Robyn Cochran-Ragland Artist

I am forever pulled to the simplicity and complexity of the human figure. I attempt to capture a pose quickly and fluently. The figure is so personal, so close and I am so very aware of its image. I, therefore, feel that I must work within the confines of the figure again and again. I strive to draw the ideal figure and the perfect mood of the pose while conscientiously trying to create a well-designed work of art. I learned from master figure artist Harry Carmean and master anatomical artist Burne Hogarth: as well as painters Dan McCaw, Lorrie Madden, Dawn Emerson and Peter Liashkov; illustrators Antonio Lopez, Lou Police and Bill Reiser; and designers Ruth Tulino and Walter Herrington.

My works are part drawing and part painting. I enjoy working the color to bring life to the surface. Limiting color is part of my mental process: get the light and the shadow then make it glow or feel the texture. Atelier 6000 print studio/Bend Art Center has opened new horizons of adding chine colle to texture, ink to pastel and figure to surface. Designing monotypes with figure drawings has warmed my artistic heart. Lately I've been consumed with just the drawing: lecturing on figure drawing, drawing in 2-4 workshops a week, choosing the colors, catching the gesture or movement, and exploiting the mood. 

I have been a contributing illustrator to the Bend Fashion Quarterly. I have fine art showing at Lakewood Arts Gallery as a co-op member, also at 40 West Arts Gallery in Lakewood, Art Students League Denver and NoBo Art District in Boulder. A member of 40 West, NoBo Arts District, Boulder Art Assoc, Redline Contemporary Art Center. Occasionally teaching figure and still life drawing.