Painting No. 31 – Title “Don’t Tread On Me” June 2009
Acrylic on Canvas
120cms Length x 92cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Painting Story: President Barack Obama the 44th president of the United States assumed Office on January 20, 2009. The first African-American to do so! At his victory celebration, he said “change has come to America” and he also said, “he would not only be President to those who elected him but also be their President to whom did not!”. Obama’s victory celebration speech was truly inspirational and hence inspired this painting.
Part One of this painting has nine sections boarded off red sections. Plus 50 mixed colours of red, white, blue, gold and dark brown triangles representing the fifty US States (50 stars). I have used the shapes of triangles sitting side on the side to demonstrate the uniting of each state working together but still remaining separate. The use of gold was to introduce the gold fringing that can be found on the American flags at times. The colour dark brown is a representation of the African-American. The red, white, blue, gold and dark brown are a representation of many different nationalities and cultures, all under one country’s flag.
Part two of the painting of 13 red partial stripes representing the original thirteen colonies that rebelled against the British Crown. The stripes are in the colours of red, white, blue, gold and dark brown and once again represent its country’s diverse population.
Part three of the painting is the rattlesnake on the U.S. Navy Jack which is now displayed on all U.S. Navy ships during the War on Terrorism. The Navy Flag is named “Don’t tread on me”. The symbol of the rattlesnake and the name of the Navy Jack “Don’t tread on me” seemed like a very appropriate name for this painting. America has demonstrated and conveyed this statement in full overtime…
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 32 – Title “On the Rails & Youthfulness” Jan/Feb 2009
Acrylic on Canvas
60cms Length x 60cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Painting Story: Whilst attending my sister’s racing day function on Derby Day during Melbourne’s famous racing season. I helped her prepare the food and entertain her friends. During the day I took many photos of interesting people in great outfits. This was of a young lady called Joey who was on the site next to ours. She was in this fabulous outfit with a tartan skirt and a red hat with yellow flowers. I loved the combination of colours and the way she had put together her outfit. Joey was having a great time with her friends and enjoying being part of one of Melbourne’s greatest Sporting Events – “Derby Day”.
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 33 – Title “On the Rails with my sister entertaining friends” Jan/Feb 2009
Acrylic on Canvas
60cms Length x 60cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Painting Story: Whilst attending my sister’s racing day function on 2008 Derby Day during Melbourne’s famous racing season, I helped her prepare the food and entertain her friends. During the day I took many photos of interesting people in great outfits. One of the photos of my sister really inspired me to paint this abstract of her. It was a difficult day for her as she had just broken up with her partner of 8 years and was doing this alone instead of with him. I was there to support her on the day. In this particular photo, I could see the strain of the day on her face. Whilst I hesitated to paint this image, I felt it was a true representation of how she was feeling.  But also demonstrating that all around her was a day of racing celebration. A sad irony… It made me sad for her to see the pain in her face.
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 34 – Title “Melbourne Cup & Australia’s National Celebration of Horse Racing” Jan/Feb 2009
Acrylic on Canvas
60cms Length x 60cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Painting Story: After attending Derby Day, I was inspired to attend the 2008 Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse to take more photos. My husband joined me to keep me company. It was a beautiful day and once again Melbourne had turned on a great Australian Event! I spotted a lady with a very big, large pinkish hat. This lady had a degree of gaiety and elegance. To me, she seemed to epitomize the feeling of a Melbourne Cup Day. Later I was able to establish this grand lady was Helen Court!
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 35 – Title “On the Rails & The Business End of Celebrating Melbourne’s Racing Festival Season” Jan/Feb 2009
Acrylic on Canvas
60cms Length x 60cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Painting Story: I took a photo of a lady whilst attending Derby Day at Flemington Races 2008. We were located “On the Rails” enjoying one of Melbourne’s famous racing days. This lady’s striking hat and pose made for a good photo. On asking the lady her name, I found out she was the Melbourne Racing Club Marketing Manager. Her hat was a particular inspiration for me. It had been designed by one of Melbourne’s most famous hat designers – Peter Jago!
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 36 – Title “Poppy Spread” June 2009
Acrylic on Canvas
91cms Length x 91cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Painting Story: This painting was inspired by the need to have a painting above our bed. We were thinking of putting our home on the market to sell. I pulled in the square shapes from the cushions and the black poppy shapes from the ivory cushions. The metallic’s helped work in the furniture colours types. The deep crimson to work in with the tiling in the bathroom and other splashes of this colour in other parts of the house. It seemed a departure from my other painting inspirations and felt a little guilty that I really just did the painting to match our decor!!!
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 37 – Title “The Dining Room Table” Aug 2009
Acrylic on Canvas
307cms Length x 46cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Painting Story: This painting was inspired by our family get-togethers around our dining room table. Lashing of food and drink and a festive spirit. My Husband, Son (now deceased), Daughter, Myself along with Nana, Pa (now deceased), Aunties, Uncles (Uncle Greg deceased), Cousins, Friends and the family Dog ‘Jessie’ – all coming together to celebrate. Our children’s 16th, 18th, 21st birthdays and family dinners! The dining room table is the central point of these festivities and a good time had by all…
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 38 – Title “A Bird of Paradise” Sept 2009
Acrylic on Canvas
100cms Length x 115cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Painting Story: This painting was inspired by the bird of paradise planted out by my husband into pots on our back paving garden area. These pots of bird of paradise were from his father’s garden in Bayswater (Melbourne, Australia) and now growing happily in our garden. My husband’s father had passed away a year ago so it was a very symbolic gesture of my husband’s father’s life. During my husband’s recovery from Chemotherapy, he has spent small amounts of time in the garden planting which helped him feel better about life. This painting represents the beauty of my husband’s gentle inner soul. He has been a wonderful soul mate over our 28 years plus of marriage. Our garden is a place of peace and hope. A quiet place to potter and tender to mother earth! My husband has been my “Bird of Paradise” in my life…
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!