“Emotionalism as art”
I paint and write to get ideas out of my head … otherwise they rattle around up there and occupy the late hours. Not all of them are good ideas, and many of them are, in fact, terrible. But painting has become my way of finishing a thought or adding meaning to an emotion or even addressing a fear. The words that accompany my paintings don’t follow a typical naming convention and hopefully add a level of insight for the viewer that is intended to help us connect.
It’s a freeing process for me to develop an idea and see it through from inception to something that others can experience, which is the point of it all. I want to connect with you, but I have rarely been able to adequately communicate the swirling thoughts and feelings that fill up my headspace every night. So this is what I do. Those are my emotions on the wall, they are my aspirations, my history, happiness and pain. All of it … my journey and given grace ... my desperation, doubts and overwhelming insecurity — just waiting for you to look and relate.
This is a way for me to add context. The figures represent various themes or emotions I try to convey because I believe they are meaningful. I have learned more importantly though, that my story isn’t the only one being told in this relationship between artist and viewer, me and you — and that everyone brings their unique perspective to the interaction. It would be selfish to think otherwise. The work is designed to get you thinking about what these scenes mean to you, from your point of view. It’s intended to transport you from this very spot to another time. I hope these images do just that — and maybe it’ll create a space we can explore together.
I stopped painting for a long time. I had gone through a long period where nothing came out of me that had any beauty. And then I started over. With a lot of help, I found that I had a lot to say, and it continues to unfold in the figures that I paint. Some will share their stories to you and some will not … but before you pass on by, consider what they mean to you in your life, through your experiences. Go on that trip because it’s ok to do so. I think it’ll make the experience more authentic and we can possibly tread some common ground.
Drobatin1@gmail.com
DavidRobatin.com
I paint and write to get ideas out of my head … otherwise they rattle around up there and occupy the late hours. Not all of them are good ideas, and many of them are, in fact, terrible. But painting has become my way of finishing a thought or adding meaning to an emotion or even addressing a fear. The words that accompany my paintings don’t follow a typical naming convention and hopefully add a level of insight for the viewer that is intended to help us connect.
It’s a freeing process for me to develop an idea and see it through from inception to something that others can experience, which is the point of it all. I want to connect with you, but I have rarely been able to adequately communicate the swirling thoughts and feelings that fill up my headspace every night. So this is what I do. Those are my emotions on the wall, they are my aspirations, my history, happiness and pain. All of it … my journey and given grace ... my desperation, doubts and overwhelming insecurity — just waiting for you to look and relate.
This is a way for me to add context. The figures represent various themes or emotions I try to convey because I believe they are meaningful. I have learned more importantly though, that my story isn’t the only one being told in this relationship between artist and viewer, me and you — and that everyone brings their unique perspective to the interaction. It would be selfish to think otherwise. The work is designed to get you thinking about what these scenes mean to you, from your point of view. It’s intended to transport you from this very spot to another time. I hope these images do just that — and maybe it’ll create a space we can explore together.
I stopped painting for a long time. I had gone through a long period where nothing came out of me that had any beauty. And then I started over. With a lot of help, I found that I had a lot to say, and it continues to unfold in the figures that I paint. Some will share their stories to you and some will not … but before you pass on by, consider what they mean to you in your life, through your experiences. Go on that trip because it’s ok to do so. I think it’ll make the experience more authentic and we can possibly tread some common ground.
Drobatin1@gmail.com
DavidRobatin.com