ABOUT ME... THE ARTIST ROBIN LEE BECKER

Raised in suburban Philadelphia.

Life-long special bond with all dogs!

Prefers the woods to sidewalks. Loves the colors, light, and smell of autumn. 

Likes patterned stones, heart rocks, rusted washers, and peeling paint better than sparkly diamonds, symmetry or predictable beauty.

Created my first jewelry business, “Nomadic Necklaces” while in high school.

Graduated from Kirkland College (now Hamilton College) with a major in Visual Art, concentrating in painting and photography. Kirkland offered me the gift of confidence to succeed, both as a woman and an artist, in the world awaiting me.

Moved to New York City. (Greenpoint, Brooklyn). My studio was the largest room in my 4 room railroad flat. I continued painting, sold many pieces, participated in group shows, did some commissioned work, and also managed a large conservation art framing company in SOHO. This was an exciting big experience that had me designing the framing for many well-known artists, galleries and individuals.

Enrolled in my first night-time jewelry making class at The Crafts Student League in Manhattan. I was so lucky to meet my teacher, who became my mentor. My creative path was driven to change. I continued at the CSL, assisted my mentor, and taught workshops in poly form (FIMO and Sculpey). Prior to studying at the CSL, I sold poly form jewelry as a weekend street artist in SOHO. I was one of the pioneers of jewelry making in that medium, but left it behind to focus on the metal work. After a number of years having studied at the CSL as well as The Jewelry Arts Institute, I was ready to return to some woods.

I moved to bucolic western Massachusetts, and set up my studio. Here I create my designs full time, making mixed metal jewelry for people and bejeweled tags for dogs, as well as unique commissioned or gifted art pieces. Here I can have a dog, take great walks, play indoor and outdoor pickleball, have culture within driving distance, and snow or colorful leaves right out my window.

My dog tag, as well as a couple of my heart pins were featured in the “Hot Line” section of the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine in 1998.

My work has been included in metal work exhibitions and represented by many galleries throughout the United States. My very first account, Zephyr Gallery, still sells my work, having represented me for twenty five years!