ArtistsNetwork.com 53For the narrative portraits shown
here, Robles asked the models to bring
an item important to them to their
photo shoot. The symbolism she
incorporates into those portraits and
her allegorical paintings might also
involve anything from researching
“I had ideas
and questions
... and the
paintings are
me working
out these
thoughts—not
really to any
conclusion,
but perhaps
through a
stream of
consciousness,
in paint.”
—CAROLYN ROBLESphilosophers to thumbing through books about nature. She
also studies how symbols have been used in art throughout
the ages, but with a critical eye. “Sometimes symbols that
have been used over and over again get stale,” Robles says.
“They may not be the same language people use today.”
She uses Photoshop to compose her ideas, which emerge
from reference photos, color studies and sketches. “Most