CAPTAIN
Rest in Peace

For those of you who know and love me know that I am a horse lover. I lost my Captain this weekend. He was a gentleman and a scholar. Always kind, happy to see me --- only time I was inadvertently "dismounted" was when one of those nasty huge horseflies landed in the middle of his back. He knew way more than I'll ever know. Trained beautifully by Lisa Wagner. He's been a part of my life for the last decade. First as a lesson horse, then I leased him and when Lisa decided to sell him I couldn't let him go.

He passed away on Friday after a sudden illness that we are still trying to figure out. In the meantime, I feel like someone kicked me in the chest. My heart is broken. I was so blessed to have hime a part of my life --- so incredibly lucky. I'm hoping that he's out there in horsey heaven with a new frisky body enjoying himself. He gave me so much joy and was the realization of a hugs dream for me.

Thanks big guy... I'll never forget you!

Buffalo

BUFFALO

30x40 Oil on Canvas

All rights reserved - Robin Wellner

It's been a long time since I've posted.  A tumultuous year of changes.  Spending as much time as I can working on my people paintings - tho this does not show that.  I decided to give myself this year to explore that.  Painting people was where I began and then went down a little different road with pet portraits.  I love painting period, so the pet portraits was not a detour.  More opportunity to paint.  I know I've said this before but it truly seems the more I learn, the more I need to learn!!

This Buffalo was done for a friend who's a massage therapist and the Buffalo is her totem.  Seems a symbol of tremendous power to me.  I undercoated the whole canvas with a metallic copper acrylic paint, then did a wash of the blue-green before I painted the buffalo.  It was one of those paintings that felt inspired.  LOVE it when that happens.

 www.petwhimsyportraits.com

www.robinwellnerportraits.com

Alan

Alan - 16x20 Oil on Canvas

All Rights Reserved- Robin Wellner

It's the New Year and I'm trying to challenge and expand myself as an artist.  Hoping to grow in my work with people - portraits and figures.  Realizing that I really need to work on my drawing skills - in addition to alot of other stuff!  It seems that the more I learn, the more I realize that I need to learn.  The mountain grows instead of getting smaller.

Enjoying having my daughter home for a little bit before she goes back to Colorado. Wish she lived closer but happy for her to do what she needs to do in her own growth.  All the best!

Happy New Year!

"Tater"

12x16 - Oil on Canvas

All Rights Reserved - Robin Wellner 2013

Sometimes paintings just come together easily and sometimes I struggle.  This was one that flowed - I think in part because he's such a cutie and it's a great photo!  

It's the new year and I'm exhausted from the last month.  Lost my Aunt Robin who I am named after and have been struggling to get back on track with some direction.  She was an incredible woman and I was blessed to have her a close part of my life the last five years.  I miss her.

I am very excited about working with my Portrait Society mentor Natalie Italiano.  She's already taught me tons with one phone call and presented me with some challenges that I hope I can meet.   The more I learn about portrait painting (people) the more I realize I don't know.  

Here's to lots of learning in 2013!

Brushstrokes

Nali

12x16- Oil on canvas

(C) Robin Wellner 2012

I know I have posted this on Facebook, but it is one of my favorites of late.  It has some of the looser brush style that I am aspiring to incorporate all the time.  Sometimes it seems to just happen -- love that when it does.  I'm hoping to achieve that as well in my people portraits.  I am honored and excited to be a protege for one of the Portrait Society of America's mentor this year.  That means I'll have a mentor help guide me in my portrait painting this year.  Can't wait!!!

Tim

Tim Lemmond- 24x30 oil on linen

This was a labor of love.  This portrait is of a dear friend who passed away about a year and a half ago.  He was an amazing man and incredible musician.  My husband and Tim played music together. It's a portrait I've been wanting to do for a while.  The perfect opportunity was his Legacy Concert and CD release event.  Tim was a counselor who worked with foster children.  Part of his legacy is a scholarship for foster children who would like to pursue music.  The fund provides funds for music lessons for those children.

www.csarts.org/support-csa

This is the link for contributions.

Anyway -- It was definitely the most emotional portrait I've ever worked on.  I told his wife I often felt like Tim was there cheering me on.  Thanks Tim!  Love ya!  Rock on!!

http://www.petwhimsyportraits.com

http://robinwellnerportraits.com