Rising Stars: Meet Robie Benve of Columbus, OH

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robie Benve

Hi Robie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve moved twice in my life, each time unexpectedly and driven by love. These moves brought about significant changes in my life and career. Now, in my third phase of life, I am an artist.
My first chapter began in Italy, where I was born and raised in a small town near Venice. I earned an MBA from the University of Venice while working in my family’s shoe-retail business.
The second chapter took me to Frederick, MD. Moving overseas was challenging with a new continent, language, and lifestyle to navigate. Fortunately, my MBA and business experience made it relatively easy to find a job. Newly married to my husband Vincenzo (Enzo) Coppola, we started a family and had two children while working full-time. I spent 10 years with the Department of Defense, initially as a financial counselor for soldiers, then in technology.
Enzo’s career as a scientist brought us to Columbus, OH, where I am now living my third life as an artist and the art coordinator at the OSU Faculty Club. Did I want to move? Not initially. But when Enzo was offered an academic position at The Ohio State University, I was captivated by Columbus and couldn’t say no for long.
In hindsight, this move was the best thing that could have happened to me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Leaving my family behind in Italy has been one of the toughest challenges. We originally planned to return after one year, but 25 years later, we are still in the USA. Each move required me to adjust and adapt, focusing on making the best of each situation, whether I liked it or not.
Through all these changes, my love for art, especially painting, remained constant. Even when I couldn’t find time to create, the deep emotional response to seeing masterpieces and the inner drive to create my own interpretations stayed with me.
Everyone was surprised when I began painting every day between jobs, but I wasn’t. I always knew I had a vocation for art, and finally having the time to paint felt like bliss. At 40, I embraced my passion for art, aware that I had many years to catch up compared to those who started younger. I told myself, “If I’m going to do this, I have to do it seriously and work hard to catch up in practice and knowledge.”
Since then, I have painted thousands of pieces and learned a lot through classes and self-study. It’s amazing to look back and see how much I’ve grown as an artist.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My love for the impressionists is evident in my passion for color and exploration of color. Repetition kills my inspiration, so I constantly experiment with new techniques and concepts.
My work is known for being colorful and textural, with subjects ranging from landscapes to cityscapes and sizes varying from tiny canvases to large ones, depending on what inspires me at the moment. My pieces are recognizable for their bright colors and patterns created with stencils that I cut myself.
My latest body of work, called “Awaken,” is a series of landscape paintings inspired by my sensitivity to environmental issues. I use a distinctive technique that combines acrylics, inks, and papers on canvas to capture the tapestry of our surroundings—the subtleties of color and light, and the ever-shifting dance of forms and textures. This series was featured in a solo show at Marcia Evans Gallery, which represents me, in November 2023. I aim to capture the fleeting moments within the landscape that inspire awe and a sense of unbreakable connection with the natural world, hoping to motivate viewers to actively safeguard the environment.
It feels like a dream when people love my work, buy it, galleries exhibit it, and judges award it. Such a blessing!

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
When we moved to Columbus in 2010, I committed to painting every day and studying to improve my skills. While learning the theory is important, nothing accelerates improvement more than dedicating thousands of hours at the easel and painting countless square feet of canvas. This kind of dedication and hard work has been crucial to my growth as an artist.
Columbus boasts an amazing art scene. I make a point to attend art openings and artist talks to find inspiration and to meet and support other artists. Each show opening is a celebration of creativity and a place where creatives meet for great conversations.
In Columbus, there is strong support for artists and the arts. Being part of such an art-oriented community has been a true blessing. I’m constantly inspired by the amazing creativity I see around me. It’s also fantastic to have access to resources and opportunities like the Greater Columbus Arts Council Artist Grants, which I received in 2023, 2022, and 2019.
Being an artist has also enhanced my role as the art coordinator at the OSU Faculty Club. It allows me to connect with artists and understand their perspectives. I love helping others succeed and celebrating their achievements.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Robiebenve.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robiebenve/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobieBenveArt/