Robin is beaming as we select our favourite table at La French Taste. Next door, at OTTO, an exhibition of her work is running until the end of December. 

A local renaissance has been taking place in the area in the wake of Ed Donszelmann’s opening of OTTO in 2016. The opening of places like the Vintage Fork and, more recently, La French Taste, was the answer to many prayers! Events like the annual 94 Street Extravaganza built on earlier local block parties, there’s now an art/book box at 11232-94 St, and local community activists, feral gardeners, and artists like Robin Light continue to build up this wonderful little village of hope.

She has lived in the hood since 2018 and warns that local residents might see her creeping their home or alley in search of inspiration. We talked about her work and her future in this community:

How did the show at OTTO come about?

RL: I’ve known Ed for years and eat regularly at OTTO. One day I showed him a painting of his restaurant garden, and gave it to him for the restaurant. He and I began talking about doing a show and, since then, I’ve done two more paintings of his restaurant that are included in the display. I was going to focus on local gardens in the show, but wound up including favourite local houses, trees, and alleys as well. 

What’s the show’s main vibe?

RL: In addition to highlighting the neighbourhood I love, I wanted to create a pastoral, nostalgic vibe. I included a large piece in the show that features an old-fashioned tire swing suspended from a tree. The landscape suggests a carefree summer. We live with challenges in our neighbourhood, but we also bring our hopes and dreams here. There are new alley gardens, green spaces, renovated pocket parks, cherished heritage trees, and native plant boulevards. My work comes from the joy of seeing all that and wanting to help inspire it too.

What media do you like using?

RL: Most of the works in the OTTO show are in oils. I like painting on canvas or cradled birch and usually prefer smaller-sized works. They’re more easily portable – and affordable! But lately I’ve been using Posca marker as well as my oils. One of the show pictures of OTTO’s garden is done in Posca. The markers use acrylic paint and I love the lightness and flow of working with them. But the downside is the limit on colour choices. Unlike oils, the marker colours can’t be blended. On the other hand, they’re super portable for sketching trips and plein air work.  And I have a dream that after winning the lottery I can buy a pottery kiln and start doing pottery sculptures. Any art patrons out there with a spare kiln?

Do you take commissions?

RL: (Laughing) Yes, as you know! I’ve done several paintings of people’s houses and/or gardens on commission. One of the most popular things about doing that is the way I can add “aspirational” features like window boxes that you haven’t gotten around to adding yet. And of course I can add a beloved family pet to the scene. We can also move time and space by painting all your flowers in bloom at the same time! 

Lately I’ve also started doing garage murals on commission. Our local alleys can be challenging places with johns cruising around or drug dealers plying their wares. There’s lots I could say about what more the city could be doing about repairs, lighting – so many things in addition to the well known policing debates. But as an artist I can add colour, whimsy, and an invitational vibe to my neighbours’ alley gardens and alley parties. A garage mural brings a huge splash of colour to the alley and puts a smile on almost everyone’s face!

What’s next for you?

RL: This is a really busy season for craft sales and I like to support local initiatives. Since the show opened, I’ve done the AGA art market and of course OTTO is hosting its own market on Dec. 9 and 10 where you can shop for holiday gifts, including my own stuff! I should add that my work is also available through Instagram and you’ll find me several times a year at Alberta Avenue venues like the Carrot, Kaleido, and Deep Freeze.