About the Artist

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Hello

My name is Robyn,

and I am the creator who sees things á Travers de Jolis Yeux.

I’ve been creating my entire life. Derived from my magical mind, which I inherited from my family, and cultivated through practice and inspiration.

I create watercolor and mixed media paintings which weave trauma into enchanting representations of the unique affairs experienced by humans. With themes like biodiversity, femininity, trauma, and neurodivergence, my work remains cohesive accompanied by a touch of magic in each piece.

When creating from my emotions becomes overwhelming, I dive into escapism, painting magical worlds, people, and creatures. I have always held a love for fantasy genres and this comes through in my escapist artwork. Influenced by anime, myths and fairy tales, and powerful women which you can see in pieces like Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli Portrait, Rachel Cargel’s Portrait, and Gisselle.

A black and white watercolor painting of a woman with a large handprint over the lower half of her face

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Why á Travers de Jolis Yeux?

 

At some point, I began romanticizing France. Daydreams of turning the things that haunt us into beautiful works of art in a tiny cottage surrounded by a field of wildflowers in the French countryside, a petite woman creates her own world the way she sees it — á Travers de Jolis Yeux — "Through Pretty Eyes".
Unlike the French language, traditional art has always come to me naturally.
Born and raised in south-west Michigan in 1994, I am a mostly self-taught artist. With a consistent art practice since 2018, I study concepts like composition and color through examining other artists’ work like Salvador Dali and Frida Kahlo. 
This has helped me cultivate an ethereal style which combines both loose and detailed watercolor techniques. My burning desire for creative expression drove me to pursue the business of being an artist.
So I launched à Travers de Jolis Yeux at the beginning of 2021 to help dream collectors who are delightedly bold and brazen see their darkness through my lens of creativity.
Watercolor painting done in black and white with a cracked forest green background. The painting depicts anorexia.

Inspired by trauma and neurodivergence, many of my paintings embody the emotions of my personal Narrative through metaphors. Using interesting forms, composition, and strategic colors I create emotional works that reflect the way I felt in the depths of an abusive relationship, suffering an eating disorder, and living with anxiety. Both in their content, as well as the physical presence of each piece, I intend for my paintings to echo the metamorphosis that one experiences when wandering through life.

I'm interested in creating polarities within these works; the contrast between light and dark, the heaviness of the subject matter and the delicate textures that are created by blooming watercolors. Moreover, when creating art, my goal is to help the viewer see their own darkness through the lens of my creativity, welcoming introspection, and improvement.

Each of my pieces begins as a sketch and recently this process is done digitally to test compositions, perfect linework, and plan color placement. The linework is then printed or transferred to watercolor paper where smooth rhythmic strokes define the lines with the designated color. Translucent layers of watercolor are built up to create detail, definition, and depth. I finish my paintings by perfecting the linework and adding highlights as well as final details to the foreground. Occasionally this process includes pens, colored pencils, or gold-leaf.

Everyone needs a little more magic in their life.

So, join my Collectors' Coven where you’ll be enchanted by my sorcery and be the first to see (and claim) my newest pieces!

Galleries & Showcases

Watercolor portrait of jaden smith done in black and white with selective color added, there are flowers sprouting from the edges of the portrait
Jaden Smith’s Portrait

Feature in the Open Theme exhibition hosted by Art Room Gallery Online.

See My Feature Here
A black and white watercolor painting of a woman with a large handprint over the lower half of her face
No One Will Believe You

Featured in Faces 2022 International Jurried painting exhibiton hosted by Camleback Gallery, All Women art exhibit hosted by LightSpaceTime Gallery, and the 5th Figurative exhibiton hosted by Art Show International.

Monochrome red watercolor painting depicting the concept of being Two-Faced. Features one woman painted twice back to back, one is done in a light appealing shade of red and has a "nice" demeanor, the other is painted in a dark shade of red, she is making the "shhhh" motion wile smiling in a way that seems evil.
Two Faced

Featured in “Red” 2023 show hosted by Colors of Humanity Gallery and 5th Figurative exhibition hosted by Art Show International.

A watercolor painting done using only white and red on black paper of a ghostly woman with tall candles melting wax on her shoulders
Gisselle

Featured in “Red” 2023 show hosted by ColorsofHumanity Gallery.

Visit the Gallery