About the Artist
Biography
Statement
As a classically trained contemporary realist painter my work is playful, contemplative, and at times a bit surreal, although not usually all at once, but sometimes. My paintings are a combination of observation, imagination, experience and a continuous drive to develop my skills. I paint objects or scenes that have the potential to go beyond the obvious and inspire viewers to see more than an accurate depiction of the subject. I enjoy the challenge of examining my subjects more closely through the process of painting and discovering new ways to express my ideas. Sometimes I paint scenes in nature that I find beautiful and inspiring, other times I paint to express emotions or ideas that move me in some way. It could be the beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore where I live or an experience that provokes thought or emotion. Regardless of subject, I paint what inspires me. My desire to push technical craftsmanship along with emotion and implied narrative is what excites me as a painter. My approach with every painting is to enjoy and learn from the process every time I paint. Sharing the results of my experience with each painting is also part of the process, as I believe we are always looking for ways to connect with others. Seizing the viewer’s attention long enough to make some connection that evokes emotion, provokes thoughts, or recalls memories helps keep us engaged.
Bio
Robin Wessman was born in Boston and is a life-long resident of Massachusetts. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree with a major in painting from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts & Education degree from the University of Massachusetts, North Dartmouth. He creates paintings of ordinary objects and places that offer visual stories about the beauty of nature and the interactions of people with each other and their surroundings. As a resident of Cape Cod he is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore and the energy of creative people who make Cape Cod their home. He employs the indirect method of painting which begins with sketches and studies from life, followed by a combination of direct paint application and layers of transparent paint. One constant in all his work is the exploration of light and how it affects form and creates atmosphere. He currently is a member of the teaching staff at Cape Cod Art Center in Barnstable, MA. His work is represented by several galleries and may be found in private collections throughout the US and internationally.
Select Exhibitions and Awards
2026 Group Exhibit, Master Artist Exhibition, Cape Cod Art Center, Barnstable, MA
2026 Juried Exhibit, "Fantastical Realities", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2026, 2025 Group Exhibit, "Familiar Faces", The 204 Cultural Center, Harwich, MA
2026 - 2017 Solo Exhibit, "Featured Artist", 10 consecutive years, Larkin Gallery, Provincetown, MA
2026, 2025 Group Exhibit, "In Tandem", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2026 Juried Competition, Finalist selected for Richelson75, Kimberly, WI
2026 Group Exhibit, "Focus on the Past", Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA
2026, 2025, 2024, 2023 Group Exhibit, "A Class Act", Cape Cod Art Center, Barnstable, MA
2015, 2014, 2025, Guild of Boston Artists, Juried Painting Competition, Boston, MA
2025 Group Exhibit, "Holiday Small Works Show", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2025 Group Exhibit, "Faculty Show", Cape Cod Art Center, Barnstable, MA
2025 Group Exhibit, "Gather", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2025 Group Exhibit, "Beachcombers - Then and Now", Mary Heaton Vorse House, Provincetown, MA
2025 Juried Exhibit, "Vernal Light", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2025 Group Exhibit, "Resilience", Provincetown Art Association and Museum, Provincetown, MA
2025, 2024, 2022, 2020 Juried Exhibit, "Focus on Figures" North River Art Society, Marshfield Hills, MA
2025 Solo Exhibit, "Destabilizing Reality", Truro Public Library, Truro, MA
2025 Group Exhibit, "Apricity", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2024 Juried Exhibit - Honorable Mention, "Abundance", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2024, 2023 Benefit Auction, "Off the Wall", Cape Cod Art Center, Barnstable, MA
2024 Juried Exhibit, "Exuberance", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2024 Group Exhibit, "Visionary Vistas", Four Person Show, Chapman Art Gallery, Cotuit, MA
2024, Group Exhibit, "Reflections", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2024 Group Exhibit, "New Members", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2023 Group Exhibit, "Holiday Small Works", Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2023 Group Exhibit, "Faces of Eastham", Eastham Public Library, Eastham, MA
