Jeffrey Robinson: Today’s Notable Young Professional

Today’s Notable Young Professional is Toronto-based artist Jeffrey Robinson (find him on Instagram here), who we caught up with to find out what inspires his craft and what advice he would share with other young professionals in creative industries…

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WORK

1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I’m a self-taught artist from Prince Edward County now residing in Toronto. My style ranges from many influences, from the 17th century to modern artists. Fine art paintings are my focus but I have interest in other mediums as well. I enjoy creating pieces that inspire emotion and thought, ranging from playful to deep and dark, that always embody a positive meaningful message.

2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
I’ve always had a vivid imagination and creative ability, but a dramatic series of events in my personal life five years ago became the catalyst to returning to my creative side as a full-time artist. I believe being an artist was always there, but it picked its time to take over my life.

3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
It was recently at the international art exhibition Art Monaco 2015, where I received the Award of Excellence as Emerging Artist.

4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
Thats a great question. Things seem to moving along quite quickly in the art world, so in five years I hope to be doing larger projects, own a bigger studio, and do solo exhibitions in major galleries in NYC, London and beyond. I will always be reaching for bigger and better – art is my life!

5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Listen to your grandma. She, along with my family, told me to go for my dreams. You need to be ambitious, tenacious and patient with the process.

6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
I have been involved and donated art to many, but the one that I enjoy the most is Eco-Warrior Foundation with pro surfer James Pribram in Laguna Beach, CA. He travels globally, bringing awareness to saving our oceans and beaches. We need more concern for our waterways; we will have nothing if they are stripped of their resources.

7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
I think the biggest challenge is finding a balance between budget and time. Art takes many hours of hard work and frustration, and is costly. To work a second job takes a lot of time away from this. I have pushed tooth and nail to find sales and alternative means with art to raise funds to carry onward.

8. What does the word notable mean to you?
Notable to me means being recognized for your struggle and hard work in a field that you love where you have overcame odds to find success. Being a person of note in your career and passion is a great reward.

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PLAY

1. Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
I have a few but I would say Grand Electric is my fave. The food is great and the lively atmosphere makes it a fun destination.

2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Besides social media I really like wikipedia to research artists and subjects for my paintings. As for music, I mix it up a lot… anything from deep house to cool remixes, to jazz, to classical. One song I have really enjoyed for the last while is “Et Moi” by Nym.

3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
I really like Muhammad Ali’s Instagram and Facebook pages. Always a mix of funny and inspiring; he’s one of my favourite icons.

4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
So far it’s been France. It’s just so full of culture, major appreciation for the arts, and quite romantic in many ways. I think the next trip will be the US, either Southern Cali or Miami for art week.

5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
I would say fashion and art events that look fun and exciting that I’m missing while in the middle of painting new work.

6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Haagen-Dazs peanut butter and chocolate ice cream.

7.  What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I think maybe I spend too much on delivery food and alcohol. And wish I spent more on marketing myself and travel.

8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success for me is merely being more well-known for my creativity, reaching a massive global audience so I may inspire more, and having a strong presence in awareness campaigns. With that I would get to travel more with my art and meet exciting people and places.

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