When Roger finally retired from teaching in California his own art career’s pace never slowed, right up and until his untimely death in October of 2007. His forty years of teaching and painting on the central coast of California allowed Roger Robinson to become well known in many circles and facets of the art community.
First, his reputation as a popular theatre teacher at San Luis Obispo High School became known to all from 1964-71. His art teaching at the time spread to Cuesta Community College Art Department from 1964 -1980. His directing soon encompassed two operas with the Gold Coast Opera Company. In 1970, a golden opportunity presented itself to him and the central coast with the purchase of the Red Door Gallery in Morro Bay. Many popular artists got their first start there, such as Chang Reynolds, Miguel Dominguez and Robert Reynolds.
Second, Roger’s painting never took a back seat during these years. One-man, two and three person art shows resulted in enthusiastic private commissions coming to him. The curator of the Palm Springs Desert Museum gave him and two other artists a premier show to kick off their gallery season. The galleries popular presence at the Wasco Rose Festival in Wasco, CA produced numerous art collectors who have collected his paintings over the years. The gallery is now closed to the public except by private appointment in Arroyo Grande, CA.
While operating his gallery, he started leasing art to local doctors, lawyers, corporate businesses and local banks in the central California. One of the banks, Mid-State Bank, become grossly involved in the evolution of Roger’s painting career. Eleven watercolor paintings were commissioned by the Los Osos office and soon spread to others. In 1993, a major development occurred with Roger and the bank. He became their artist-in-residence, creating over 125 paintings for offices from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles. Each bank commissioned in to captures the essence of each community and the surrounding area to display prominently in each bank
From this exposure, numerous private commissions continue to come to him. Previously a 2 ½ by 7 ½ foot commissioned watercolor was done for a home in Avila, CA featuring the coastline of central California. His most recent watercolor was a 2 ½ by 7 foot painting hung in the lobby of the new La Quinta Inn & Suites outside of Paso Robles, CA featuring the entire Arciero Winery complex.
Fifteen years ago, he was offered a major one-man exhibit at the University Julian McPhee Gallery at Cal Poly, featuring all large watercolors of his favorite haunts as well as popular public locations of the central coast of California. He continued to produce paintings for Mid-State Bank offices and administration offices and numerous private clients right up to his death. The painting entitled, “Tanaja Jars In Ponds” demonstrates the culmination of his talent in a career spanning 50 years and is reflected in the pond.
Until recently he served on the Art Center Board of Directors, chaired the ‘Remembrance Gathering’ in memory of his dear late friend and popular artist/curator, Arne Nybak. Arne’s friendship over the years has had a major impact on him and reflected on his painting. Every year he has served as Chairman of the Plein Air Festival Quick Draw and Auction raising approximately $20,000. As one of the few art appraisers on the central coast, he was kept very busy with his knowledge and understanding of art value.
His overshadowing of the art world on the central coast of California will forever leave an indelible impression. God’s speed to Heaven Roger, where a whole new kind of landscape awaits the magic of your brushes!
Biography from RogerRobinsonArt.com