Meet Robin Frost-Bess | Paper Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robin Frost-Bess and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I come from a long history of strong women artists, including my mother and both grandmothers. After spending the first 30 years of marriage working at various jobs and, most importantly, helping raise my four children, I returned to my roots and began experimenting with my own artistic methods. After settling on doing mixed media by incorporating paper, pen and ink, and alcohol markers on canvas, I soon had created multiple pieces that were displayed in my own home. With the encouragement of my family, I began to show my art at small venues like coffeeshops and breweries and distilleries. Once it was clear that people appreciated what I did and would pay for my work, I took the leap into starting my business. I now show in 2 Indianapolis-based galleries and an a participant in 5-6 shows per year, including Talbot Street (Indy), Penrod (Indy), Cherokee Triangle (Louisville) and 4th Street Art Fair (Bloomington IN).

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Art has always been part of me, but for many years it lurked in the background. At times I would get the urge and dabble in something, but then life would come along and I would push that passion back into the recesses of my brain, saying “someday” I can let it take over. Having that patience was definitely the hardest part of the journey. I realized that life has its own rhythm, and sometimes, you have to let that rhythm play out, but seize the moment when it comes.

My art is different than most in that I use various colors and textures of paper to create the images of places and things that make me happy. People have told me that my work reminds them of a place or thing that was important to them. The texture of the art brings the image to life, and I tend to work in bold, vibrant colors that command attention when you walk into a room in which it is hanging. Some of the work is whimsical in nature, some is meant to represent an idea of a place, and some is drawn out of images in my head from places I’ve been.

I am at a point in my career now that I am very comfortable with my chosen medium and what it means to people. I have a following of people who know my work and recognize it when they see it at a show or in a gallery. As an artist, having a unique identity is very important, and having carved out my niche is special to me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have lived in Indianapolis for over 30 years. When we first moved here, almost all of the restaurant choices were national chains, and there was very little action happening after 5:00 in the evening on any given night. Flash forward to today and downtown Indianapolis is vibrant and full of people, both residents and visitors to the city for the many conventions that choose to come to Indianapolis for their event.

You would definitely find my husband and I doing a special dinner at Bluebeard, one of the most awarded restaurants in the city. Or on a Thursday night we might be in the Fountain Square area doing trivia night with our kids at the Red Lion. Nearby to to one of my galleries (Full Circle 9, or FC9) in the Circle City Industrial Complex is the Bottleworks district in the thriving Massachusetts Avenue district. Here there are multiple restaurants and bars along with a nationally rated food court that offers a wide variety of ethnic food and drink.

Of course, we love the many breweries and distilleries that have sprung up in the last 15 years. One of our favorites is Sun King, which was one of the first independent breweries in Indianapolis. Just down the street from my FC9 gallery is the 8th Day Distillery, which makes the monthly First Friday open gallery events extra special. For a sweet or savory treat, we make sure to hit up 4 Birds Bakery for their awesome cookies or their amazing breakfast sandwiches that can be found at multiple farmers’ markets.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, my family has been my biggest supporters. I am not sure I would have stepped out if not for them. My husband, Scott, is my biggest fan. He encouraged me to get out there and that people could actually benefit from my art and style. I have also learned so much from my fellow artists, whether in the gallery setting or a show. I am always wanting to learn more and grow as an artist.

Website: http://rbpaperartdesigns.com

Instagram: @rbpaperartdesigns

Image Credits
KelseyBauchle.com