Voyage Dallas: Q & A with Kim Robbins

Voyage DallasQ: Kim, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

A: I began drawing and painting in elementary school, developing a passion for the arts at an early age. Dance, painting, and theater were present in all aspects of my life. I attended Trinity University as an art and psychology major. Followed by some more work at Oklahoma University. In the late 70’s I moved to Dallas and began a fifteen-year career as a commercial fashion model that began with a cover and editorial spread for Town & Country magazine. I worked for clients in Texas, New York, Europe, Asia, Mexico, and South America. Living abroad was an education. I transitioned from modeling to onset styling and make-up as well as painting large scale canvas backdrops for clients like Neiman Marcus. Later I transitioned to becoming a photographer working on portraits and developing models. In the last eight years, I have developed more of my photographic art and painting.

Kim Robbins featured in Voyage Dallas

In 1981 I married my high school sweetheart, Peter Robbins. Together and separately we have pursued the different facets of our careers. We have been blessed by two wonderful sons who are also pursuing their own creative paths. My husband is also a commercial photographer and artist. We relocated to Fort Worth from Dallas eight years ago because he began to focus his art around the west and all things pertaining to Ranch life.

My work has been featured in galleries in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado. I like to participate in events that support non-profit organizations. Over the last two years, I have had the opportunity to be one of the featured artists at The Pottery Barn and West Elm stores in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Southlake. This has been a great fit as I love to show art in the context of interior design. My grandfather and mother were and are amazing interior designers and artists.

Q: We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?

A: One of the challenges has been when my husband switched his focus from commercial/fashion photography to fine art. Our children moved away to college and jobs. Then we moved so Peter could be closer to the ranch environments. Commercial photography work and the profession of artists are very different as far as how they are structured. Both have been freelancing occupations for us. Then I joined Peter in my own development of my artistic career. Two artists in one household. It has been an adventure! Today we multi-task between commercial work and the work of being studio artists. Most of our work has been gathered out in the field traveling and then producing in our Home/Studio. Between work and family, we have covered a lot of territories. Working together a lot in our studio we have had unique opportunities to stretch ourselves to maintain our work ethic and also to keep our personal relationship flourishing. We started as best friends in high school. Dated ten years. Today we are in our 37th year of marriage. I print all of my own work but Peter builds all of our frames for stretching for both of us. I help with a lot of organization and art direction for shoots and various projects. Our faith has been a big part of helping us keep a positive perspective. Having a sense of humor helps too. He makes me laugh.

Q: So, as you know, we’re impressed with Kim Robbins Art & Photography – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.

A: I am a photographic artist and painter. I also work on joint projects with my husband doing different types of portraits and commercial projects for individuals and businesses. On photoshoots with people, I do wardrobe and styling consulting, scout locations and help facilitate the shoot with onset styling and art direction. I also edit and develop images, and I am a retouch artist. Because I was a model people look to me for movement in front of the camera direction. I love being creative and trying new things whether I am working with people or making my art.

Regarding my art projects, people say that my sense of color is one of the things that stands out. My work covers a range of styles between photography, mixed media, acrylic painting, and digital painting. I like the diversity of projects. I like working as a featured artist in the West Elm and Pottery Barn stores helping people think about designing their environments. Making art can often be a solo job so finding ways to be in the public and interact with people is good. My ‘eye’ for beauty, design, color, and composition is one of the things that sets me apart. Also, an ability to bring ‘ideas’ to a shoot or art piece. I enjoy helping people to have a creative experience whether through having their picture taken or deciding on art for their home or business.

One of the messages that I would hope to convey through my art is one of affirming life through images…beautiful, graceful, imaginative, and full of possibility.

Q: So, what’s next? Any big plans?

With regard to work am looking forward to continuing growing and developing my art. Adding to my subject matter. Developing areas of work. I have an ocean page on my website. I would love to work on that more. Also developing a larger body of Abstract paintings and possibly doing a show. I would like to make a book with images and poetry or inspirational writings. I spend a fair amount of time marketing. Keeping my media well organized which includes having a great website is also a priority. On a personal note, my other priority is to spend as much time as I can with family and friends. Hopefully traveling and getting out into nature more. Making a positive impact in our world through all that I am able to do or inspire means a lot to me.

Published March 28, 2018 | View Source

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