund raisers for local agencies and occasionally when we see someone looking at a piece who clearly doesn’t have the money to purchase it…we give it away. How fun is that!

The name of my business, Next30Art came from a thought I had some 20 years ago…’How do I want to spend my next 30 years?’ Next3o became our mantra when we started to plan for retirement and even though we are both in our 70’s, we still look ahead to the ‘what’s next?’

Robin, 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?

As I stand in my studio with a blank canvas on my easel, I ask God to show me what He wants. Often I will ‘see’ the painting in my head while I’m hiking or reading or golfing and just know what to do and how to name each piece.

It was never my intention to be a ‘working artist’ however opportunities came and I am as busy as I want to be. Living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains I have a constant stream of inspiration. Often I will see the name of the painting in my mind then go about the creative work. I little more ‘backwards’ than normal but it works for me!

During art school I found ‘my voice’ as an Abstractionist. I also realized I hated to draw and found working with small canvases to be tedious! Many of my pieces are done with brayers and pallet knives without a single paint brush every touching the canvas. I work with earpods in and my favorite play list and my husband can always tell I am happy with the work when he sees me dancing while I paint. Unfortunately for him, I also often sing!

While I do embrace commissions I am very clear that their vision will need to fit my painting voice. I take a minimal deposit and if the finished piece is not what they expected they are under no obligation to take it. So far…my clients have been happy which makes me happy.

I am not only unafraid to try new techniques I love experimenting. Though the painting may end up in the trash, I always learn something so there is no failure in my work.

Even though I do now call myself ‘an artist’ when I see someone moved by my work it often surprises me and brings me to tears. I think, ‘Who am I that at 65 years old, with no art background, is now an artist?’ My answer is always, ‘because it brings me joy.’

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

So many people have said, ‘I am not creative. I could never do what you do.’ I disagree with that. People often think being ‘artistic’ is something you’re born with. I know I did. What I know to be true is we are ALL creatives. Perhaps it’s art or music. Maybe it’s creating a beautiful environment in your home or office. Maybe you have the heart of an encourager or nurturer and you create hope in others. Do you rescue animals and create the hope of a possible life for them where before there was none? Can you walk into your kitchen and create a meal from whatever is in your pantry and frig? Do you volunteer your time to help someone in need? If you do any of these things or others that bring you and others joy, you my friend are a creative. Please never sell yourself short.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

When I climb the stairs to my studio and flip on the light, I see me in every corner. I have pictures my grandchildren and nieces have painted for me, ribbons I’ve won from local art shows, scripture, pictures from my work in Public Relations, a paint stained oriental rug and strings of white lights and I smile. This is mine, just mine and it reflects me, just me.

Putting a blank canvas on my easel and standing there asking ‘what do you want?’ always and in all ways inspires me. My mind starts to run down paths I never knew existed until I begin this creative journey and I find I love every minute of the process.

As odd as it sounds, it’s not the exhange of money for my art that is the most rewarding for me. It is watching someone look at my art and really experience it. It’s hearing the voice of God say, ‘well done.’ It’s a complete release of ego and not equating ‘sales’ with ‘success’. The unleashing of the creative spirit that lives in me is 100% the release of joy. Now, have I had times I struggled with the ego question ‘why isn’t my art selling?’ Absolutely. But, I don’t stay there. To stay there literally turns off my creative spicket. I remember to look at a torn piece of canvas that hangs by my easel that reads, ‘Dear Robin, Paint what’s in your heart. The sell or not sell is not important. Love, God’ and I just paint, free from expectations.

If I am working on a piece that is fighting me, I stop and either bring out the gesso or just toss the canvas. If a work is fighting me then I’m not going to argue with it, I’ll just start over!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.next30art.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/next30art/