White Hot Spotlight On Artists: Meet Robert Colburn

Yes, I changed the label from "Spotlight on Artists" to "White Hot Spotlight on Artists," because these artists are psssssssssssst (too hot gesture, after touching one's badunk and blowing out the smoke) white hot.

For correctly identifying this photo of "How Well Do You Know The Midcoast?" meet the very multifarious, very talented Robert Colburn, an area painter who makes his living and dream in the Midcoast. Here is little bit more you need to know about Robert...

KC: What’s your deal? I see from your Facebook profile you are an artist.

RC: Yes, I am a painter. I have two major focuses in my work, one which is the Maine landscape and the other I'm calling my New American Pop series.

KC: What random things can you list for us here that inspire New American Pop. Okay, just tell us what it is?

RC: The ability to engage and critique popular culture by the co-opting of everyday, often banal, imagery - the "sign" language of our cultural experience - has always been attractive to me. Making works that have some personal connection and by maintaining my awareness of surface and color, yield paintings which I feel balance their often "hard edge" or graphic qualities and convey my love of materials and process.

KC: Why is it both intimidating and exhilarating to be an artist living here in the Midcoast?

RC: Maine has such a long history of supporting and nurturing artists. It is difficult not to see that history and the artists and art that has been, and is being made, in the state without wondering if I have it within me to bring something unique and thoughtful to the conversation. Fortunately, I, and I suspect most artists, use this kind of "intimidation" to push themselves out of their comfort zones and when that happens ---you get a painting that fulfills your desires as an artist and contributes to the culture and thoughtfulness of your community. That's when it is exhilarating.

KC: Where can we see your stuff?

RC: The landscape work I show at Bayview Gallery which has locations in Camden and Brunswick and the pop art I show with Jared Cowan at Asymmetrick Arts on Main Street in Rockland.

To see more of Robert's work: www.robertcolburn.com
This site features his original artwork - paintings and drawings - as well as links to various other art related sites he finds of interest.

To participate in these corny quizzes so you get a shot at the spotlight, fan The Killer Convo on Facebook.