Heather Robinson’s Geometric Whimsical Art

Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in art?

My education background is in architecture (and I think that background really continues to inform my art). As part of our architectural program we had basic drawing and art courses, which were my favorite classes. I never practiced as an architect – after graduation I moved to web design and then graphic design. But I continued to keep creating art, primarily working in collage.

When I lost a couple of design jobs in a row during a recession, I decided to take the art more seriously. I started working on a body of work in mixed media, and never looked back.

What drew you to the style of art you are creating and how would you define it in your own words?

I’ve always loved pattern and decoration, and I’ve been inspired by textile design as long as I can remember. It’s something I’ve incorporated into my art from the beginning. I define my work as abstract geometric. For me, it’s about interweaving those patterns with unplanned marks, interplaying between order and spontaneity.

Can you describe your creative process? How do you approach a new project from concept to completion?

When I start a painting, I have very little idea of how it’s going to look at the end. I definitely work intuitively – every layer inspires the next one.

Most of my pieces start with a piece of patterned fabric, which I glue to the support panel with acrylic medium. The fabric pattern provides a good jumping-off point for me, but at some point it will mostly disappear behind the paint, and most people will never realize it was there. The first few layers are pretty stochastic – I put down color and I stencil a raised pattern across the surface of the painting. I think of these first layers as setting up a problem or puzzle for myself, which I then solve by the end of the process.

Who or what are your biggest influences in art and/or design?

I was very inspired by Gustav Klimt in my earlier work – the elaborate patterns and the sensual bodies. I’ve moved away from the human body in my current work, but the love of pattern remains. Apart from that I’ve been heavily influenced by the Pattern and Decoration movement of the 70s and 80s.

Sandra Yagi: Finding Life in the Symbolism of Death

What materials and techniques do you prefer to use, and why?

I work in acrylic – I love the layering possibilities because it dries relatively quickly, and I love that there are so many mediums to play with and affects to achieve with them.

Because I add so many layers (some pretty heavy) and really work the paint into the surface, I prefer panel to canvas. I started covering all my panels with fabric because it makes the painting edges and corners more durable, but now I do it because I like having the patterned fabric as a base.

For the raised repeating pattern that you'll find in my paintings, I design stencils on a computer and cut them with a machine. I put thick acrylic medium through them to create the raised surface. This gives me the desired combination of regularity/evenness with a slightly imperfect, handmade look.

Can you share any upcoming projects or exhibitions you’re excited about?

I’m always excited about participating in Open Studios in San Francisco – It’s a city-wide event that happens over 4 weekends. Each weekend, artists in one part of the city open their studios to the public. This year is the 50th anniversary of Open Studios, organized by ArtSpan. My studio is within Arc Gallery and our weekend is #3, Oct 5-6. I enjoy showing what I’ve been doing all year, and getting so many visitors, new and repeating.

What do you hope people take away from experiencing your art?

I hope that people experience optimism. I paint to evoke positive emotions, even if I’m not always feeling them myself. Painting almost always makes me feel hopeful, and I want that to be something the viewer experiences as well.