Sitting on the beach with my friend, Artist, Robin Caspari, we began a discussion on creating art. She creates beautiful paintings and I create dances. She uses paint and I use the human body. We talked over the process and how sometimes the visions of what you are trying to create magically appear in your head and other times, you work on something and what is created is totally different than what you imagined, as if it had it's own life and you are just along for the ride.
I was inspired and asked her to come and watch some classes at VDS. I knew that she would see the energy and movement that I see and I was excited to see how that would transform onto the canvas. I wanted her to capture the essence of what happens in a dance class, the innocence of young artists and the beauty of dancers learning to move their bodies and create lines and shapes through space.
Lucky for me, she agreed and she created some beautiful work from her visits. She videotaped and took pictures of the dancers in various classes and ages ranging from 3-18. She then studied the movement and watched the light and shapes in space and she re-created her images onto 13 original oil paintings. The pictures are unique in that they really reflect the movement and energy of dance. We decided to share our experience with our students and families in a unique gathering of art and dance.
On April 30, 2016, we invite you to come and join us for a night of Art and Dance. We will have a small performance from the Village Performing Company and the 13 paintings will be open for auction. We will have light refreshments and drinks and donations for our event are open for any amount. VDS will raffle a $500 gift certificate and a portion of all of the art sales and any commissioned pieces that are purchased at this event will benefit The Child Life program of Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. The evening will start at 5pm and the bidding will close at 7pm.
Robin Caspari is driven to paint no matter what life circumstances surround her. She is true to this inner voice. Her goals and aspirations have remained the same over time: strive to create beautiful paintings in an unrestrained and expressive style.
“I begin a piece by looking at or thinking about my subject, and recognizing what inspires me about it. I try to keep that in mind throughout the process, while letting my instinct rule how the painting is expressed. There are times when I am extremely traditional in the application of paint, and other times I may throw or sling my paint from across the studio." Robins splits her time between painting en plein air and painting self-expressionistic abstract work in the studio. She sees her paintbrush as an extension of her soul, and her medium of choice is oil paint. When painting outdoors, she retains a simple palette; her abstract work call for a blending of mediums, such as metallic or luminescent paint, oils sticks, or charcoal.
Throughout the years, her work has been active in exhibitions, galleries, publications and charitable causes.
Here is her website where you can see more and learn more. Village Dance Studios is in the Village Shopping Center and has classes for all ages.
