Meet Craig Robb | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Craig Robb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Craig, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
That would have to be the intangibles that I put into my process. Having learned a work ethic from my parents and my family of ranchers, I understood the time and effort that I would need to put into this career as a sculptor. I remember students asking me what it was like to be a professional artist. I would tell them about my work week and how I would spend the day with them, close the shop and work for several hours on my art and go home. After the week was done, I would go in on Saturday and work for ten plus hours. On Sunday, I would go play soccer and drink beer and crash and start again on Monday. Of course, the students looked chagrined and would say that they thought that I’d be more encouraging. To that, I told them, yes it was hard but that in all of the things that I had done through my life, this was the only thing that truly fulfilled me and made me happy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My sculptures are wall hung objects that incorporate a wide variety of material to express my vision. I am a formalist by nature in how I work with my base materials. Within that tradition I like to alter our perceptions of material by using them in ways outside of expectation. We consider steel to be stiff and structural so I curve and twist it. The wood transforms from its organic nature to become rectilinear and structural components. I use these elements to create spaces and also to draw the viewer’s eye to them. Within these spaces I place objects that I have found or created. These objects are by their nature laden with symbolism. When these objects come together stories and metaphors emerge.

I got to where I am through hard work and perseverance and a lot of stubbornness. I didn’t start out as an artist. I tried several other career paths before deciding this was the direction I would go. Seeking a change in my life, I returned to University and happened upon a teacher who saw within me my potential and encouraged it. After much resistance, I succumbed. Having watched my brother struggle to become successful as a sculptor, I knew that it was not going to be easy and that I would probably never get rich doing it. And yet I also saw in him a passion that drove him to succeed. I had that within in me that passion and this desire that would not go away so I went for it. Because of this, I have been fortunate enough to create art that I love and want to build but is also liked by others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For a nice day trip, my latest place of interest would be the Green Mountain Falls Skyspace by James Turrell above Colorado Springs. Maybe a visit to the D & F tower observation deck to get a view of downtown. And of course hiking anywhere in the foothills or even crown hill.
I’m a big breakfast guy so el Taco de Mexico for chorizo and eggs. And definitely Moe’s for a bagel. Brother’s bar for a pint and a JCB burger and Walnut Room for a thin-crust pie.
And for a little culture, visit MCA and to support our local artisans, a trip to the many cooperative galleries.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people in my life that deserve to be recognized for the many great things they do in the world. Two of my favorite people are Maeve Eichelberger and Robyn Frances. Maeve is both an amazing artist and a dedicated teacher. She constantly pushes herself with her art to improve her craft and on the business side, always in search of the next opportunity to place her art. As an educator, she is totally absorbed with and dedicated to her students.

My other person would be Robyn Frances or GrowLove. Again, an amazing artist working with spray paint. She has expanded from the canvas to creating some of the best large scale murals found in the area. Although rather quiet about her past, I know she has overcome some hardships to become an amazing and creative individual with her art, her murals and now a clothing line.

Website: https://craigrobb.com/

Instagram: @craiger3d

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigrobb/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craig.robb.35/