My Story
Evoking emotions within the viewer and weaving captivating narratives are integral aspects of Robyn Moon's artistic journey.
Hello, and welcome to my story.
I’m Robyn Moon, an Australian fine artist living in the Noosa Hinterland, Queensland, originally from the coast of Western Victoria. I’ve been painting for around 30 years, largely self-directed, while continually learning through workshops, classes and studying the techniques of artists from earlier centuries.
I’m not quite sure where my love of painting began. Creativity was always around me, but I initially pursued a career in nursing. Perhaps the spark was first lit during a visit to the National Portrait Gallery in London in the 1980s.
Years later, while living in Japan with my two young children, I discovered Sumi-e brush painting and Ikebana. I also found a woman who taught oil painting and asked her, rather boldly, “Can you teach me how to paint portraits?”
Her answer was, “No! You will start with pencil drawings.”
So I did.
Just two lessons in, I had my lightbulb moment: Forget everything I’ve ever studied — this is what I want to do! And I never looked back.
Portraiture and figurative painting became a major part of my artistic journey. I was particularly drawn to the realism and timeless techniques of the Old Masters and Renaissance painters. In 2024, I spent a month at the Angel Academy of Art in Florence, immersed in traditional Renaissance methods of oil portraiture.
A New Direction
After many years of concentrating on portraits and figurative work, I’m now exploring Australian landscapes in a looser, more impressionistic style.
Many are inspired by places I’ve visited and photographed myself — landscapes that have stayed with me because of their light, colour, atmosphere and sense of place.
I’m enjoying the freedom of allowing the paint and brushwork to become more expressive, while still drawing on everything I’ve learned through years of studying traditional techniques.
For me, that is one of the great joys of being an artist — there is always something new to learn, something new to see, and another painting waiting to happen.
Painting remains my escape and my passion. After all these years, I still get excited about picking up a brush.
About Robyn’s Art Studies
Education – Art Studies
My art studies have focused on developing a strong understanding of realism, with particular interest in the techniques and technical expertise of the Old Masters.
I initially commenced a Fine Arts degree, drawn particularly to the study of art history. However, I eventually chose to pursue the areas of art that most closely aligned with my own interests and continued my education through workshops, intensive courses and private study.
Two significant influences on my artistic development have been Daniel E. Greene, renowned New York-based portrait artist and instructor, and Martinho Correia, a Canadian-born contemporary realist artist and educator who teaches in Portugal and Florence, Italy.
Recent Studies
- Professional Artist Masterclass – Building Your Business
7-day intensive with Rod Moore, artist and educator — August 2026 - Impressionism – Figure in the Landscape
5-day intensive with Rod Moore, artist and educator — July 2026 - Traditional Renaissance Portraiture
1-month intensive at the Angel Academy of Art, Florence, Italy — October 2024
Additional Art Studies
- Painting from Photographs
5-week online intensive workshop with Martinho Correia, contemporary realist painter and educator — October–November 2021 - Bouguereau & the Perfect (Oil) Painting Method
5-week online intensive workshop with Martinho Correia— April–May 2021 - Caravaggio Method Workshop (Oil)
5-week online intensive workshop with Martinho Correia— January–February 2021 - Oil Portraiture
4-day online intensive workshop with Martinho Correia — March 2020 - Still Life – Technical Aspects of Lighting and Seeing Forms
2-week intensive workshop in Hobart with Louise Fenely, Adelaide — January 2019 - Drawing the Figure in the Grand Manner – Gesture & Anatomy
Month-long intensive portrait workshop with Martinho Correia, Launceston, Tasmania — November–December 2018 - Contemporary Figure Painting Using Bouguereau’s Method (Oil)
Month-long intensive portrait workshop with Martinho Correia, Launceston, Tasmania — November–December 2018 - Principles of Portrait Drawing
Month-long intensive portrait workshop with Martinho Correia — 2016 - Methods of Traditional and Contemporary Portrait Painting (Oil)
Month-long intensive portrait workshop with Martinho Correia — 2016 - Drawing and Painting Classes
Classes with Leoni Duff and Darren Meader, Launceston, Tasmania — 2015–2016 - Painting and Drawing Classes
Brighton Art Society, Melbourne, studying under various teachers including Effie Bramald, Craig Penny, Clive Sinclair, Agata Lelek and Herman Pekel — 2002–2014 - Drawing, Watercolour and Oil Painting
Various teachers in Tokyo, Singapore and Indonesia — over 10 years - Japanese Sumi-E
Four years of study in Tokyo - Oil Portraiture
Approximately 175 hours of intensive portrait workshops in New York with internationally renowned portrait artist Daniel Greene, undertaken over three years - Fine Arts Degree
Two years of study via Open Learning Australia, Curtin University, Western Australia
Robyn is a member of:
- Portrait Society of America 2024 - current
- Art Renewal Center 2024 - current
- Noosa Open Studios Member, Open Studios Art Trail participant 2021, 2022, 2023
- Royal Queensland Art Society, Petrie Gallery, Brisbane, 2021 - current
- The Butter Factory Gallery, Cooroy, 2021 - current
- The Pomona Railway, Gallery, 2021 - current
- Pastel Society of Australia, 2021 - current
Former memberships:
- The Brighton Art Society, Brighton, Victoria 2004 - 2020
- Brighton Art Society Committee Member 2006- 7, 2007 -8.
- Member of Launceston Art Society Tasmania, 2016- 2019
- Committee Member Launceston Art Society Tasmania, 2017-8
Exhibitions and Awards:
- Participating in Noosa Open Studios, Queensland, Including “Noosa 100” at the Butter Factory, Cooroy, Qld, October 2023
- Participant of “Art Jam” Artists in Action (in residence)1 week, at The Butter Factory, Cooroy, May 2023
- Participant of “Mirror Mirror” International Woman’s week, 2 art works at the Butter Factory, Cooroy, Feb 2023
- Finalist at Salon des Refuses, John Villiers Outback Prize, ‘Wanderers Sunset Gathering’ 2023
- Finalist at Salon des Refuses, Royal Queensland Art Society at Petrie Gallery, Brisbane with ‘StableTable’, October 2022
- Participant of Noosa Open Studios, Queensland, including “Noosa 100” at the Butter Factory, Cooroy Qld, October 2022
- Participant at the Butter Factory, Cooroy, Qld in Eclectica, with 3 art works, 2022
- Finalist of Figurative Art Exhibition, Royal Queensland Art Society at Petrie Gallery, Brisbane with ‘Oh!’ dancer, oil painting on canvas, 2022
- Exhibited at Brisbane Landmarks, Landscapes, Personalities, Petrie Gallery, Brisbane, with ‘Fraser Island Vine’ landscape 2022
- Participant of Noosa Open Studios, Queensland, October 2021
- Participant at the Butter Factory, Cooroy, Qld in Eclectica, with ‘Riya’ 2021
- "Novice Prize" (First time Exhibitor) at the Launceston Art Society inc., Tasmania, Meandering, Meander Valley 'Vital Signs' Art Exhibition, September 2016.
- Exhibited at Warrnambool East Rotary Art Show, Victoria, four art works, Sept 2016. Honourable mention for framing.
- First Prize, for "Dennington Cows", Acquisitive prize for Hodges Real Estate in the Brighton Art Society Annual Show, Victoria. Exhibited four works, November 2014.
- Second Prize Acrylic for "Red Wine!", Warrnambool East Rotary Annual Art Show, Vic, Exhibited 6 works, 2014.
- "Best First Time Exhibitor at Warrnambool" for "Melissa", oil, Rotary Club Art Show, 2007.
- Exhibition at East Warrnambool Rotary Club Art Show, of four art works Nov. 2007.
- "Highly Commended (2nd Prize) Best Oil Portrait or Nude" for "Something Formal", oil, Brighton Art Society Annual Show, Melb, Vic, Nov 2007,
- Exhibition of four art works, Brighton Art Society Annual Show, Nov 2007.
- Exhibition of one work, AGRA, Sept 2007.
- Exhibition of four art works, Brighton Rotary Club Annual Show, August 2007.
- Exhibition of four art works, Brighton Art Society Annual Show, Nov 2006.
- “Best Portrait” for “Michel” pencil drawing – Brighton Art Society Annual Show November 2005.
- Exhibition of four art works, Brighton Art Society Annual Show, 2005.
- First Prize – Brighton Art Society “Coffee” pencil drawing, 2005
- Exhibition of two works in the “Best of Brighton Art Society” at Bayside City Council, Sandringham, “A Quiet Read” pastel , “Kenneth” acrylic on board, 2005
- Best in Show – Highly Commended – “A Quiet Read” pastel, in Exhibition by Brighton Art Society, Exhibition of four works. 2004
- Exhibition 4 works in the Camberwell Rotary Art Show 2004
- Exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, of 18 works, with one other Artist, opened by the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, 2003.
Feel free to contact me regarding purchases or commissioning of artwork. Higher quality images are available on request.