Robin Chilstrom - Musings and News-Robin Chilstrom

Robin Chilstrom

A Procreate Dinosaureal experiment

3/19/2020

My brother David and I were fiddling around in Procreate a couple of weeks ago and the process movie above is the result of that fiddling. David started the drawing by adding the broad wine-red brush strokes. I saw an image in that field of color and began to follow it along to its eventual completion. This little imaginary dinosaur might be the inspiration for a story about a meat-o-saurus who preferred eating plants, especially in their sweet flowering stage.

That's the magic in the immediacy of working in such a free-form way. I had no idea what we would come up with until I saw a shape in the color field and followed it along as it morphed and emerged. Working digitally, having the option to copy an image and save the original layer, then keep experimenting with the new layer means I have the freedom to try things in a non-destructive way that would be impossible with traditional media. How many times have you worked a drawing or a painting just a tick too far - or, much too far?

And, like the Dino above, I begin to wonder and imagine this little guy's story. Certainly a character I wouldn't have consciously drawn, I seem to be pulled into the river of creative thought-tinkering about his life, his tribe, and why he's eating flowers instead of chasing down prey. A nascent story originating in the stroke of a brush.

I love the flexibility and opportunity to edit and save multiple versions of digital drawings and paintings, though working with traditional media is a much more tactile experience. And, of course, there's a physical 'product' at the end of the process. So, it's not a replacement for making art with traditional media but it is valuable for illustrators and graphic artists. I can try out an idea or play in an instant - without setting up the studio - just open my iPad. Bardot Brush has some fabulous textured papers that help add depth to Procreate drawings. I've attached a few recent examples of my 'learning curve' journeys into Digital Drawing with Procreate.

In the tree...

Fairy Fish

Dragon symmetry

Herbie the Dino Pup

pastel symmetry

Your Song Language

6/21/2019

I translated this post into a little movie...
with a noisy guest appearance at the end:
can you guess what it is? Hope you Enjoy!

Folks often ask me - "How can I create my own melodies?"
My answer is this: "Listen, Sing, Feel, Play."
As we practice, we're exploring an inner landscape
where musical tides rise and fall, always in motion.

Spirits of the Earth & Earth Stewards Exhibit - LAST DAY!

5/20/2019

Tuesday, May 21st - from 4-8pm, is the last day to view this beautiful exhibit.
The exhibit is at Cerimon House and features images of Nature Spirits of the Pacific Northwest by multi-disciplinary artist, David Vala. The exhibit also features ten Northwest Environmental Organizations who gift us with their work in environmental restoration, community action and climate change mitigation. Please join us Tuesday, May 21st to view this exhibit!

Cerimon House - 5131 NE 23rd Ave, Portland, OR

Peony Kaleidoscope

5/20/2019

As I was curating a recent exhibit at Cerimon House, the artist, David Vala, shared a Mac app he has just discovered called Scopeworks. Using it, I created this little movie from photos of a cluster of peonies and ranunculus in a bouquet created by Portland floral artist Hilary Horvath.

Beltaine Earth Songs!

4/20/2019

Join us for a gathering of voices to celebrate the Earth!

Spring Voiceweaving Workshops!

2/11/2019

Monday Drop-in Sessions happening this Spring, March - May. Find out more HERE or, if you like, download the flier HERE.

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Chilstrom 'Home Place' Exhibit extended at Cerimon House...

12/11/2018

The exhibit of historic Portland paintings by Betty Chilstrom had a rousing
and enthusiastic run and, by popular demand, a smaller collection of her
work will be exhibited through May, 2019.
Visit Cerimon House, see the exhibit and take home a print, cards,
or the book about Betty's life, which features over 200 images.

Open Tuesdays: 4:30 - 8:30pm
AT:
CERIMON HOUSE
5131 NE 23rd Avenue
In the heart of the Alberta Arts District
Sponsored by RACC & Cerimon House

When we called ourselves Cultural Workers...a moment in time.

12/10/2018

In December, 2018 I came upon this archival film posted by the Oregon Historical Society in 2017. Portland's own Elaine Velazquez made this short film commissioned by the National Organization for Women in the mid-1970's. It captures a moment in 'Portland time' when my friends and I were finding and defining our paths as artists and activists. Elaine and her partner Barbara Bernstein have gone on to create many powerful works of socially relevant art, and each of the women featured in this film has continued, in her own way, to contribute as artist/activist through the years. It's important to encourage each other, and those subtle to brilliant shades of storytelling that reveal our humanness and remind us that stories are interwoven in the DNA of our beings. Stories can be false, misleading, destructive and separate us by fearful, angry means, and stories can intrigue, delight, unite, inform and inspire us to act for the common good. The latter are the kind of stories I want learn to from, create, and share. How about you?

Portland Home Place - A Community Conversation

11/29/2018

December 9th, 3-4:30 pm
CERIMON HOUSE: 5131 NE 23rd Ave.

You're invited to a Community Conversation about our changing city and Portland's future. I hope you can join us...it promises to be a lively and informative event. Before or after the show you can drop into the Gallery and see the current exhibit: paintings of historic Portland by Betty Chilstrom.

The event is free, we'll have snacks, and raffle off prints of Betty Chilstrom's
historic Portland paintings to benefit the Community Transitional School.

(Sponsored by the Regional Arts & Culture Council, Cerimon House, and Earth Arts NW)

'Betty Chilstrom Art Show and Book Launch: "Through Her Eyes"

10/10/2018

Are you interested in seeing a painterly archive of Portland's Architectural Heritage? Have concerns about neighborhood livability and Housing Equity?
Join us for these events and share your thoughts! We'd love to see you there.
Learn more about Betty here.
#RegionalArts

Click to download flyer

Click to download card

Exhibit & Book Launch:
Friday, November 16th, 2018
7-9:00 pm; Presentation at 7:30
We hope you can join us at the opening of an Exhibit of over sixty of
Betty Chilstrom's historic paintings of 20th century Portland, as well as the
Book Launch of "Through Her Eyes," an image-rich story about Betty's life & art,
told by her daughter, Robin. A FREE Event

PS: The exhibit runs through Dec. 16th: contact Cerimon House for hours.
PPS: If you can't make it but want the book, you can get it Here.

Community Conversation:
Sunday, December 9th, 2018, 3-4:30pm
Panel Q&A and Audience Dialogue

At Home in Portland: Our Changing City
Neighborhood Livability and Housing Equity in 21st century
After brief presentations from our panel, audience members will join in a
conversation about ongoing preservation efforts, urban planning,
neighborhood livability, and housing equity issues. A FREE Event

These Events are Sponsored by:

All Events take place at:
Cerimon House
5131 NE 23rd Avenue
Portland, OR, 97218