Throughout September and October, we will be hosting HERE NOW AND WHY NOT ON CANVAS an exhibition of portraiture from the artist and Herefordshire farmer Robert K Watkins. Admission is free but donations may be made to St. Michael's Hospice.
Calling himself "a local yokel", having been born and lived all his life in Herefordshire, Robert has always wanted to be an artist since attending Hereford College of Art after Hereford Cathedral School.
After a not too distinguished career in ceramics, his father, the late Bill Watkins MBE, told him it was time to stop "p***ing about" and take up farming, whereupon he went to Writtle Agricultural College in Essex.
Having married his sweetheart Karen, Robert then farmed for the next 35-40 years. He was as happy as a sandboy, growing a huge number of potatoes and sugar beet and loving every minute of every day. Although sport was another important part of his life, he played rugby for Pontypool, Hereford and Luctonians, as well as 2nd team football for Hereford United, Art was always at the front of his mind.
Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and John Singer Sargent are Robert’s heroes and when his daughter went to Florence to be trained in portraiture at the very eminent Charles H. Cecil Studios, she said to him "You can go Dad – there are lots of old people there". Seizing the moment, he and Karen went to live for a month in Santo Spirito Square. Robert adored his lessons in the famous studio on the bank of the River Arno. No stranger to a hard work ethic, he spent 8 hours every day for a month at his easel.
Upon his return to Lyde Arundel, Robert created an artist studio in one of his barns and hasn’t looked back. Having painted on and off for the last 15 years, he has decided, aged 72, to make a new, serious effort to paint (possibly something to do with leaving the EU and having no acreage subsidy anymore)! He is hoping that this exhibition will stimulate interest in his work and lead to some commissions - he has just completed his first: Isinglass, winning the Derby in 1893.
Rob says, “If you have ever toyed with the idea of having a painting of that house, your wife, husband, child or the view of your farm, shoot, golf club or garden, then please get in touch with me, commission price to be discussed.”
Get in touch with Robert Watkins on 01432 354507 [email protected]
