Robin L. Washburn

My forms are influenced by nature and architecture and are derived from my desire to experiment with geometric shapes, texture and color and how these elements relate to and contrast with each other. I've never found an individual material that I'm happy working with exclusively. Combining materials is what I find exciting. I like the strength and durability of metal. Starting with steel, brass, copper and bronze alone or in combination thru brazing, welding, soldering and other techniques of fabrication I create a form. Utilizing these with colored concrete, corian, wood, stone and glass to enhance the overall properties of each is the intriguing challenge. By adding other materials to metal it softens it and provides contrasting color, warmth, texture and sensuality. And by combining different metals the range of color and texture achievable thru patinas is greatly extended. I use chemicals to make hot and cold patinas employing immersion, wrapped, buried and torch techniques. This past January, Robin's work won Best of Show at the Bonita Springs National Art Festival.