With a news career spanning 30-plus years, Robin Marsh also excels working with other media, specifically acrylics on canvas (and Diet Coke, applied between sips and mixed with charcoal as a stain). Marsh’s vibrant, abstract paintings have provided her a creative and spiritual outlet—she incorporates a Bible verse into each one. They’ve also become an effective way to fundraise, with donated pieces raising more than $300,000 for local nonprofits. Marsh recently shared more with us about her career, art and multi-media world.
Evie Holzer: When did you begin painting?
Robin Marsh: “It really came about from the pandemic. Just like everybody else, I was feeling isolated … I started watching people paint on YouTube, and I was fascinated by what’s called ‘Dutch pour’ painting. You pour all this paint kind of in a circle, and you get a hair dryer, and you fan it out, and it becomes this beautiful piece of artwork; I just fell in love with it … I felt like a storyteller on a canvas instead of a storyteller on the screen. My husband really encouraged me. He was like, ‘You’re really very talented, but I think you need to start painting with paint brushes, not a hair dryer.”
EH: How did you first connect with the Toby Keith Foundation?
RM: “Before Toby Keith passed away, I wondered if I could do a story with him … We were supposed to have a limited time with him, 15 or 20 minutes. We were there for three hours. He shared so much about his faith. After he passed, we shared that long-form interview, commercial free. I think it was such a blessing to everyone, just to hear him in his own words … The foundation reached out and asked if I would be willing to do a piece of artwork for the Toby Keith Foundation at their big annual fundraising event.
EH: You created and donated two pieces to that event. What happened afterward?
RM: “Both of those paintings went for close to $65,000. It just kind of opened a floodgate for me to realize that my art might be able to make a difference and help raise money for great charities.”
EH: You also support the Alzheimer’s Association. Tell me about that.
RM: “I emcee the Alzheimer’s walk for the greater Oklahoma City area every year, because my mom passed away from Alzheimer’s in 2022 … I did a piece [for them], and I was totally blown away. The lady from [the Alzheimer’s Association] called me and said, ‘I’m so grateful. Your artwork brought in $46,000.’ I literally texted her back, ‘Do you mean $4,600?’ And she said, ‘No, $46,000.’ I just looked at my phone in shock.”
EH: What do you want others to know about your work?
RM: “You’re never too old to learn. I started painting in my 50s … I think if you’re alive, no matter what age, you have a lot to give and never discount the gifts that God has given you.”
EH: When you reflect on your years at News 9, what comes to mind?
RM: “I’m truly just a girl from Lawton who has proven hard work can pay off … When David Griffin hired me 31 years ago, he changed my life. He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, and I will forever be grateful to the Griffin family for that.”
