Visions of a Veterinarian Robin Truelove Stronk, DVM

Robin Truelove Stronk, DVM

Iam happy to report that I have achieved a state where I am now in my “right mind.” Previously, I dwelt primarily in my “left mind” but have been gradually making the migration. I always wanted to be a veterinarian. I also loved to draw, paint, create art. The left side of the brain is the logical, reasoning and organized side and the right brain is creative, the proverbial wild and crazy guy. I have been fortunate in having been able to enjoy both aspects of my interests. I laughingly call myself “The Artist Formerly Known as Veterinarian.” I graduated from Cornell Veterinary School in 1975 and during the 30-year course of my career treated animals of all sizes, shapes, and species. After retirement, I was able to spend more time with my artistic endeavors and have used my experiences in practice to inform my art. Although I paint many subjects, most of them are animals. Whatever catches my eye is fair game for my brushes and pencils. It might be a sleeping cat or a horse galloping across a field or it might be a green glass inkwell. But with animals, it is the story in their eyes that draws me in. And the element of humor is appealing to me. Sometimes it is the painting itself and sometimes it is the title. Sometimes I have a title before I have a mental image of the painting! "The Complaint Dept." Training at the River Gallery School in Brattleboro, VT, and being guided by Ric Campman was lifechanging. I learned how to look at subjects and really see them. Exposure to career artists at the Windham Art Gallery where I was accepted as a member was also a positive influence. I have been represented by various galleries in VT, NH and as far as Costa Rica. Currently, my work is shown at the Gallery at the VAULT in Springfield, Vt, Walpole Artisans Co-op and I look forward to an upcoming event founded in 2012 (River Valley Artisans Tour) by several of the local artists hoping

to expose their work to the public in a new and fun way.

The town of Westmoreland has two wineries. We all got together and decided we could put on an Art and Wine tour like a mini Napa Valley event. For the last 6 years, we have had artists set up in the Summit Winery and Poocham Hill Winery, both indoors and outdoors in tents with wine tastings, art exhibits, and demonstrations, music, and food. It has been a great success and lots of fun (and work!) all around. Patrons get to meet and chat with the artists, make purchases from the makers, see how the work is made in some cases, and make new friends. And taste some great wine! This year we will be there Sept 11 and 12 from 11 - 5 PM.

So I have happily transitioned to the art world without totally leaving my veterinary career behind, have been fortunate to meet a lot of wonderful folks, and have had a great deal of fun.

www.truelovearts.com www.rivervalleyartisans.com

Joanna Young of Hanover caught Ike & Alli chilin' at halftime "Ready for Anything"