McDonnell continues investigations through oil on canvas that capture the idea of constant change on a conceptual and physical level. Her vibrant palette and bold, gestural brushstrokes evoke intense feelings of energy and movement. In these paintings, McDonnell applies multiple layers of pigment in complex hues of oranges, browns, reds and greens to create active, viscous surfaces. By adding and scraping away paint, McDonnell's work quickly moves between areas of thick, opaque and sheer translucent layers of color. Her unique surfaces seamlessly transition from foreground to background as she deftly balances spontaneous gesture and formal composition in these colorful and dynamic works.

Robin McDonnell was born in New York, New York. She received her B.A. from San Francisco State University in 1982, a B.F.A. from the California College of Arts and Crafts in 1994 and an M.F.A. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1996. Her work has been exhibited in numerous alternative spaces throughout the Bay Area, and she is currently a Visiting Artist at Mills College. This is McDonnell's second solo show with Brian Gross Fine Art.