Self Portrait, 1998

Born with a heritage of talented, yet unheralded master craftsmen and artists, Kay Almond Robbins is a recently emerged artist with a quest for individuality. From life's physical and emotional traumas, and perhaps from the depths of her Native American Cherokee lineage, comes a passion and strength that is reflected in the vibrancy of her work.

Following a career in business Kay emerged as an artist in 1997-98. Months of research and experimentation have resulted in a process using gouache and ink that compliments her natural landscapes, working marine vessels and weathered faces. Her rapidly evolving style is evident in paintings which become ever more complex while she reaches for simplicity.

"Once in a while we happen upon one of nature's masterpieces and realize that our own are but temporary pleasures. " -- Kay A. Robbins

An award winning self-taught painter, she seldom searches outside her southern coastal area for the subjects of her art. In the fall of 2000 Kay began studying ceramic arts. Though still a beginner she hopes to someday become an accomplished ceramicist with a focus on sculpture. She currently resides with her husband on the east bank of the Cape Fear River south of Wilmington, North Carolina.

Publications

• The North Carolina Bar Association
  Cover, Annual Meeting, 2002
• The Artist’s Magazine, April 1999
  "Savoring Success: Discover the rewards of taking risks and following dreams"
• Cape Fear Arts Alive, April 2001
  Cover, Premiere Issue

Film Credits

• Summer Catch
      Warner Bros., 2000

Award and Exhibitions

Selected Collections

• U. S. Congressman Mike McIntyre
  Washington DC
  
• Carolina Power & Light Corporation
  Wilmington NC
• Allegacy Federal Credit Union
  Winston-Salem NC
• Central Carolina Bank
  Wilmington NC
• Bald Head Island Corporation
  Southport NC
• University of North Carolina-Wilmington
  Wilmington NC
• Carolina Beach Fire Department
  Carolina Beach NC
• Linda's Ladies Fashions
  Carolina Beach NC
• Barrier Island Restaurant
  Carolina Beach NC

• Wilmington Art Association, 2002
  Annual Spring Show / NC Azalea Festival
  Wilmington, NC
  Martha Smith Brooks, Judge and Juror
  Second Place
  
• Associated Artists of Southport, 2000
  21st Annual July National Exhibition
  Franklin Square Gallery, Southport, NC
  Mary Alice Braukman, Juror/Judge
• Wilmington Art Association, 2001
  Annual Spring Show / NC Azalea Festival
  Wilmington, NC
  Honorable Mention
• Associated Artists of Southport, 2001
  Spring 2001 Show
  Franklin Square Gallery, Southport, NC
  Merit Award
  
• Associated Artists of Southport, 2000
  20th Annual National Exhibition
  Franklin Square Gallery, Southport, NC
  Don Getz, Juror/Judge
  Merit Award
• Wilmington Art Association, 2000
  Annual Spring Show / NC Azalea Festival
  Wilmington, NC
  Charles Sharpe, Judge and Juror
  Color-Q Award
• Associated Artists of Southport, 2000
  Spring 2000 Show
  Franklin Square Gallery, Southport NC
  Honorable Mention
• Associated Artists of Southport, 1999
  Fourth of July National Exhibition
  Franklin Square Gallery, Southport, NC
  Marilyn Hughey Phillis, Juror/Judge
  Purchase Award
  Bald Head Island Corp.

• Wilmington Art Association, 1999
  Annual Spring Show / NC Azalea Festival
  Wilmington, NC
  Charles Sharpe, Judge and Juror
  Third Place
• The Los Angeles Maritime Museum
  Art and the Soul of Sail Training, 1998-99
  Scott Kennedy, Juror
• The Artist’s Magazine 1998 Art Competition
  Marilyn Hughey Phillis, Judge
  Finalist, Experimental Category
• Piney Woods Cultural Heritage Festival, 1998
  Wilmington NC
  Juror’s Award
• Associated Artists of Southport, 1998
  4th of July National Exhibition
  Franklin Square Gallery, Southport, NC
  Louise Cadillac, Judge
  Merit Award
• Associated Artists of Southport, 1998
  Debut of Spring Show
  Honorable Mention
• Wilmington Art Association Spring Show, 1998
  NC Azalea Festival
  Margaret Hall Hoybach, Judge
  Purchase Award, GE Corporation
  Honorable Mention
• Wilmington Art Association Fall Show 1997
  Honorable Mention