NEW Seasons of the Soul print!

As I was putting the finishing touches on the painting for a new Seasons of the Soul print, I realized that it has been 25 years since the original version of the print was published. Wow!  That was kind of shocking!  So much has happened!  

During that time, over 4,400 of the lithographs have been purchased.   But perhaps the most interesting thing is how Seasons of the Soul has taken on a life of its own.  I am not quite sure how to describe it but people find their own stories within the narrative of the symbols. 

I will never forget the woman who was grieving the tragic death of her son.   She contacted me about purchasing a Seasons of the Soul print, after she had seen it in a therapist’s office.  She said she just wanted to stare at it.  I was so very deeply touched.  I thought about how one goes through cycles when grieving.  Cycles that repeat like the seasons…

The figure symbols that make up this artwork originated as individual doodles scattered throughout the pages of a sketchbook during a time of personal crisis.  It wasn't until sometime later that I noticed the doodles when I flipped through the sketchbook.  They seemed to be connected, so I drew them in a line and was amazed to see a visual story reveal itself. At the time, there were only ten figures, instead of the eleven that make up the finished piece.  Somehow I knew that the visual story was incomplete.  There needed to be at least one more figure... I had no idea what that figure would be.  The other figures had come to me without forethought.  After some time had past, I had almost given up on getting another insight.  And then it happened.  I was watching the television series, Fame, (this was the '80s, y'all).  There was a scene where Debbie Allen was rehearsing alone in a studio and dancing her heart out.  As she started across the floor, she struck a pose that instantly crystalized in my mind's eye.  That was it!

detail from
Seasons of the Soul
©1990

So I drew the figure and then added it to the end of the line of others and it completed the cycle!  My next challenge would be to find the perfect background...  After much experimentation, I ended up with a sky with clouds moving toward the golden sun.

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Seasons of the Soul
©1990 Stephanie E. Robinson

©2015 Stephanie E. Robinson
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watercolor and ink on paper
image size:  11 x 11 inches


Seasons of the Soul
25th anniversary edition

My plan is to produce a guided meditation cd to accompany the hand signed print.

Detail from
25th anniversary edition
Seasons of the Soul

CATS!

People love their cats every bit as much as people love their dogs.

click on image to enlarge

This painting was commissioned to give as a gift.  The cat on the left is no longer living but was loved and cherished.  There were only two photos of the cat to be found and they were not good for reference for a pet portrait.  So I had to think outside the box.



If you are interested in viewing my portfolio of pet portraits, click here:

petfriendportraits.com

Family Woods

This watercolor painting was commissioned by a friend I have known since elementary school.  She contacted me a few months ago to ask me if I would be interested in making a special painting for her mother's 80th birthday.  She said the family would be gathering at the beach in August for a big celebration (all 80 of them!).  

watercolor
image size: 16 x 20 inches
click on image to enlarge

She requested a mountain scene with groups of trees to represent the 3 daughters, the 17 grandchildren, and the 10 great grandchildren.  I sent her a photo of a drawing of the layout for the painting for her approval.

She liked the drawing and asked if I would add an inscription to the rock in the foreground.  The hawk soaring in the distance was my idea.

As I was adding the finishing touches to the painting, I got a message from her asking if I would add another tree to the great grandchildren group to represent the newest addition to the family!

Once the painting was finished, I took it to my printer to have a high resolution scan made so that after she presents the painting to her mother, family members can order a fine art print of the painting for a special keepsake.

Then I packed up the painting and shipped it to her.  

Earth Spirit

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original graphite drawing
image size:  14 x 17 inches


$175


Earth Spirit

It has been several years since I created the first drawing of this series... Each time one is sold, I consider it a challenge to come up with a new version.  This is my latest version.


"Treat the earth well; it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.  We do not inherit the earth from our Ancestors.  We borrow it from our children."
                    ~ancient Native American proverb

Turtle Trio

click on image to enlarge
 original watercolor
image size: 6 x 13 inches


 $195

SOLD

This little watercolor was inspired by one of my many trips out to the Eno River.

"I've known rivers;
  I've known rivers ancient as the world
    and older than the blood of human blood
     in human veins.
  My soul has grown deep like the rivers."                  

                                                     ~Langston Hughes

                                                  

3 DOGS

click on image to enlarge

image size:  16 x 12-1/2 inches


Dozer, Marty, and Jake

This is a watercolor painting for commission.  The client requested that a reproduction be made which I am having professionally printed.  The print will be virtually identical to the original and printed on 100% rag cotton paper (very similar to the watercolor paper which the original is painted on) with fade resistant archival inks.  I will mat and frame them both.  The client plans to gift one of them to his daughter who is the owner of the English bulldog.

Before I began the painting I created a detailed drawing from the photograph the client provided.