Although we each interpret the world from our own perspectives, we share a common thread in that we are all in, and of, this planet.  Van Gogh, O’Keeffe, Mondrian, and even Socrates and Aristotle wrote tirelessly about the power of nature to inspire and ignite the soul. When I walk outside, I hear birds, see cloud formations, small creatures, and the textures and colors of the earth. Everything is connected, and our interdependence on one another and on the natural world is paramount to survival.

“Soil, Rock, Root” and “Signs of Life” are consistent themes in my work, representing grounding and foundation, the literal dirt beneath our feet, and the roots that unite all living things. I’m fascinated by the interactions between humans and the flora and fauna that inhabit the spaces we continuously invade and attempt to control. My work often questions the future of this relationship. My paintings and sculptures are Snow White–like stories of my surroundings, expressions of awe at the complexity and perseverance of the planet despite humanity’s relentless drive to explore, conquer, and possess. As an artist, educator, mother, and woman, I feel deeply connected to the living systems that shape and sustain us all.

Being an artist allows me to communicate subtle messages through visual invitation and intrigue. My work is representational through an emotive, abstracted lens. Organic elements of soils, small bugs, sticks, rocks, feathers, nests, ceramic shards, and fabrics are embedded into painted surfaces. I build texture by combining materials to create contrast and variety. Paint is scraped from palettes, squeezed from pastry tubes, and smeared with my hands, creating surfaces sometimes more than two inches thick. Many of the canvases are large in scale.

Sculptural works often grow from the painted imagery, as the paint is sculpted on the canvas, it informs the clay, and vice versa. Though the natural elements are preserved in oil paint, decay inevitably becomes part of the work’s life cycle. Over time, the paint cracks, the surface changes, and the organic material gradually returns to the land from which it came. Life and death, growth and decay, humanity and nature, these dualities are constant themes in my practice.

Raised in the canyons of Hollywood, California in the 1970s, I carry an earthy, bohemian sensibility balanced by a love for abundance and material richness. For over twenty years, I have also worked in education with marginalized and Indigenous communities. Teaching has demanded presence, directness, and clarity qualities that now inform my artmaking. Time is precious, and I’ve learned to create with immediacy, to speak through action, and to let intuition guide the hand.

Lives and works in California.

EDUCATION

2020   

Masters of Arts in Art, N.W. Louisiana State University, Natchitoches, LA

2014   

Bachelors of Fine Arts, Design Institute of San Diego, San Diego, CA

1991   

Post-Baccalaureate Art Education, San Francisco State Univ., San Francisco, CA

1986   

Bachelors of Fine Arts, California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023   

Soil, Rock, Root, Northwestern Louisiana State University, Natchitoches, LA., Curated by Phyllis Lear and Matt DeFord

2018   

The Wisdom of Nature, L Street Gallery, San Diego, CA,. Curated by Kay Colvin

2008   

On and Of the Land, Raleigh Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2002   

Nature as Still Life, Raleigh Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024

Flora and Fauna, Techne Gallery in Conjunction with Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside CA.

Ink and Clay 46: Art and Science Collide, Kellogg University Art Gallery, Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona CA. Curated by Kim Abeles and Alison Ragguette

The Brand 52 Annual Works on Paper, Glendale, CA. Curated by Shanna Nys Dambroot

Melissa Morgan Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA.

2023   

Oceanside Museum of Art Biennial, Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, CA., Curated by Katie Dolgov

Ancestral Connections, Southern Calif. Women’s Caucus, Avenue 50 Studio, Highland Park, CA,. Curated by Chelo Montoya

11th Annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo Juried Exhibition, 29 Palms Gallery, 29 Palms, CA.

Joshua Tree National Park Association Juried Art Show, Joshua Tree Cultural Center, Joshua Tree, CA.

