Project Description
Robin Swennes
I am a self-taught Maine artist, focusing on painting with acrylics and sometimes Venetian Plaster—usually on wooden panels but occasionally on canvas. My style includes more than one ‘look’ of painting , as well as a range of subject matters, so I categorize works into collections. Some works are Impressionistic, with touches of loose, dappled or distressed effects. Other works have a stark, black background and more precise human forms. I tend towards close-up or simple compositions because I prefer not to get bogged down in the minutia of a complicated scene. In every case, I prefer the look of paintings and brushstrokes over Super Realism because I find that to be more relaxing and intriguing to the eye.
Lately, my brain enjoys the interpretation possibilities when viewing abstract works, so I hope to create collections that veer in that direction. Color is what drives my interest and mood; I’ll notice the colors of any piece before I’ll realize what the subject is. If I don’t like the colors, I usually won’t go any further examining it. Color, shape and texture generate within me a natural response akin to a ‘tickle on the brain’ that I live to repeat. As an artist, I hope there are viewers out there who
experience that same mystifying pull when seeing my work.
I believe that true artists are born with innate ability that can be expanded through practicing their craft—whatever the chosen media. I apply my creative energies towards painting, graphic arts and other design avenues as they arise. I recently designed a house (for myself and my husband), as well as some of the furniture and cabinetry within. Just as in any profession, an artist must be allowed to grow and try new avenues. I am averse to being boxed into one particular thing. Artists are most engaged when creating the art of their choice, so you’ll get the best results when you let them produce their vision, in their style. All the more reason to cherish and buy the piece that moves you when you see it, because you may not get another chance when your artist makes his/her move to that next style of work.
Available Work
Robin Swennes ‘Get Your Maine On’ Acrylic on Wood 30″x30″ $4100
Robin Swennes DNA Blue’ Acrylic on Wood 30″x30″ $4100
Robin Swennes ‘The World According to Blue’ Acrylic on Wood 12″x24″ $825
Robin Swennes ‘Blue Brigade’ Acrylic on Wood 30″x30″ $4280
Robin Swennes ‘Red, in the Crantextual Sense’ Acrylic on Wood 16″x16″ $825
Past Work
Robin Swennes ‘Forecast Blue’ Acrylic on Wood 30″x30″ SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Ready to Roll’ Acrylic on Wood 12″x24″ SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Forever in Blue Genes’ Acrylic on Panel 12”x24” SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Kodachrome Blues’ Acrylic on Wood Panel 30″x30″ SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘High Plains Drifters’ Acrylic on Wood Panel 30″x30″ SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘The Gang’s All Here’ Acrylic on Panel 16″x20″ SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Live from the 207’ Acrylic on Wood Panel 30”x30” SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Get ‘Em While They Last’ Acrylic on Wood Panel 18”x18” SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Old Blue Eyes’ Acrylic on Panel 16″x20″ SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Blues Brothers’ Acrylic on Panel 30″x30″ SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘The Blue Period’ Acrylic on Panel 12″X20″ SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Every Which Way But Loose’ Acrylic on Panel SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Sacre Bleu’ Acrylic on Panel 12”x24” SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Blue Bloods’ Acrylic on Panel 16”x16” SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Cordon Bleu’ Acrylic on Panel 30”x30” SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘When the Blues Come Callin’ Acrylic on Panel 14”x14” SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Well Rounded Citizens’ Acrylic on Panel 20”x20” SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Acrylic on Panel 16”x20” SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Beyond Blue’ Acrylic on Panel 16”x16” SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Red, Hot, & Blue’ Acrylic on Panel 48w x 24h x 1.625” d SOLD
Robin Swennes ‘Blue and Far Between’ Acrylic on Panel 48”x24” SOLD
C.V.
Awards, Accomplishments
• Two of my images chosen for the 2021 Maine Agricultural Mediation Calendar.
• 3 of my boat and buoy images will be used in newspaper and digital ads for Couleur Collection in April/May 2022.
My large blueberry painting featured in a TV ad for Couleur Collection in March/April 2019.
• Paintings featured on Cover of the Tourist & Town and the formerly named, same paper,
The Tourist News (2021 Nov, 2020 Aug, 2019 June, 2018 Nov, 2014 July, 2011 May)
• 1 of 75 artists featured (as Artists to watch) in Annual Art Guide Magazine in December 2018.
• 2016-2017 Designed a house, kitchen island, bathroom vanity, & wall treatments for the house in which I now live.
• Paintings featured in Maine Home & Design Magazine in 2014, 2015, 2018.
• 2014 Designed an original wood cabinet for our home out of a repurposed piano
• My artwork featured on Cover on Kennebunk Post November 2013
• Designed custom concrete ramp sink in 2007 for a tile design client’s guest bathroom
• Tile designs featured in the 2007 Rivertree Arts Kitchen Tour published in
Better Homes & Gardens Kitchen and Bath Ideas August 2010 issue.
