Robin Ragin
Robin Ragin, Board No. 1
"My mother taught me how to see. We drew panthers and rabbits from her college drawing books. She painted autumn landscapes and family portraits while I played with pencils. Ours was a military life, and we grew up in big cities and small towns. Summer days and holidays gave me golden childhood times at the family farm, drawing horses and cows and my grandmother’s beloved chickens.
"When my father wasn’t flying missions around the world, we could always find him building something in the basement or the garage. He built furniture for our house and go-karts for his children. He let us help him restore an antique airplane and then he taught us how to fly. He could repair or restore anything. My favorite place was working alongside my father in his workshop. He taught me how to care for generations of hand tools, and the importance of planning ahead for each phase of work. He taught me the value of giving new life to a relic. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was my father that introduced me to assemblage.
"My transient lifestyle continued through the college years, as I moved from Missouri to Texas to Maryland and back again. I put myself through college, working full and part-time jobs to fund my fine art studies. I built my curriculum on every drawing class, design studio, sculpture class and art history course I could fit into my schedule………I knew I wanted a life making works of art.
"In Dallas I had the good fortune of meeting artist David McManaway, and when he walked into my cramped, object-filled studio, he offered me the opportunity to work with him in his studio. For 15 years he was a powerful mentor and remarkable friend to me. Our hours working in the studio were truly symbiotic, always followed by a cup of coffee. It was David who nurtured my ability to see. I miss our spirited arguments and lively exchange of ideas. I miss his colorful stories and temper tantrums. But he will always be with me.
"It was the confluence of these gifted people that created the artist that I am today. They are responsible for giving me the tools to do this work.
"I just keep the brushes clean."
- Robin Ragin
Curriculum Vitae
BORN: 1955 St. Louis, MO
EDUCATION: 1973-1975 Harford College, Baltimore, MD Fine Art Studies
1977-1978 UCLA, Los Angeles, CA Interior Design Studies
1979-1980 Richland College, Dallas, TX Fine Art Studies
1984-1985 Richland College, Dallas, TX Fine Art Studies
1987-1989 University of MD College Park, MD Fine Art Studies
APPRENTICE: 1995-2010 David McManaway, Dallas, TX
GROUP EXHIBITIONS: 1997 Valley House Gallery
“Texas Natural Wonders”
1998-2000 McKinney Avenue Contemporary
“Annual Member Exhibition”
2000 Craighead Green Gallery
“New Texas Talent”
2001 Dallas Visual Art Center
‘‘My Piece of the Wall”
2002 Dallas Center for Contemporary Art
“Exposed”
2009 Women’s Museum Dallas
“Art For The Bridge”
2002-2013 McKinney Avenue Contemporary
“Annual Member Exhibition”
2013 RO2 Art
“Chaos”
2013 Ro2 Art at Fort Worth Community Arts Center
"Texas Art Now"
SOLO EXHIBITION 2013 McKinney Avenue Contemporary
“Robin Ragin: Homage to a Mentor”
CORPORATE 1988 Arthur Andersen, Baltimore, MD
COMMISSIONS 1989 Piper & Marbury Attorneys, Baltimore, MD
1992 ABBA International, Dallas, TX
1994 Springfield Corporate Offices, Atlanta, GA
1995 Jack Tar Corporate Offices, Dallas, TX
2001 Heckmann Architects, San Rafael, CA
2002 Drs. Bourland & Ganaraj, Presby Hospital, Dallas, TX
2002 Gilda’s Club, Dallas, TX
EDUCATION: 1973-1975 Harford College, Baltimore, MD Fine Art Studies
1977-1978 UCLA, Los Angeles, CA Interior Design Studies
1979-1980 Richland College, Dallas, TX Fine Art Studies
1984-1985 Richland College, Dallas, TX Fine Art Studies
1987-1989 University of MD College Park, MD Fine Art Studies
APPRENTICE: 1995-2010 David McManaway, Dallas, TX
GROUP EXHIBITIONS: 1997 Valley House Gallery
“Texas Natural Wonders”
1998-2000 McKinney Avenue Contemporary
“Annual Member Exhibition”
2000 Craighead Green Gallery
“New Texas Talent”
2001 Dallas Visual Art Center
‘‘My Piece of the Wall”
2002 Dallas Center for Contemporary Art
“Exposed”
2009 Women’s Museum Dallas
“Art For The Bridge”
2002-2013 McKinney Avenue Contemporary
“Annual Member Exhibition”
2013 RO2 Art
“Chaos”
2013 Ro2 Art at Fort Worth Community Arts Center
"Texas Art Now"
SOLO EXHIBITION 2013 McKinney Avenue Contemporary
“Robin Ragin: Homage to a Mentor”
CORPORATE 1988 Arthur Andersen, Baltimore, MD
COMMISSIONS 1989 Piper & Marbury Attorneys, Baltimore, MD
1992 ABBA International, Dallas, TX
1994 Springfield Corporate Offices, Atlanta, GA
1995 Jack Tar Corporate Offices, Dallas, TX
2001 Heckmann Architects, San Rafael, CA
2002 Drs. Bourland & Ganaraj, Presby Hospital, Dallas, TX
2002 Gilda’s Club, Dallas, TX