2022   

Art in the Time of Corona, Dab Art, Los Angeles, CA., Curated by Yessica Torres

Joshua Tree National Park Exposition, 29 Palms Gallery, 29 Palms, CA

Artsy, https://www.artsy.net/artist/robin-raznick

2021   

Art in the Time of Corona, Dab Art, Los Angeles, CA., Curated by Yessica Torres

2020   

Celebrating the National Lands, Wildling Museum, Solvang, CA., Curated by Stacey Otte-Demangate                         

2019   

Still Life, Fusion Gallery, Palm Springs, CA

Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition, 29 Palms Gallery, 29 Palms, CA,

Contemporary art Gallery, Online Exhibition, https://www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.gallery/2019-art-competition-cityscapes

2018   

Art of the Horse, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Breeders Cup, Del Mar, CA

2017   

Spectrum, Indian Wells, CA

2016   

Art for Animals, Fusion Gallery, Palm Springs, CA

Worldscapes, La Jolla Art Association, La Jolla, CA

Beyond Blue, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA., Curated by Kate Ashton

Waterscapes, Fusion Gallery, Palm Springs, CA

The Art of Aging, San Fernando Valley Arts and Culture Center; Tarzana, CA

Rock the Red, Art on 30th, San Diego, CA

2015   

Hope, Help Nepal, Art Basel, Miami, FArt, Rhythm, and Wine, San Diego, CA

California Dreaming, Oceanside Museum of Art, San Diego, CA., Curated by Kay Colvin

Beverly Hills artShow, Beverly Hills, CA

2014   

Malibu Arts Festival, Malibu, CA

Beverly Hills artShow, Beverly Hills, CA

2012   

Encinitas Arts Festival, Encinitas, CA

Encinitas Arts Festival, Encinitas, CA

2011   

La Jolla Art and Wine Festival, La Jolla, CA

2010

Laguna Arts Festival; Laguna, CA

2003   

Mica, Design Institute of San Diego, San Diego, CA

2009   

Rise and Fall, Juried Art Competition, Virtual Building Projection, Berlin, Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York

2000   

California Landscapes, Raleigh Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

1998   

Nature and Still Life, Raleigh Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

2025

Mudhouse Residency, Agios Ionnis, Greece

Kipapai Artist Workshop, Sorrento, Italy

2024   

Chateau Orquevaux Residency, Orquevaux, France

2023   

Museum of Art and History, Prime Desert Woodland Residency, Lancaster, California

2022   

Joshua Tree National Park Exposition, First Place Sculpture

2022   

KipaipaiArtist Workshop, Mill Valley, California

2018   

Villa Le Reve, Teaching Residency, Vence, France

Escondido Arts Municipal Gallery, Honorable Mention Painting, Escondido, CA

2014   

Beverly Hills artShow Feature Artist, 1st Place Award Recipient, Beverly Hills, CA

2010   

Walworth Barbour American International School Teaching Residency, Israel

2016   

Crystal Apple Award, Excellence in Education, Oceanside, CA

Delta Kappa Gamma Arts Education Grant

2014   

Oceanside Alumni Arts Scholarship, Oceanside, CA

2007   

American Society of Interior Designers Excellence Award

2005   

San Diego Humane Society, First Place

2002   

Design Education Council Competition, First Place Regional Prize, Western US

PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS

2023  

Suboart Magazine International Art Magazine, https://issuu.com/suboartmagazine/docs/suboart_magazine_6_july_2023_digital

2021  

Joshua Tree National Parks Association Juried Exhibition, https://jtnparts.org/media-room/

2019  

Contemporary Art Gallery, https://www.contemporaryartgalleryonline.gallery/2019-all-cityscapes

California Dreamin;, https://thecoastnews.com/a-brush-with-art-dreams-of-california-through-the-eyes-of-san-diego-artists/

 Art Patron, Robin Raznick Contemporary Works on Paint and Canvas, Summer Issue

Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, Art Exposition Joshua Tree National Park 2019, Juried Artist

2017  

Art of the Horse, https://coolsandiegosights.com/tag/horses/page/2/

Palm Springs Life, https://www.palmspringslife.com/desert-diptych-by-robin-raznick/

Palm Springs Art Patron, Robin Raznick Contemporary Works on Paint and Canvas, Summer Issue

Laguna Beach Art Patron, Robin Raznick Contemporary Works on Paint and Canvas, Summer Issue

2016  

Art and Cake, https://artandcakela.com/2016/07/04/ca-101-california-artists-exhibiting-in-unique-spaces/

2014  

Beverly Hills artShow, https://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/06/prweb11941024.htm