Skip to Main Content

Rob Pennino

Inspiring a sense of resilience and positivity

Artist Spotlight Nov. 11, 2024
Shop

Canadian abstract artist Rob Pennino, whose work has been shown worldwide, embraces a philosophy of living in the moment, infusing his art with a profound sense of impermanence and vitality.

Each piece invites viewers on a journey of sensory exploration, inspired by nature’s endless wonders and the vibrant mosaic of human experience. Pennino’s art harnesses the evocative power of colour and form, creating compositions that captivate and engage on a deeply visceral level.

Working primarily with acrylics, Pennino layers mixed media to create texture and adds spray paint for energetic bursts, crafting each piece with distinct techniques.

Rob Pennino
Flow 27
Shop

Your motto is “live in the moment”. How does this philosophy influence your creative process and the artworks you produce?

This philosophy influences my creative process by inspiring me to focus deeply on the present, embracing spontaneity while cherishing the good memories of the past and striving toward the future. It allows me to channel those memories and ambitions into my work, creating pieces that embody the richness of past experiences and future aspirations. This approach helps me capture the raw, fleeting essence of life, making my artwork feel alive, authentic and resonant. By staying in the present, I produce art that reflects genuine, uninhibited expression, connecting with others through shared, momentary experiences.

You describe your art as an invitation to sensory exploration. Can you elaborate on what that means to you and how you convey that experience to your audience?

For me, describing art as an invitation to sensory exploration means creating pieces that go beyond mere visual appeal, delving into layers that provoke emotions, feelings, and imagination. It’s about creating art that draws viewers into a space where they can interact with their senses and memories, triggering emotions and personal interpretations. This approach makes each encounter with my art unique, allowing the audience to explore it from different angles and discover something new each time.

To convey this experience, I incorporate colour contrasts, and dynamic compositions in my work, aiming to create a multidimensional effect. Whether through bold strokes or subtle nuances, my intention is to encourage people to step into a moment of reflection or sensory discovery. It’s about connecting with them on more than one level, inviting them to pause, look deeper, and feel immersed in that shared space.

My goal is to create
a visual experience
that resonates
emotionally,
                  allowing people
                  to pause and feel
                  something beyond
                  the everyday.”
Minimalist 1
Shop

You mention the power of colour and form in your work. How do you choose your colour palette, and what emotions do you aim to evoke through your colour choices?

My approach to choosing a color palette is deeply intuitive, often guided by the emotions or energy I want the piece to convey. I am always on a constant search for colour palettes to pursue and unleash my absolute best.

For example, if I want to evoke calmness, I might lean toward cooler neutral tones, deep blues and soft greens. On the other hand, for paintings that express vitality and joy, I gravitate toward warm, bold hues such as oranges, yellows, and rich reds. The power of color is profound; it speaks to the viewer on a subconscious level. My goal is to create a visual experience that resonates emotionally, allowing people to pause and feel something beyond the everyday

You draw inspiration from nature and everyday beauty. Can you share a specific moment or experience that has significantly influenced one of your pieces?

For me, art is about expressing who I am and how I see our world. The beautiful threads that somehow connects us all. Painting is a true dialogue between myself and the canvas. My inspiration can come from travelling, nature or also from the beauty of emotions of positive thinking. This is why the title of my paintings are for example “Limitless”, “Relentless” and “Positive Pathways”.

One specific moment that influenced my work was an early morning run I took in the forest. As the sun rose, it cast a golden light over the greenery of the trees. Reminding myself to be grateful for the small things that bring joy to our lives. This is where the creativity and title of the painting Minimalist 1 originates. I translated that experience into an abstract piece using subtle brushstrokes to capture the essence of that moment— the promise of a new day. It was a powerful reminder of why I embrace ‘living in the moment’ as my motto, to appreciate the fleeting beauty that surrounds us.

Minimalist 3
Shop

You refer to your art as a “beacon of hope.” What message do you hope viewers take away when they engage with your work?

When I describe my art as a ‘beacon of hope,’ I mean that I want my work to inspire a sense of resilience and positivity. Life is filled with moments of uncertainty, but within each moment lies the potential for growth and renewal. For example I have a collection titled “Flow”. Which is a vibrant collection of abstract paintings that embody the sensation of liquid in motion, achieved through mesmerizing gradients of countless colours. Each piece is a journey, bringing positivity into a state of relentless joy that radiates from the canvas. The fluidity in the artwork mirrors life’s constant changes, celebrating the beauty of evolution and the spectrum of human emotions. This collection invites viewers to immerse themselves in a world where colours flow freely.

Through my art, I aim to remind viewers that beauty and meaning can be found even in the most abstract and complex situations. I hope that when people engage with my pieces, they see a reflection of their own strength and a reminder to cherish the present, embrace challenges, and find light even in darkness. My work is a celebration of the journey—an invitation to look forward with hope and to remember that, despite everything, there is always a reason to keep moving forward.