The Lost Dog Bar & Lounge is a big place. To fill the walls of such a space with art means either lots and lots of little pieces or a few big pieces. For her first-ever exhibition, artist Robin Cole decided to play it safe and opted for lots of big pieces.
“That’s in part due to my husband, who builds my canvases,” Cole said. “He’s six-three and he builds what’s comfortable, and I’ve never wanted to dissuade the creative process. When he gives me a five-by-five canvas frame it’s time to go.”
Cole’s monthlong exhibition includes about 20 large oil paintings, mostly on an animal and nature theme. In particular, her chocolate lab, Dylan, does his best to steal the show.
Cole and her husband, Chuck, moved to Durango in 2000, and she’s been working at Fort Lewis College, where she’s director of Web development, ever since. Jobs like that don’t leave much time for art exhibitions.
“I’m a closet artist, but I’m out of the closet now,” Cole said. “I think life gets so crazy and busy between family, work and home. Painting is something I’ve done in between those things, and it didn’t come up in day-to-day happenings with my colleagues. Oil painting just doesn’t come up in conversations.”
Cole paints a variety of flora and fauna, but it’s not the individual subject that inspires a painting.
“I am extremely visual. Everywhere I go, I’m looking at color, light and shadow,” she said. “It’s just one of those habits we pick up. When I hit on something like a dog or cat it’s primarily because of the way the light hits that object.”
Her opening Thursday was well-attended, which allayed one of her early fears. And there were many.
“It was terrifying-slash-over-the-top exciting,” Cole said. “Being the quiet artist and having all that work in my studio is quite a bit different than seeing it all up in one place. I wanted to run when I first walked in the door, but everyone at the Lost Dog was incredible, very supportive and friendly. And my colleagues came out in droves. That’s when I sort of knew it’s going to be OK.”
ted@durangoherald.com
If you go
The Lost Dog Art Spectacle presents the artwork of Robin Cole, through Sept. 3 at the Lost Dog Bar & Lounge, 1150 Main Ave. For more information, call 259-0430.
