Crooked River by Robin Hostick Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 in. — Crooked River by Robin Hostick
Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 in.

Ever Tried This Social Adventure?

November 9, 2021

It appears I’ve made a habit of beginning each blog post with a dicey outdoor adventure. The truth is, I have a lot of those. But there are all kinds of adventures to be found, and not just in the outdoors. For example, leaving behind a thriving, comfortable career in mid-life to become a professional artist has opened opportunities for adventures I hadn’t expected. And not just because I made the leap two months before the pandemic hit.

Here's an unexpected mindset that can help you turn challenges into adventures.

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June 22, 2026

The Long Game

June 22, 2026

There are a few headwinds, for sure. But like everything else in this endeavor, it’s an experiment. Maybe a few people out there still value shared experience, or maybe some honest talk about the creative process. I’m betting on it, for now. If that’s you, read on.

June 22, 2026

August 6, 2025

The Key to Consistency

August 6, 2025

Although most of us manage to make it through that first day back at work after a vacation, for example, what about the less urgent stuff? What happens on week three after leaving off your training plan, diet, or whatever good thing you’re doing for yourself? Or, in the case of the self-employed artist, walking back into your mess of a studio after some time away, stacks of blank canvases staring reproachfully from the closet.

Luckily, there’s a solution to all that, at least one that seems to work for me.

August 6, 2025

June 11, 2025

It's Been HOW Long?

June 11, 2025

For yours truly, this past year has been a wild ride, a mixed bag, a roller coaster, and probably a few other metaphors. The highs were lofty and joyous, the lows abyssal. At some point I will likely share some of that, as it relates to artwork (doesn’t everything, on some level?), but most of it I’m still digesting. So for now, I’ll offer a few tidbits about art in Japan.

June 11, 2025

June 17, 2024

Show of the Year

June 17, 2024

In other words, I’m just doing one show this year. I know, it’s a narrow window to get a look at this year’s new works. Although I would dearly love to do more shows, we’ll have to make the best of this one. Here’s why.

June 17, 2024

March 5, 2024

Go Solo to Go Slow

March 5, 2024

Normally I explore with at least one other person. On this occasion, however, what started out as a group adventure dwindled to a group of one. So be it, I thought. A solo adventure awaits.

March 5, 2024

November 22, 2023

A Good Way to Make Space

November 22, 2023

I have a confession to make: I’ve been playing hooky from my social media obligations. I know! The nerve! But one thing is for sure: it’s given me some fresh perspective on what’s important. Here’s why.

November 22, 2023

June 1, 2023

Winter Works and Summer Shows

June 1, 2023

Those of you living in Oregon know this was one of the colder and wetter winters we’ve seen in a while. The term “cabin fever” comes to mind, perhaps mildly compared to many places in the world, but at some point I really yearned for a little sunshine, you know?

Everyone seems to have a different strategy for coping with a hard winter. My strategy this year was to spend most waking hours painting in my studio. The result, as planned, is a new body of work ready for release this summer. And you, my dear subscribers, are the first to see it.

June 1, 2023

March 7, 2023

This Feeling is Super Healing

March 7, 2023

Have you ever found yourself in the presence of beauty when time seems to stop for a moment? Maybe you sense the wind, the cool tingle of raindrops, or the silence of the desert. How did you feel? In awe, perhaps, or simply grateful to be alive? I sure hope so. Because it turns out that feeling is really, really good for you.

Lucky for us humans, the feeling of awe is there for us when we need it. Read on to learn what it is, how to find it, and how it drives my art practice.

March 7, 2023

November 9, 2022

Plein Air, If You Dare

November 9, 2022

Back in August, during the Umpqua Valley Plein Air event, I found myself looking for a place to camp for the night along the North Umpqua River. I finally came across a little campground tucked down off a gravel road along Canton Creek. It was mid-week, and to my surprise I found every site except one marked as reserved. Strange thing, though: the whole place was deserted. Where was everyone?

November 9, 2022

September 21, 2022

Into The Wild, Again

September 21, 2022

“I couldn’t believe it,” the man said, decked out in hiking gear and speaking with a German accent, “She was like THIS close to the grizzly.” He pointed to a car about twenty feet away. “Taking pictures with her phone!”

Yep, that was the scene up in Jasper National Park (British Columbia, Canada) a couple weeks ago. We arrived early to hit the trail up into the backcountry. Like everywhere else in the park, things were already busy. But on this particular morning, something was obviously up.

September 21, 2022

August 10, 2022

Crowd Dodging 101

August 10, 2022

Maybe you know the feeling: you show up to a beautiful, wild place you’ve been dying to see, or perhaps you’re returning full of anticipation for another visit, and reality sets in. It turns out there are a lot of other people with the same idea. Wow, you think. On the one hand, yay for all the people loving the outdoors! On the other hand, you might be looking for a more one-on-one experience with nature. How do you deal?

August 10, 2022

July 12, 2022

How to Test the Universe

July 12, 2022

As many of you know, it was a long, rainy winter here in Oregon. Many times on a rainy evening, after a full day in the studio, I’d ask myself whether I’m really on the right path. There’s so much to learn, so much to do.

Then I’d remind myself that this is an experiment in testing the principle of following your dreams. If you do what you love, and work hard a it, the universe will provide. Right? That, of course, and connecting with good people who love what you do.

July 12, 2022

May 23, 2022

Nine Things to Look Forward To

May 23, 2022

Maybe the only thing better than an Oregon summer is an Oregon summer with art. If that rings true for you, I have some great news! Over the next few months, I’ll be showing at nine different locations around the state. I know! Crazy. I just counted them up. And I’m hoping to see you at least once.

Before I say more, I’d like to warmly extend a couple of invitations.

May 23, 2022

April 4, 2022

A Most Dangerous Delicacy

April 4, 2022

A couple years ago a major storm coincided with opening day of crab season. At the stroke of midnight, over the sound of wind thrashing in the forest behind our cabin, we heard the rumble of diesel motors that told us the fleet was heading out. Through sheets of rain, we could just make out a line of lights navigating through the channel to the open ocean.

April 4, 2022

November 16, 2021

Don't Try This at Home

November 16, 2021

I’m talking about plein air painting, of course. The idea is, you’re supposed to be creating art outside, in the open air, baking sun, smoke and wind, not at home. Whatever it takes. No matter what.

But there are definitely a few things to be considered first. Here’s a short list.