• Designed custom stained-glass window & 2 custom-built cabinets for a client’s master bathroom 2007
• Artwork used in Tom’s of Maine display in set background of a 1995-aired TV episode of Seinfeld
• Illustrated two educational language books for Heinle & Heinle Publishers in 1994.
• Awarded a Broderson Silver for illustration work on the Tom’s of Maine ‘Earth Day’ postcard in 1993.
• Commissioned to paint a pair of Converse sneakers for Tom Chappell of Tom’s of Maine 1993.
Robin Swennes
177 Curtis Rd • Arundel, ME 04043 | (207) 251-7900 | email: rswennes@roadrunner.com | www.RobinSwennes.com
• Upcoming/Current/Ongoing/Past Events/Exhibits •
2022 (June) MAINE ART HILL, KENNEBUNK, ME: Solo pop up show for 1 week.
2022 (June) GIBSON SOTHEBYS REALTY, ORLEANS, MA: Solo, in house show for 1 month.
2021 (Nov) MAINE ART HILL, KENNEBUNK, ME: Shared pop up show of ceramics and painting.
2021 (Oct-Nov) BOOTHBAY HARBOR REGIONAL ART FOUNDATION, BOOTHBAY HARBOR, ME: Juried, multi-artist show
2021 (Oct-Nov) NH ART FOUNDATION, PORTSMOUTH, NH: Juried, multi-artist show; theme was ‘Portals’.
2021 (Sept) SPURLING INFINITY CENTER, KENNEBUNK, ME: Solo show of farm animal paintings.
2021 (July) MAINE GENERAL HEALTH, AUGUSTA, ME: Two of my paintings selected to hang permanently in the hospital.
2021 (July-Aug) COULEUR COLLECTION, FALMOUTH, ME: Shared multi-artist show.
2021 (June-Oct) ARUNDEL FARM GALLERY, ARUNDEL, ME: Group show.
2021 (June 3-16) MAINE ART HILL, KENNEBUNK, ME: Shared pop up show of ceramics and painting.
2021 (April-May) ELIZABETH MOSS GALLERIES, FALMOUTH, ME: Juried group show , benefitting Partners for World Health
2019-2021 BELGRADE LAKES CO, BELGRADE LAKES, ME: Showing work in this small, seasonal boutique.
2020-2021 (1-yr contract) ADC FINE ART, CINCINNATI, OH: Rotating group artist shows.
2020 (Sept 21–Nov 2) DAMARISCOTTA RIVER GRILL, DAMARISCOTTA, ME: Group artist show
2020 (Mar 5) MAINE PRESERVATION, PORTLAND, ME: Gala with artists donating portions of sales to the organization
2019 (Aug-Sept) COULEUR COLLECTION, FALMOUTH, ME: Group artist show
2019 (Sept-Dec) HELEN THOMAS SIMPLY SMASHING, ANDOVER, MA: Group artist show
2019 (Aug 6-12) MAINE ART HILL, POP UP GALLERY, KENNEBUNK, ME: Solo show for 1 week
2019 (Aug 10&11) RIVER CLUB GALLERY, KENNEBUNKPORT, ME: Group show; by invite only
2019 (July) CASCO BAY ARTISANS, PORTLAND, ME: Multi-artist show, “Majesty of Maine”
2019 (July 5–8) ARTBLEND GALLERY, BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY: Multi-artist show
2019 (May–June) ARTBLEND GALLERY, FT LAUDERDALE, FLA: Multi-artist show
2019 (Apr) CASCO BAY ARTISANS, PORTLAND, ME: Multi-artist show for Interior Designers
2019 (Feb/Mar) COULEUR COLLECTION, FALMOUTH, ME: paintings featured in TV ad during TODAY show
2019 (Feb/Mar) NW BARRETT GALLERY, PORTSMOUTH, NH: Group show entitled “Small Plates”
2019 (Year round) COULEUR COLLECTION, FALMOUTH, ME: A series of revolving, group shows
2018 (Nov 27-Dec 3) MAINE ART HILL, POP UP GALLERY, KENNEBUNK, ME: Christmas Prelude Solo Show
2018 (Oct 19-Nov 25) DAVID BATES PHOTO, ART & HERITAGE SHOW, SACO, ME: Multi-artist Show
2018 (Aug-Sept) DODWELL GALLERY LONG ISLAND, CASCO BAY, ME: Group show
2018 (Year round) COULEUR COLLECTION, FALMOUTH, ME: A series of revolving, multi-artist shows
2018 (Aug 11&12) RIVER CLUB GALLERY, KENNEBUNKPORT, ME: Group show; by invite only
2018 (Aug 7-13) MAINE ART HILL, POP UP GALLERY, KENNEBUNK, ME: 1 week solo show. Sold 15 paintings.
