Sandy Robinson is no stranger to the Jasper art scene. At the age of 86, the painter said
he鈥檚 been involved with some form of art ever since he was a little kid.
鈥淚鈥檝e been painting since I was in Grade 4. Every textbook I ever owned had doodles and old English villages that would just melt into all the stuff that I never studied,鈥� Robinson said from a comfy chair at his home. 鈥淔or me it鈥檚 very fun and relaxing to paint.鈥�
Robinson has always drawn inspiration from Jasper鈥檚 stunning landscapes and natural beauty, and聽while he feels completely at ease with a brush in hand and a pallet of paint nearby, he said the hardest part these days is coming up with things to paint.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just difficult deciding what to paint because I鈥檝e painted Pyramid and Cavell mountains hundreds of times because that鈥檚 what sells and that鈥檚 what people ask for,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淏ut I start by drawing a few lines and the rest just happens with some strokes of the brush.鈥�
Thousands of strokes later, Robinson is ready to reveal his latest collection which will be on display at the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives from June 1 to July 5.
The watercolour art exhibit will showcase some of Jasper鈥檚 favorite awe-inspiring scenery like Pyramid, Roche Bonhomme and Edith Cavell mountains. Other pieces include life-like images of vibrant flowers and local wildlife.
Robinson started taking painting seriously decades ago after attending a workshop with Utah-based watercolour artist Harold Olsen.
鈥淗arold has always been my inspiration. I just love his work,鈥� he said, pointing to one of Olsen鈥檚 paintings hanging in his living room.
Motivated by the rich colour and attention to detail in Olsen鈥檚 work, Robinson started experimenting.
Over the years Robinson has honed his craft, taking classes with several notable artists, including Brian Atyeo, Timothy J. Clark and Tom Lynch. He even took a week-long workshop at MacEwan University in Edmonton, a place he would later teach beginner watercolour classes.
He estimates he鈥檚 crafted hundreds of paintings and displayed them all over the place from right here in Jasper to all the way across the Atlantic Ocean in Europe.
The public can meet Robinson for coffee and donuts on June 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. A wine and cheese closing reception will be held at the museum on July 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
鈥淓very artist always wants their show to go well,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淚鈥檓 no different.鈥�
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