2023 Group Exhibit, "Midsummer Light", Chapman Art Gallery, Cotuit, MA
2023 Juried Exhibit, "Strike a Pose", Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, MA"
2023 Juried Exhibit, "Happy Place", Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, MA
2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018 Selected 16 times as FASO FAV15% BoldBrush Painting Competition
2023 Group Exhibit, "The Painted Word", Eastham Public Library, Eastham, MA
2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 Benefit Auction, Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, MA
2022 Group Exhibit, "Second Summer", Larkin Gallery, Provincetown, MA
2022 Group Exhibit, "Cape Cod: Picture Perfect - Eastham Painters Guild", Eastham Public Library, Eastham, MA
2022 Group Exhibit, "Three Artists, Three Visions, One Venue", Chapman Art Gallery, Cotuit, MA
2022 Group Exhibit, "Zoom in on the Figure", Eastham Public Library, Eastham, MA
2022 Group Exhibit, "Cape Cod Art Week" Larkin Gallery, Provincetown, MA
2021 Group Exhibit, "Finding the Figure" Cultural Center of Cape Cod, So Yarmouth, MA
2021 Benefit 40th Annual GLAD Auction, Provincetown, MA
2021 Group Exhibit "Reds Exhibit", Larkin Gallery, Provincetown, MA
2020 Group Show, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, MA
2020 Group Exhibit, "Favorite Things", Chapman Art Gallery, Cotuit, MA
2020, 2019 Three Artists Exhibit, Chapman Art Gallery, Cotuit, MA
2019 Group Exhibit "Everything Still Life", Chapman Art Gallery, Cotuit, MA
2018 Group Exhibit, "Cape Cod National Seashore", Salt Pond Visitor Center, Eastham, MA
2018 Three Group Shows, Provincetown Art Association and Museum, Provincetown, MA
2018 Group Exhibit, "Artists and Muses", Barnstable Town Hall, Hyannis, MA
2018 Solo Exhibit, The Preservation Framer, North Attleboro, MA
2018 Solo Exhibit, Turner Gallery, Eastham Public Library, Eastham, MA
2018, 2017, 2016 Featured Artist, Gallery Artrio, Hyannis, MA
2018, 2017 Solo Exhibit, Post Office Gallery, Inc., North Truro, MA
2017 Selected Artist in 23rd Annual Juried Exhibit, Zullo Gallery, Medfield, MA
2017 Group Exhibit, Provincetown Art Association & Museum, Provincetown, MA
2017, 2016, 2010 Group Show, Blackstone Valley Artists, Spring Bull Gallery, Newport, RI
2016 (Best of Show), 2015, 2010, 2009, 2008 Fine Furnishings Show, Pawtucket, RI
2016 Selected Artist "8 Visions" Juried Exhibit, Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA
2016, 2013 (2nd Place), 2012, 2011 Duxbury Art Association, Winter Show, Duxbury, MA
2015 Solo Exhibit "Art of Levitation", The Preservation Framer, North Attleboro, MA
2015 Juried Exhibit "Art of the Heirloom", Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Boylston, MA & Botanical Garden, Brooklyn, NY
2014 Group Exhibit "Landscape Language", The Preservation Framer, North Attleboro, MA
2014 Three Person Exhibit "Funky Fish and Fine Art", Firehouse Gallery, Orleans, MA
2014 Group Exhibit "Shadows", Next Door Gallery, Mansfield, MA
2013 Two Person Exhibit "Beauty & Diversity in Nature", Chabot Fine Art, Providence, RI
2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 Group Exhibit, Lyme Art Association, Olde Lyme, CT
2012 Juried Artist, 62nd Annual National Exhibit, Academic Artists Association, Springfield, MA
2010 Group Exhibit "Summer in Newport", Isherwood Gallery, Newport, RI
2009 Featured Artist, Cape Cod Art Center, Barnstable, MA
Publications
2025 Provincetown Independent, Exhibit Review of Solo Show in Truro, MA
2023 Provincetown Independent, Interview on group exhibit
2023 Artist Close Up Magazine, Artist Interview in May issue
2021 Clover + Bee Art Magazine, Featured Artist
2019 Arts Light Cape Cod Magazine, Interview
2017 Cape Cod Art Magazine, Featured Artist in annual magazine
2013 Wrentham Cable, Artist Profile Interview
Education
Ohio University, Master of Fine Arts
University of Massachusetts, Bachelor of Fine Arts
University of Rhode Island, Master of Business Administration
Workshops
Emanuela DeMusis and Julie Beck through the Academy of Realist Art in Boston, MA, Christina Mastrangelo, Daniel Sprick, Jen Starling, Joseph McGurl, Bill Davis, Tom Deinenger, Don Demers, Kris Donovan, Stuart Dunkel, Mikel Wintermantel and Yves Parent
Galleries
Larkin Gallery, Provincetown, MA and Harwich Port, MA
JK Art House, Milwaukee, WI and Watch Hill, RI
J Todd Gallery, Wellesley, MA
Associations
Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
Oil Painters of America, Crystal Lake, IL
Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA
Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, MA
Provincetown Art Association and Museum, Provincetown, MA
Art Instruction
"Painting the Landscape" 2021 - 2026 at the Cape Cod Art Center
