Kevin Robinson: Local Renaissance Man

An award-winning commercial photographer, painter and self taught drummer, Kevin Robinson resides in a charming artist's enclave on 25 acres just seconds from Georgetown. His studio tells quite a story.

As a member of an artistic family, Robinson received a drum set from his father for Christmas when he was 15.

"It was an inexpensive 'Blue Sparkler Musketeer' Japanese drum set and I loved it," said Robinson.  

Robinson's father, Clark, is a painter himself. He's from Wilton and is the recipient of The Art Directors Gold Medal. At age 88, he is currently writing his memoirs.  

Robinson studied at the University of Colorado and holds a bachelor's degree in communications and fine arts. In 1981, he had an epiphany and suddenly knew that photography would be his passion.  

As a young apprentice, Robinson returned to Connecticut for Christmas that year and took the opportunity to send 100 flyers to New York City publications. He shortly thereafter moved into New York to pursue his professional career in photography. Along with his roommate Eddie Keating, Pulitzer Prize winner for his photographs of 9/11, he pounded the pavement looking for work.

And work he found.

Some of Robinson's photography clients are Revlon, Pfizer, Doubleday Books, Elite Models and Forbes. He's also had his work featured in numerous photography shows — such as 2010 Picture Hope in Stamford, a group show to help Haitian Earthquake survivors.

As a painter, Robinson studied at William/Munson Proctor Institute, a museum school. His paintings have been shown at the Mark Twain Library and Vertrue Corporation.

Robinson was also the art director of the feature film "I Hate Tom Petty." This project was shot in Connecticut on the RED camera system.

Playing drums for many years with several bands at the  and , Robinson's versatility shines through.  

"I was the original drummer for The Rafter Bats, a souped up bluegrass band," he said. "We later appeared at Gathering of the Vibes, a major yearly music festival in Bridgeport."

Robinson has played jazz and bop with his friend Julian Barry who wrote the screenplay "Lenny." 

"Those jams were always fun and were held at Julian's house in Redding," he said. "I held the drum chair behind the inimitable T.W. Henderson. A process so intense, I felt my soul had melted and been annealed."

Robinson's also jammed with a slew of other musicians.

"I studied drums with Tyger McNeal who imparted a bit of his magic touch on me," said Robinson. "I also played with Sea Monkeys, Hipster Hotel and most recently in Right Stuff with Tony Bocchetta on guitar and J.R. Robinson who came from NYC to rap, rhyme and sing."

Robinson specializes in provocative environmental and individual portraiture. Currently, he is working on a book project which explores the world of tattoos. He is having a solo photography show in Gettysburg, Penn. on Feb. 10, which will include 23 tattoo images. For more information seekevinrobinsonphotography.com.