Click
here to read story online
Robbi
Firestone’s portraits capture the spirit within
Victoria Becker
Published on: October 16, 2008
Two things are true about Robbi Firestone. One is that most
people who meet her for the first time do not forget her.
The second is that her portraits have the same effect, making
her one of our best known and most sought after artists in
Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest today.
When Firestone sits across from you she takes you in with
large green eyes as if preparing to paint a portrait of this
moment. However, it is Firestone who commands attention whether
she is in a “wife-beater” T-shirt, pinning her
hair up, or in formal attire playing celebrity at the esteemed
Poncho Gala, auctioning a portrait as the featured artist
in Seattle.
Several years ago she was living in Los Angeles, managing
an entertainment company and starring in commercials. At that
time she had an offer she couldn’t refuse to come to
the Pacific Northwest. Knowing only one person here she fearlessly
left her home and started brand new digs in Tacoma.
It’s not the first time Firestone did what most would
call a scary proposition. When she was afraid of the water
she decided to take diving lessons in shark-infested waters
in Turks and Caicos. When a pickpocket stole her friend’s
wallet, she chased him down New York City streets, threw him
against a wall and impersonated a cop until the real ones
got there. She skydives, adventure travels and takes big life
leaps when fear rears its ugly head.
Firestone is also a businesswoman to be reckoned with. “Most
artists hang out only with other artists,” she explains.
“I hang out with artists and successful business people
to learn from them. I know my art viscerally.”
Her business plan includes tithing 5 percent to a charity
of her client’s choice and 5 percent to one of her choice.
When asked why she charges so much, she didn’t bat an
eye. “I love that question. Today I charge $10,000 per
person in a portrait. It is inexpensive considering my friend
in Geneva just paid $2,000,000 to have his wife’s portrait
done by Julian Schnabel.
“My portraits include a Spirit Capture – a synopsis
of how my client contributes to the world. It is a calligraphic
stream of consciousness, scripted into the composition.”
Each portrait is designed for the client’s home down
to the beautiful paper backing. The painting is wrapped and
presented like a gift.
In order to prepare for the client sitting, Firestone spends
time meditating the day before. Sometimes she goes to a spa,
does yoga or visits a sacred place. The whole time painting
is spent chatting with her subject. “During our time
my client feels fully accepted, honored and cherished.”
Firestone was educated at New York’s prestigious Parson’s
School of Design and Fashion Institute of Technology. She
paints Fortune 500 CEOs, politicians and celebrities. She
remembers being a teenager in a small, roach-ridden apartment
in New York City, flirting with poverty, vowing never to return
to such conditions.
Playing the celebrity at the Poncho Gala in Seattle this summer
and matched with Dale Chihuly, it doesn’t look like
Firestone will be revisiting those days any time soon. Her
work will appear at the esteemed Agape International Galleries
in Los Angeles Nov. 8-Jan. 26, 2009.