2018 (Aug 4) GOOSE ROCKS BEACH CLUB, GOOSE ROCKS, ME: Solo show of paintings and ceramic tiles
2018 (July-Aug) CASCO BAY ARTISANS, PORTLAND, ME: Group summer show
2017 (Year round) COULEUR COLLECTION, FALMOUTH, ME: A series of revolving, group shows
2017 (Dec 3- Feb 2018) DODWELL GALLERY LONG ISLAND, CASCO BAY, ME: Solo show
2017 (Aug 12 & 13) RIVER CLUB GALLERY, KENNEBUNKPORT, ME: Group show; by invite only
2017 (Jul-Aug) CASCO BAY ARTISANS, PORTLAND, ME: Blueberry paintings show during summer months
2017 (May 5 & 6) FALMOUTH, ME: Chosen to paint on-site for the 3rd year during high-end Kitchen Tour.
2016 (Year round) COULEUR COLLECTION, FALMOUTH, ME: A series of revolving, group shows
2016-2017 (Ongoing) DISTINCTIVE TILE & DESIGN, KENNEBUNK, ME: Art on the walls of the showroom
2016 (Aug-Septl) FURMAN GREGORY DEPTULA LAW FIRM: Solo show, Biddeford, ME
• Previous Exhibits, continued •
2016 (July-Aug) CASCO BAY ARTISANS, PORTLAND, ME: Showing my blueberry paintings during Summer
2016 (May 6 & 7) FALMOUTH, ME: Chosen to paint on-site for the 2nd year during high-end Kitchen Tour.
2016 (All year) PIER 77 RESTAURANT, CAPE PORPOISE, ME: Solo show
2015 (Year round) COULEUR COLLECTION, FALMOUTH, ME: A series of revolving, group shows
2015 (Oct) HANDWORKS GALLERY, BLUE HILL, ME: Group show
2015 (Sept) MAINE PRESERVATION SOCIETY FUND RAISER EVENT, CAPE ELIZABETH, ME: Group show
2015 (Aug) GALLERY AT THE GRAND, KENNEBUNK, ME: Solo show: “Vivid”
2015 (July) NW BARRETT GALLERY, PORTSMOUTH, NH: Group show: “Estuaries”
2015 (July) MAINE ART SHOWS, KENNEBUNK, ME: Invitational Group show: “Maine As They See It”
2015 (June) & 2014 (June) GALLERY AT THE GRAND, KENNEBUNK, ME: 2 Group shows: “Art Works”
2015 (April) FURMAN GREGORY DEPTULA LAW FIRM, BIDDEFORD, ME: Solo show
2015 (Feb) RIVER ARTS, DAMARISCOTTA, ME: Group show: “Artist’s Choice”
2015 (Feb) KPT ARTHOUSE, KENNEBUNK, ME: Group show: “First Time”
2015 (Feb) SENTRY HILL AT YORK HARBOR, YORK, ME: Solo show and talk by artist
2014 (Oct) KPT ARTHOUSE, KENNEBUNK, ME: Grand Opening Group show
2014 (Sept) LAUDHOLM FARM, WELLS, ME: Solo show during the “Punkinfiddle Family Festival”
2014 (July) & 2013 (June & Sept) NONANTUM RESORT, KENNEBUNKPORT, ME: 2 Solo morning shows
2014 (June) BURDICKS RESTAURANT, WALPOLE, NH: Solo show
2014 (May) THE GALLERY AT 11 PLEASANT, BRUNSWICK, ME: Grand Opening Group show
2014 (April) FURMAN GREGORY DEPTULA LAW FIRM, BIDDEFORD, ME: Solo show
2014 (Feb) & 2013 (Dec) RIVERTREE ARTS, KENNEBUNK, ME: Group Valentines show, & Group Prelude show
2014 (Jan–Feb) & 2013 (June–July) BAM BAM BAKERY, PORTLAND, ME, 2 Solo shows
2013-2014 (Year-round) VILLAGE YOGA WELLNESS CENTER, KENNEBUNK, ME: Several revolving solo shows
2013-2017 (Year-round) COULEUR COLLECTION, FALMOUTH, ME: Several revolving, group shows
2013 (July) GAFFNEY LIBRARY, WAKEFIELD, NH: Group show
2013 (Mar) THE CHOCOLATE CHURCH, BATH, ME: Group show: “Fiddleheads & Springtime Pleasures”
2013 (Feb & Mar) THE SALT EXCHANGE, PORTLAND, ME: 2 Group shows
2012 & 2013 (May–Oct) BEACH DREAMS COTTAGES, WELLS, ME: Solo shows
2012 (Dec) GAFFNEY LIBRARY, WAKEFIELD, NH: Solo show
2012 (Oct) LACAVA, BIDDEFORD, ME: Solo show during Biddeford Art Walk
2012 (June–Aug) BIDDEFORD SAVINGS BANK, SCARBOROUGH, ME: Solo show
2012 (Feb–Mar) BEACH PEA BAKING COMPANY, KITTERY, ME: Solo show
2010–2015 (Year-round) SEED & BEAN COFFEEHOUSE, KENNEBUNK, ME: Several revolving solo shows
