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Robyn would tell you that he had no problems because God and people loved
him! Robyn enjoyed making people happy by painting pictures. He
painted totally from his own mind's experience. Robyn used regular house
paint and plywood that came from a lumber yard cutting room.
Robyn lived by himself next door to his parents. When he was not painting
or working in his Mom and Dad's yard, he was donating his time to Oldsmar's
volunteer organizations. The Oldsmar Chamber of Commerce and the Oldsmar
City Officials have given Robyn a number of awards for his volunteer work.
Robyn's work could be seen in the magazine, FOLK ART, four times each
year. FOLK ART is published by the Museum of American Folk Art. The
Beaver's works were represented in the 1993 and 1994 Benefit Auction for the
FOLK ART SOCIETY OF AMERICA (FASA). He was represented again in the
Benefit Auction held in Atlanta, Georgia, 1995.
"The Beaver" had three very successful shows at the Annual FOLK FEST
held in Atlanta, Georgia. He also was in the 1997 FOLK FEST.
Robyn was a regular Folk Artist at the VERY SPECIAL ARTS GALLERY IN WASHINGTON,
D.C. The Very Special Arts Gallery was founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy
Smith, as an educational affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts. In 1992, the Beaver was featured on the center's Special
Invitations.
Since that very first show at the Very Special Arts Gallery that was held in
1992, Robyn had been a regular Folk Artist. Not only in the Washington,
D.C. gallery, but also the Very Special Arts Gallery in New York and other
states. Robyn was in the Very Special Arts programs all over the United
States.
April of 1997, Robyn was a special guest on opening night at the Very Special
Arts Gallery's Show "Critter Crossing" in Washington, D.C.
Opening night was a tremendous success. Hundreds of Folk Art lovers were
in attendance.
In 1995, The Atlanta Paralympic Organizing Committee commissioned "The
Beaver" to contribute his art for an elaborate holiday greeting card for
the 1996 PARALYMPIC GAMES. This fantastic holiday card was sent to 3,000
of the committee's largest sponsors.
Robyn's artwork on the four fold holiday card has received OVERWHELMING positive
response from all of those involved in the project. The card was mailed to
chief executives at PARALYMPIC GAME sponsors such as COCA-COLA and IBM.
The Paralympic Games, which featured 3,500 physically disabled athletes from 120
countries, were staged for 10 days in Atlanta, 1½ weeks after the SUMMER
OLYMPIC GAMES of 1996.
Doing this for the 1996 Paralympic Games was a great honor for "The
Beaver". This great holiday card has WON MANY NATIONAL
AWARDS.
A great honor was bestowed on Robyn in April of 1998. "The
Beaver" was one of two artists who were chosen to be represented at the
prestigious and world wide famous HELEN KELLER FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL AWARDS
BANQUET in Atlanta, Georgia. Robyn's artwork was displayed throughout the
banquet room. He was epitomized and brought to the attention of all,
"THIS IS WHAT A PERSON CAN ACCOMPLISH, EVEN WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES, IF
THAT PERSON HAS THE WILL, THE LOVE, THE DESIRE, AND THE HEART OF HELEN KELLER.
"The Beaver's" work can be found in galleries in over 20 of the states
in this great nation of ours. He is also in a number of museums. His
little Folk Art paintings are also in the collections of some of the largest
Folk Art Collectors in America. Also, his upbeat folk art paintings are in
some of the smallest Folk Art Collections in America-and just as important, his
happy folk art paintings are hanging on the walls in hundreds of homes of people
who do not collect folk art but collect "The Beaver's" works because
of the happiness these little bright paintings bring to their everyday
lives. And to all those who have purchased "The Beaver's" works,
THANK YOU! You helped make "The Beaver's" life a full one
indeed!
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