Photos by Catherine Stachowiak
Popular local artist Robin Harmon was featured Artist of the Month at the Monster Mash themed reception, Saturday, October 12.
The Kern River Valley Art Association (KRVAA) held the reception at its gallery in Wofford Heights.
Harmon told the press what inspired her to choose the pieces she featured during her showing. She said, “I love Halloween. So I started with that. Basically, I love ravens, I love everything about Halloween. And it was very easy for me. I love Day of the Dead, the colors, the brightness.”
She made her piece titled Phoebe Loves Flowers from wool, which Laura Tran, who owns an Alpaca farm, acquired from creature donors named Pistachio and Capone. “This wool was given to me by Laura Tran.” She said, “I had been holding onto it, trying to figure out what would be a good picture to make with it. And I thought of that.”
Harmon is very inspired by the use of wool for her felting pieces and seems to be on that trajectory for the long haul. “I do have a piece centered. That’s the very first monster I’ve ever made. And she’s titled Delores Loves to Dance. And she’s doing the Monster Mash,” she said.
So what inspires Harmon about wool? “I love all wool. I mean just the texture of it, the colors I think are what really attracted me to do this art. I took one class from Shirley Davis and then I just took off from there. I didn’t know anyone else up here that gave lessons. And then I just started; I’m having my own class at the end of the month. And we’ll be doing a landscape painting with wool,” she said.
Her piece titled Running For Safety was one she displayed for the Kern Fire Safe Council’s art contest. Harmon won Third Place for the work.
Harmon, who was always creative, previously worked in mediums of ceramics, stained glass, and silver smithing. She made re-purposed jewelry and did a little bit of oil painting. However she prioritized her work and family life until she retired from her work as a longshoreman and finished raising her children. “I’ve been creative my whole life. But I would say I really didn’t become an artist until I retired and started doing art, pretty much full time, which has been the last five years,” said Harmon. She established Glitter Face Designs for her uniquely embellished wine glasses and bejeweled hearts.
According to her bio Harmon’s works have been shown at Bird Dog Gallery in Bakersfield, Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest, the KRVAA Gallery, and various pop-up art venues.
The Wofford Heights resident has lived in the valley for eight years with her husband who makes the frames for her works.
Awarded First Place, Best of Show, Steve Selznick won for his mixed medium piece titled, Whimsical City. President of the association, Buffalo Folsom said, “I have seen this artist really come along. And I expect great things from him in the future.”
Artist Cherie Booth won Second Place that evening, for the photography piece titled, “My Halloween Costume.” Albert Ulloa won Third Place that night for his uncycled functional medium piece titled, “Transformations.” Artist Patty Kelly won an Honorable Mention for her acrylic, paper machete piece titled, “Cats Eyes.”
