Meet Robin Berning | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Robin Berning and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robin, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
The end goal for me is to build a legacy through my art and design that outlives me — creating work that not only transforms spaces but also inspires and uplifts communities. By the end of my career, I want to be recognized as an artist whose installations and designs brought people together, sparked conversation, and honored resilience, sustainability, and human connection.

Professionally, I hope to establish a studio-gallery that serves both as my creative home and as a platform for other artists, especially women, to be represented and supported. I want to have a body of work that ranges from public installations to intimate commissions, each carrying the same thread of storytelling and transformation.

Ultimately, I want to be able to look back and know that I used my gifts to leave the world more beautiful, more connected, and more inspired than I found it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is rooted in fiber and mixed media, blending traditional textile techniques with architectural awareness and contemporary storytelling. What sets me apart is my ability to transform natural and reclaimed materials into large-scale installations that feel both powerful and intimate. My work isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about resilience, healing, and connection. Whether it’s an interactive wing installation, a woven landscape, or a sculptural light piece, each creation invites people to see themselves and their surroundings in a new way.

One of the things I am most proud of is being commissioned by NASCAR and Phoenix Raceway for the Grand Championship Race Weekend — a project that pushed me creatively and allowed me to share my work with thousands of people. I’m also proud that I’ve stayed true to my values of sustainability and storytelling, even when that path wasn’t the easiest.

Getting here professionally has been anything but easy. There were financial obstacles, moments of self-doubt, and times when I questioned whether my voice mattered. I overcame those challenges by leaning on mentors and supporters, staying rooted in my vision, and reminding myself that growth comes from being uncomfortable. Each knot, each stitch, and each risk has been part of a larger lesson: perseverance, authenticity, and courage will always carry you forward.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that my work is bigger than “decor.” It’s about creating art that transforms spaces, uplifts communities, and gives people an experience they remember. My story is one of weaving resilience into form — and that’s what I hope people take away when they encounter my art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit for a week, I’d want them to experience the heart and soul of Arizona the way I see it — a mix of culture, food, art, and those unforgettable desert landscapes.

Day 1: We’d start in Old Town Scottsdale with a stroll through the galleries, then grab dinner at FnB, which highlights Arizona’s local farmers and winemakers.

Day 2: A morning hike up Piestewa Peak or Camelback Mountain, followed by well-earned tacos at Diego Pops. That evening, we’d head to Crescent Ballroom in downtown Phoenix for live music and late-night bites.

Day 3: A day trip to Sedona for red rock views and a little energy recharge. We’d stop at Tlaquepaque Arts Village, then enjoy dinner at Mariposa overlooking the red cliffs.

Day 4: Explore Roosevelt Row for murals, street art, and quirky shops, then lunch at Urban Fraiche Lifestyle. We’d end the night with craft cocktails at Bitter & Twisted.

Day 5: A slower day — brunch at Hash Kitchen, browsing Desert Botanical Garden, and dinner at The Mission for upscale Latin cuisine.

Day 6: A road trip south to Tucson to explore its UNESCO-recognized food scene, starting with Mexican cuisine on 4th Avenue and visiting the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Day 7: Wrap it up with a relaxing afternoon in Cave Creek at Janey’s Bodega & Coffeehouse — music, local flavor, and yes, a chance to snap a photo with one of my wing installations. It’s the perfect full-circle way to show how Arizona blends community, creativity, and natural beauty.

By the end of the week, they’d see exactly why I love calling this place home — it’s vibrant, welcoming, and endlessly inspiring.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I try to notice everything around me, because noticing our surroundings is so important for growth. I never take anything for granted, and I believe every experience and every person we cross paths with can shape us in some way.

First, I want to give tribute to all the artists who came before me — those who had the courage to take the leap, share their art, and allow themselves to be vulnerable. They subjected themselves to criticism and sometimes negativity, yet their bravery continues to inspire me. Without their example, I may never have found the strength to put my own work into the world.

There are also a couple of people who have forever impacted my life and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone when I wanted to stop. Sheree Clark, Midlife Courage Coach – Fork in the Road, always knew exactly what I needed to hear and pushed me to be more than I believed I could be. And my “knight in shining amour,” and biggest fan, Ozzie Sorlino, has been my steady rock — always believing in me and supporting me without hesitation.

I would not be where I am today without the encouragement, mentorship, love, and belief from these individuals family, friends and the broader community of artists who paved the way.

Website: robin@robinberningartist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/robinberningartist/

Twitter: @robinberningartist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robin.berning.249743/