artist spotlight: robin damore
For portrait artist Robin Damore, a painting isn’t complete until two things occur: she has adequately captured the spirit of the person or animal she has painting and she has overcome whatever challenge or lesson that painting has presented her. This criterion has led to an impeccable body of work and numerous awards (though Robin would never mention those). And the most surprising thing is, she didn’t start painting until her mid 40s––though you’d guess she’s been painting for a lifetime. “I used to be an owner of an ad agency with 150 employees and three partners,” she said. “I’d probably still be sitting in meetings –– richer –– but a lot less in love with my life and less fulfilled by my life’s work.” Robin dedicated nearly two decades to growing that agency, but when the opportunity presented itself to sell her stake, she knew it was time to embrace risk and pursue her interest in photography, drawing and oil painting. “I took my first painting class when I was 45,” she said. “It was just a one-week class and at the end of it, the teacher called me and said, ‘I can't believe you've never painted. You should come and study with me in New York.’ So I rented a little apartment in SoHo and painted with him. He told me I could start to sell commissioned work but it took me a long time to tell anyone that I was an artist. I thought art was for talented people, but not for me.” Going boldly where she’d never gone before The demand for her work and the accolades Robin has received have proven that art was in fact for her. She’s been a finalist in the Art Renewal Center’s annual portrait competition nearly half a dozen times, and most recently was awarded Signature Status by the Portrait Society of America, which is only given to artists who consistently demonstrate a high level of skill and sophistication of aesthetics. Though many of her works have been recognized, two in particular have
from Star Trek, at the age of 84. Titled "Live Long and Prosper,” the piece was completed in 2017 and has since been shown throughout the country, gaining tremendous fanfare. It was recently recognized in Southwest Art magazine’s Artistic Excellence competition and she got a call on Valentine's Day that Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery is adding it to their collection. "For me, a painting is not done until I'm and Roland––the subjects of this portrait––and it was clear from the start that Maxine ran the show and that was just fine with Roland,” Robin said. “There was such great energy and dignity in this pair.” The other features Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura gained national and international attention. The first, titled “It’s All About Maxine" (featured on the front cover of this issue), was named a finalist in the Art Renewal Center’s 16th Salon. The portrait is of Maxine and her husband Roland, and almost effortlessly captures the energy between the couple. “I fell in love with Maxine
"Live Long and Prosper" by Robin Damore
spiritually connected to it."
"It's All About Maxine" by Robin Damore
Issue 3 | Winter 2023
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