Today we’d like to introduce you to Riley Robinson.
Hi Riley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My earliest memories consist of creating. Making art has always been an essential part of my identity and I was fortunate to be raised by people who recognized and supported my interests. My aunt had a paintbrush in my hand before I could walk, and my grandmother would regularly take me to museums and enroll me in art classes at the community center. I was obsessed with nature and the idea of how things are perceived. The interaction of color and light was a big inspiration for me, and it still is. Of course, at the time, I wasn’t really thinking much about pursuing art as a career; I was just enjoying the process and expressing myself in the ways I knew how.
It wasn’t until my mom passed around the time that I was 14 that I fully focused on my practice. I wasn’t coping well, and my work was the most consistent factor in my life, the most effective way for me to process my experiences. Shortly after, I started high school, where I met my two art teachers at the time, who I largely credit for their role in my journey. I took AP classes in painting and photography and began learning as much as possible about what it meant to practice art professionally, sold my work, and entered exhibitions. Any avenue that led to art was something I wanted part in, and I knew pursuing a creative career was the only thing that made sense to me. I was able to get some scholarships, which pushed me into art school, where my work really transformed through exposure to new resources and peers. Now, I’ll soon be graduating with a BFA in painting and a business minor.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Making art is never smooth; I think any artist would tell you that, but anything that’s worthwhile often isn’t easy. For one, I felt the need to prove myself and my talents for a while, partly to others, mostly to myself. From the beginning, art was my way of better understanding myself and things around me, and there was a solid period where I continuously ran from myself because it seemed easier than sitting with myself and the things I’ve been through. It definitely was easier, but it wasn’t productive.
A large aspect of my work now revolves around things I’ve struggled with and personal memories, specifically the distortion of memory over time in relation to the mind manipulating or blocking past experiences. So, I guess, at times, my process feels like walking myself through therapy. But it isn’t all struggle; I’m extremely privileged to be an artist and have the opportunities I do, as well as the network of support I’ve gained along the way. Through all of it, I’ve learned how to be my own best friend and biggest critic.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a multi-media artist, and my work is a record of my exploration of memory, perception, and the natural world. I create mixed medium pieces that are process-driven and have a large focus on combining film and photography within painting through the use of traditional printing processes and layers of translucent paint. I’m known to use saturated pallets, which have always been present in my work. I spend a lot of time thinking about colors and their interplay, how colors interact with light and texture when viewed on a surface. I constantly feel the need to explore and experiment in my work, I never know what a piece will look like until it’s done, almost like developing a roll of film.
I think all of these things, my processes, inspirations, and motivations, are what sets me apart from others. I had a unique upbringing and a unique life so far, which translates into what I’m creating. I’m proud of myself and how far I’ve come for continuing in the hope of bettering myself and my work despite the times I wanted to give up.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
It’s tough to single it down. I’ve recently been thinking about the times I would visit my family’s farm and build forts in the woods with my dad. We would spend ages hauling branches and making structures the size of a house. I’m very fond of those moments.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artbyriles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artist.riles/
