Robin M Birrell

"Ready to Leave" 4 - 6x6 inch panels, collage on wood ~

2012-01-28T12:54:00.001-07:00

They're finished and ready to hang! No framing necessary.
Check out Mother Bird on the far right, I think she's ready too! :)

"Untitled" graphite illustration~ I've received many excellent suggestions from you all about what she might be so intent on looking at, but I find that I can't bring myself to fill in the blank space. Feeling her intensity and wondering is just too interesting right now!

2012-01-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

One panel down, three to go! 6x6 inch collage on wood panel

2012-01-08T19:43:00.001-07:00

Baby Robins collage in progress. It's now winter in Nebraska and once again I'm already craving Spring! Stay tuned...

2012-01-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

Washington D.C. Temple, 14x14 inch, collage, This temple is quite special to me as it was the one I went to all my life and was also married in! The photos I have have never done it's striking architecture or lush grounds justice in my mind, so I created my own without any hint of man's influence in the setting. I remember traveling from my home in Maine, to the temple in April and enjoying the grounds and Cherry blossoms awhile before going back to snow and ice! A soul refresher in many ways....

2011-12-22T08:52:00.003-07:00

Close up

Christmas present for Cassie, who is deaf :) Colored pencil, 16x20 inch

2011-11-30T19:57:00.000-07:00

!! NEW !! "Barefoot" 12x16 inch, paper collage

2011-11-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

"Beautiful" 10x10 inch collage on cradled wood panel~ Got a chance to visit home (Maine) this summer and spent time w/ many beautiful nieces amongst all the other family members. When I got back, this quote from "The New Era" magazine fit my sentiments exactly. "Here are five things that make a young woman truly beautiful. • Her virtue, modesty, and chastity • Her kindness to others, regardless of who they are • Her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ • Her dignity in the face of ridicule for her high moral standards • Her intelligence coupled with her cheerful optimism"~ I am blessed to have so many lovely examples of beauty!

2011-10-24T15:31:00.002-06:00

New Art Nouveau piece in progress...

2011-09-18T18:49:00.000-06:00

"Five of Them Were Wise" 9x12 inch collage

2011-08-22T15:08:00.000-06:00

This is Billy...

2011-04-11T19:34:00.000-06:00

Above: This is Billy...

...and this is Billy's blanket. New illos. for toddler's book by Corey and Becky Morris. The colors didn't scan as well as I liked but my camera had to charge!

"Shrub Roses", 10x10 inch, Collage on cradled wood panel

2011-01-31T11:27:00.001-07:00

Haven't painted flowers for awhile and needed a springtime pick-me-up during my first Nebraska winter! No underpainting. All recycled paper, all the time. Enjoy!

Salt Lake Temple Matted and Framed~ Thank you Sandy!

2010-09-26T14:39:00.000-06:00

The Howe Family had their new Salt Lake Temple portrait matted and framed and graciously sent a snapshot of the finished product! I think the green mattboard is a perfect choice ~ Thank you, Sandy!

Salt Lake Temple 30x40 inch collage

2010-07-01T13:01:00.000-06:00

It's finally complete! This temple was one of the first built in these Latter Days. It is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Because of it's location in amongst other buildings, I created this view from a montage of photos, to leave out other buildings, people and power lines. The temple grounds are even more beautiful in reality. I recommend a visit if you're in the area! I apologize for the lack of focus ~ a photographer I am not !

2010-06-25T16:53:00.000-06:00

Almost finished! 30x40 inch collage of Salt Lake Temple

close up of temple flower beds in progress

Thank You, Jordan ! 4.5 x 7.5 inch, Ink and Watercolor

2010-03-25T17:33:00.000-06:00

My (almost )15 year old friend Jordan made me the most delicious Chocolate Chocolate cake yesterday- it was so good! I know she wants to be a Veterinarian, but she'd make a great Pastry Chef !

"Utah Desert" 12x18 inches, collage

2010-03-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

"Familiar Gestures" 8x10 inch, collage

2009-12-07T12:22:00.001-07:00

Happy Holidays!
As I sit in church meetings, restaurants or even walking through my son's high school, dreaming about my next project , I keep noticing how all people use pretty much the same familiar unconscious gestures to express emotion. Including this one that Kristen Stewart is currently making famous, the "hair tuck" behind the ear.

Thanks to all the friends who helped create the backdrop for the creche exhibit! Especially Julie Zelasko who spent many, many hours painting and putting up with my bossiness, now that's a good friend! Also, Josie, Jeremy, J.D., Jordan, Reina, Scott and Brenda for pitching in and making it fun...

"Springtime" diptych, 2- 5x7 inch, colored pencil

2009-09-25T11:33:00.000-06:00

We had our first snow of the year here in Colorado this week. It made me face up to Winter's imminent arrival and look forward to Spring! Here's a light study of beautiful blooming Maple trees in Raymond , Maine. I'll always remember how they seemed to glow in the springtime.

"Follow the Leader" 4x12 inch, gouache and ink

2009-09-25T10:04:00.000-06:00

Just a quick exercise in patterning - dogs running full out, having a great time together- They're a joy to watch!

"In Her Favorite Boots, She Can Take On The World" 11x14 inches, collage

2009-09-16T13:08:00.001-06:00

When you're wearing your favorite pair , your whole day just goes so much better. Here's to all the Cowgirls out there whose favorite shoes are Boots! My new paper painting for "Boots to Heal" is finally finished! They're a great charity organization out of Texas to benefit those suffering with childhood cancers. This is in memory of my brother-in-law who I look forward to meeting on the other side. :)

Close-up of Boot

" Bridesmaid " 12x13" collage

2009-07-30T17:07:00.003-06:00

close-up

We've all been there haven't we? Outfitted ladies to match the decor, dresses all colors of the rainbow in all imaginable fabrics? Shoes so interesting you'll probably wear them next October 31th? My homage to those wonderful days when we show our love and devotion to the bride by wearing Anything she's always dreamed of...

Here she is, only LARGER !!!

2009-07-23T08:13:00.001-06:00

"She loves Parsley" 14x18" collage

2009-07-22T13:52:00.002-06:00

This is a portrait of one of the buff Orpington hens that we raised at our home in Maine. The whole flock just loved my herb garden, partly for bugs but mostly for the parsley. They would eat some every day - yummy eggs!

"Before she was 'Mom' "11x14 collage

2009-07-22T13:14:00.004-06:00

This is my third figure piece in this medium and I'm hooked! I like to call it "paper painting" rather than collage. It seems to describe my pieces better because I use only colored paper from magazines, never full images or print as in most collage works. It takes a while (and Lots of magazines) to find the right skin tones but it satisfies my obsessive need for great detail and helps me relax!

"Sunlit" 6x9 colored pencil & india ink

2009-06-22T15:35:00.001-06:00

My fantasy version of an actual sunlit aspen forest here in beautiful Colorado!

2009-05-21T19:40:00.003-06:00

Assorted Illustrations

2009-05-21T19:33:00.003-06:00