When: 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 12 (opening reception during the 2nd Friday ArtWalk); 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26 (workshop with Robyn Drake); 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday-Saturday (gallery hours)

Where: Emerald Art Center, 500 Main Street, Springfield

Details: The Emerald Art Center is pleased to present Untamed and Indomitable, an exhibition of recent works by California-based painter Robyn Drake, on view through September 26, 2025. A public reception will be held on Friday, September 12, during Springfield’s monthly 2nd Friday Art Walk. In conjunction with the exhibition, Drake will also lead an alla prima floral painting workshop on Friday, September 26, from 12:00–4:00 PM.

Drake’s paintings move fluidly from expressive seascapes to vibrant florals, poetic still life’s, moody nudes and figures, and symbolic portraits of animals. Her Andalusian horse, Patrón, and her raven, Hector, both serve as muses and recurring subjects—symbols of freedom and loyalty. Each canvas is built with attention to mathematical structures as scaffolding for emotional dynamism.

Based in Half Moon Bay, California, Drake brings a lifetime of technical skill and lived experience to her practice. A seasoned equestrian and professional saddler, she balances a dual life as artist and horsewoman, traveling frequently to Portugal and Santa Fe, NM, in pursuit of both creative projects and equestrian pursuits.

Raised on a farm in Iowa, Drake credits her upbringing for shaping her approach. “Life there was unforgiving, and in that way, it shaped me to walk this path—untamed, indomitable, determined, and high-risk tolerant.”

Her work is known for its luminous surfaces, strong color harmonies, and a deep engagement with symbolism and emotional realism.

Workshop: Alla Prima Florals with Robyn Drake – This 4-hour session introduces participants to alla prima (“wet-on-wet”) oil painting, with a focus on floral composition. Emphasis will be placed on gesture, value structure, and simplified forms. Students may also experiment with an optional oil-and-wax emulsion medium developed by the artist for added surface texture and clarity.

Cost: $50 for EAC Members / $60 for Non-Members (All levels welcome. Space is limited to 12 participants.)

Exhibition Catalog – A limited-edition mini catalog will be available for purchase for $6. It includes eight selected works, a personal artist statement, and an interview with Robert Canaga, Eugene-based artist and Emerald Art Center board member.

Information: https://www.emeraldartcenter.org/