Projects — Robin Gnarly | Beyond the Canvas

Ongoing · with Rutger Muller

Different Mind Therapy

Born in lockdown, when we were all forced to look within. Tools for meditation and relaxation, built with music producer Rutger Muller — a platform for spirituality in the broadest sense of the word. The YouTube channel is filled and growing. We're looking for help — cuckook us if that's you.

Coming · big one

ma. - ma.

māmā [Hawaiian] — fast, nimble, swift of movement. Light of weight; eased of pain, ache, or distress. To lighten, as a load; to cheer. And: mama, mother.

One little word, three meanings — speed, lightness, and mother. That's the whole project in a nutshell.

THIS ONE'S GONNA BE BIG. MORE INFO ASAP.

Silly Robin: finished · 4 more brewing

The Books

Rainbowboy was born in rehab. My therapist said I reminded her of Le Petit Prince and handed me the book — the only book I've ever finished reading, and I read it in one go. Rainbowboy isn't my version of the little prince. He was my process of healing. Art supplies weren't exactly part of the program: I bought them secretly, and when the materials ran out, the braai delivered — I finished him with charcoal straight off the BBQ.

After that it went hard. Silly Robin — the adventures of Robin het Roodborstje and friends like Slibber de Slak and Sjang de Slang — is finished: the first story with illustrations I've completed since I was about seven. Four more books are waiting for the final sauce.

Pencil sketches of Robin het Roodborstje, Slibber de Slak and Sjang de Slang by Robin Gnarly — The beginnings — straight from the smuggled sketchbook.

Rainbowboy drawing — helicopter beanie kid flying through rainbow clouds, by Robin Gnarly — Rainbowboy, born on paper.

Robin het Roodborstje as a full-colour paper collage, scissors and glue on the table, by Robin Gnarly — Robin het Roodborstje in full-colour collage — from Silly Robin, the finished first book.

Rainbowboy on canvas — charcoal figure with rainbow eyes under a speckled rainbow arc, by Robin Gnarly — Rainbowboy on canvas — charcoal straight off the braai.