About
My paintings usually start with four colors (a yellow, a red and two blues) arbitrarily splashed and sprayed and tilted around on wet watercolor paper. After that layer dries, I paint my subject on top. I think the first layer, which you can see through the transparent watercolor applied later, provides subtle variations and interest throughout the painting, and I think it is particularly lovely in the “whites”, which in my paintings are not white at all, but soft random mixtures of pink, yellow and blue. These READ as whites, but FEEL more like light to me, with its secret rainbow inside.
I like to wet the area where I’m applying paint and drop the pigments into the puddle, rather than brushing it on. I think this gives a nice “liquid” surface quality.
I like strong, vibrant color and especially gutsy, colorful darks, and I like my paintings to tell a story.
Honorary Awards
Master Signature Member, Watercolor West
Signature Member National Watercolor Society
Signature Member San Diego Watercolor Society
Signature Member Northwest Watercolor Society
Painter of the Year, Coachella Valley Watercolor Society 2014
Selected Awards
First Prize, Watercolor West International Exhibition 2014
Founders Award, Watercolor West International Exhibition 2010
People’s Choice Award, Watercolor West International Exhibition 2010
Juror’s Award, Watercolor West International Exhibition 2002
American Artist Award, Watercolor West International Exhibition 2001
$1000 Purchase Award, San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2000
Watercolor Enthusiasts’ Cash Award, San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2017
Golden Acrylics and Ph Martin’s Award, San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2016
Signature Members’ Cash Award, San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2012
Golden Acrylics Merchandise Award, San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2009
Columbia Winery Pacific Northwest Award, Northwest Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2014
$500 Cash Prize, National Watercolor Society Members’ Show 2016
Merchandise Award, New England Watercolor Society North American Biennial 2000
Best in Show, Palm Springs Art Museum Artists Council Annual 2000
SELECTED Exhibitions
American Watercolor Society 152nd Annual International Exhibition: 2019
National Watercolor Society International Open Exhibition: 1998
National Watercolor Society Members Show: 2017, 2016
New England Watercolor Society North American Biennial: 2010, 2004, 2000
Northwest Watercolor Society Open Exhibition: 2014, 2010, 2009
Palm Springs Art Museum Artists Council: 2010, 2009, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997
San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2009, 2000, 1996
Signature American Watermedia Exhibition: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
Watercolor West International Juried Exhibition: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2002, 2001, 1998, 1994
Western Federation of Watercolor Societies: 2012
Gallery shows
Archangel Gallery, Palm Springs, CA: Group show, 2015
Art Expressions Gallery, Palm Desert: Three-person show, 2006
Northwing Gallery, Palm Desert, CA: Solo show, 1996
Publications
In Her Studio, Spring, 2022, “Art In Progress”
Food + Home, Fall, 2021, “Putting the Pieces Together: A Fresh Take on Jigsaw Puzzles”
Palm Springs Life , June 25, 2021, “Piece by Piece: The Pandemic Spawned a New Direction for Palm Desert Watercolor Artist Robin St. Louis”
International Artist, Dec 2001/Jan 2002, “Postcard from California”
The Palette Magazine, Issue 1, “Be Creative with Figures”
The Palette Magazine, Issue 22, “Everything in its Place”
Watercolor Highlights, 2003, “Figures Versus Portraits”
Watercolor Magazine, Fall 1996, “Advice from Experts”
Watermedia Focus, Issue 16, 1999, “An Artist Worth Noting”
Teaching
Watercolor West Watercolor Demonstration Series, 2014, 2006
Numerous workshops
Judging
Indian Wells Arts Festival 2022, 2019, 2018
San Diego Watercolor Society Member Shows February 2018, July 2016
Redlands Art Association Annual Show 2014
Coachella Valley Watercolor Society Plein Air Show 2014
Education
BA, Wellesley College