I Do Art Discussion No. 7 – “It’s all about the hats!”

Posted on June 29, 2014 by idoartkarenrobinson

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The following abstract paintings were part of a series I had painted after attending Australia’s famous racing season at Flemington Racecourse 2008. I had the opportunity to attend both Derby Day and the Melbourne Cup; both famous horse racing days! I was inspired to take a range of photos on both these days, which I used as a source of inspiration for the four abstract paintings below. Whilst these horse racing days are very much about the horses and the horse races, it is also about the amazing fashion statements made by both men and women, especially lady’s hats! Hence came my desire to do this series of abstract painting portraits as seen below.

Painting No. 32 – Title “On the Rails & Youthfulness” by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson – 2009 All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 33 - Title "On the Rails with my sister entertaining friends" by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson - 2009 All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 33 – Title “On the Rails with my sister entertaining friends” Jan/Feb 2009 – by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 35 - Title "On the Rails & The Business End of Celebrating Melbourne's Racing Festival Season" by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson - 2009 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 – by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting No. 34 – Title “Melbourne Cup and Australia’s National Celebration of Horse Racing” Jan/Feb 2009 – Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

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I Do Art Discussion No. 4 – “Race-goer in Red Hat at Derby Day!”

Posted on June 15, 2014 by idoartkarenrobinson

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A good part of my art therapy journey has involved taking photos, which are part of my visual diary process that I use for inspiration, to create my abstract paintings and abstract digital photo paintings. During a of Melbourne – Australia’s famous racing season, I had the good fortune to be able to attend my sister’s Derby Day marquee function at Flemington Race Course 2008. Victoria Derby is a thoroughbred race and is the oldest classic race in Australia, it ran first in 1855 (Derby Day. 2014). Melbourne, once again, turned on a beautiful day with a clear blue sky! During this day, I took many photos of interesting people, in great outfits.

The photo below was taken of a site, in a section called “The Rails” that is located right next to Flemington’s race track and is adjacent the finishing line. If you are lucky enough to be here, you can see the horses close up and their jockeys in colourful silks.

'Derby Day' at Flemington Racecour 2008 - Melbourne, Australia Photo taken by Karen Robinson - Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws!

‘Derby Day’ at Flemington Racecourse 2008 – Melbourne, Australia Photo taken by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright laws!

This photo below features a young lady who was on the site next to ours and she was wearing this fabulous red hat with a bright yellow flower and a delightful personality.

A young race-goer in a fabulous red hat with a yellow flower at ‘Derby Day’ Flemington Racecourse 2008 Melbourne, Australia. Photo taken by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist NB All images

This photo below was a photo of her vibrantly coloured tartan silk skirt. I loved the texture and style! Her whole outfit was bright and cheery and really reflected the celebratory feeling of the day.

A Digitally enhanced close up of the tartan skirt worn by the young racegoer at ‘Derby Day’ 2008. Photo taken by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist NB All images are protected by copyright

Below is the portrait abstract painting I did from the photo inspirations of that day. It is one of four that I painted for the 2008 Melbourne Racing Carnival. They consisted of this Painting No. 32 featured below and Paintings Nos. 33, 34 & 35 – please click here to view!

Painting No. 32 – Title “On the Rails & Youthfulness” Jan/Feb 2009
– by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson All images are protected by copyright laws!

Painting 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 whom was on the site next to ours. She was in this fabulous outfit with a tartan skirt and 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!

Abstract Digital Photo Painting No. 1B - "Derby Day - Tartan Skirt" 2008 by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

Abstract Digital Photo Painting No. 1A – “Derby Day – Tartan Skirt” 2008 by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

The above single digital photo painting is a digitally manipulated photo of the tartan skirt.

Collage Digital Photo Painting ‘Tartan Skirt’ by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist 2008. NB All images are protected by copyright laws!

The above collage digital photo paintings is a digitally manipulated photo of the tartan skirt.

Abstract Digital Photo Painting No. 1B – “Derby Day – Tartan Skirt” 2008 by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

The above single digital photo painting is another version of the digitally manipulated photo of the tartan skirt.

Collage Digital Photo Painting ‘Tartan Skirt’ by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist 2008. NB All images are protected by copyright laws!

The above collage digital photo paintings is another version of the digitally manipulated photo of the tartan skirt.

Whilst you are here – please check out my home page! My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson

Reference

Victoria Derby. (2014). Victoria Derby History. Retrieved June 6, 2014 from http://www.victoriaderby.com.au/history/

I Do Art Discussion No. 3 – “The Race that Stops a Nation”

Posted on June 8, 2014 by idoartkarenrobinson

While you are here – please check out my home page!

An important part of my art therapy process has been taking photos of people and places that I am most interested in. Looking through a camera lens and concentrating on framing up a story in the camera view finder, totally absorbs ones concentration. Spending the time reviewing them and deciding which will be a candidate for an abstract painting, also adds to the therapeutic process. I use photography as my visual diary for my abstract painting art work.

Melbourne Cup 2008 at Flemington Racecourse – Photo taken by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

On the first Tuesday November 2008, I said to my husband, let’s go to the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Races – as I wanted to take a series of photos of this iconic Australian event. A number of days before hand, we had attended Derby Day at Flemington Races where I had taken a series of photos. I wanted to also capture photo images of the Melbourne Cup Day as well. These photos were used as a source of inspiration for four abstract paintings (Nos. 32, 33, 34 & 35). I have always loved fashion and the Melbourne Cup and for these reasons, it is certainly a stand out on Melbourne’s social calendar for socialites, politicians, Australia’s rich and famous; and the everyday Australian punter! The very first Melbourne Cup ran in 1875; a century and a half later it is still considered ‘the race that stops a nation’. For me this significant event is all about the horses and the fashion and on this day I took many photos of fabulously dressed women in their racing finery.

Melbourne Cup 2008 at Flemington Racecourse Photo taken by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

NB: This link leads you to a “Silent Clip” of the Melbourne Cup 1896 and is worth a viewing! Australian Screen. (2014). Melbourne Cup 1986 – Silent Clip. YouTube. Retrieved June 3, 2014 from http://aso.gov.au/titles/historical/melbourne-cup-1896/clip3/

My husband joined me to keep me company on this particular day. It was a beautiful day and once again Melbourne had turned on a great Australian Event!

Melbourne Cup 2008 at Flemington Racecourse – Photo taken by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

I spotted a lady with a very 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! I loved her hat; the swath of material that had been manipulated into a work of art and topped with beautiful pink flowers, all in gorgeous pink – was very eye-catching,

Melbourne Cup 2008 – Helen Court – Lady in Fabulous Pink Hat Photo taken by Karen Robinson – Abstract Artist NB: All images are protected by copyright laws!

These photos I took served as an inspiration for me and I painted this portrait of Helen Court. This portrait was one of four abstract paintings (Nos. 32, 33, 34 & 35) I did of different race goers during the 2008 Melbourne Racing Season.

Painting No. 34 - Title "Melbourne Cup & Australia's National Celebration of Horse Racing" by Abstract Artist Karen Robinson - 2009 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
– by Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson All images are protected by copyright laws!

During the process of sorting my photos, I also like to take the opportunity to be more creative and change their appearance by digital manipulation. For me they then become an Abstract Digital Photo Painting. This process totally engages the thinking processes and is a great pathway into using ‘art for therapy’.

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