I have had questions about by involvement in music over the years. I did have a publishing/ recording  deal with Dovepace in 1987 but before that I played with Spandau Ballet.
Back in 1977 three friends from Ampthill in Bedfordshire formed a band and called it 'Spandau Ballet'. After Art Foundation courses they went to London to seek fame and fortune. To fund their band they worked as bus boys at Virgin Records club in SW1 called 'The Venue'. In 1979 they were asked to support The Softies at a small gig in Islington called ' The Hope & Anchor' actually a famous landmark on the punk/rock circuit. 
So, on the evening of May 6th 1979 'Spandau Ballet' played their first Live show to a packed audience of about 30 or so! We took it very seriously and thought that the gigs would pour in. However life does not work that way. A few months later another band called Spandau Ballet appeared and they had a bit more luck.... You figure it out.
If we had registered our band's name there would not have been a string of hits under the new pretenders, who by way , lived round the corner from the Hope. Hey Ho that's how it goes but we did record a few tunes all be it rough at the edges have a listen and mourn our lost millions of fans and cash. On May the 6th we are planning to meet up at the Hope and Anchor. Dave the bassist went on to join The Passions. Mike and I followed Art however I did Tour Japan & play Tokyo dome in front of 65,000 in 1994 at Avex Rave. The Prodigy were also on the bill. I continue to write record and paint to this day. RIP Keith, great Lad.

David Barratt has released a book covering the history of the name you can find info on the Spandau One Twitter page
​https://twitter.com/SpandauOne

I have been lucky enough over the past 10 years to be involved from time to time with the Childrens Christmas Wishlist Charity. Craig and his faithful team have raised much needed funds for Children in hospital needing something to cheer them up. CCWL put smiles back on faces a very large part of anyone getting better in my view. They need all the donations they can get and It was great to see that Craig has organised the 2020 Everest Expedition with World famous boxer Glen McCrory. A couple of quid donated to the crowd funded project would be much appreciated and thank you so much for your generosity and your time. Let's make these kids "Smile for a while" more info.....
Link To Crowdfunding page below.
https://www.gofundme.com/glenn-mccrorys-everest-summit-expedition-in-2020

#everest #charityclimb #GlenMcCrory #CCWL #charity #crowdfunding

Spring time came and went we are now into British Summer Time and you know what that means. Majors and the chance of getting to see those elusive European Stars on home soil! That is provided you were very lucky to get a ticket for the 148th Open at Portrush. Other rare opportunities to see your favourites include 
The Irish Open takes place at Lahinch G C, The Scottish Open at North Berwick , the Betfred Brit Masters and the BMW at Wentworth now moved to the late summer date of Sept 19th - 22nd.
Next up, 'The Masters' on the 11th of April with a whopping $10,000,000 plus  purse! If I'd only gone to the driving range instead of Art School.

I was looking through the signed portraits yesterday, I have kept some in my art rack and it is amazing how one can be transported back in time by viewing them. You remember the tournament, day, state of play, the player and their demeanour, the weather, the rush when they were signing it, how it looked in the bright sunlight and many other thoughts. This is the heritage that travels with the painting, so many of my golf portraits and landscapes out there with people I don't even know. The painting continues to mean something else for each person that owns or sees it, the portrait or landscape creating new memories wherever it goes. The wonderful thing is that all of my work started with an idea, my references and sketches, then the first stroke of my  brush kicked off the whole journey. I may not be able to share the prize fund at the Masters but I get great joy from many experiences gained while creating original golf art heritage. 

#golf #heritage #art #golfers #golfing #paintings #ContempoaryArt
www.robinsongolfart.com

If you are one of the people that have emailed me over the last 11 months asking for less expensive options for owning my art. First off, thanks for the major compliment and secondly the portraits are available - as prints - Now  20% off in the Jan sale!

#ArtSale #Prints #Golf #Golfing

News in Jan 2019

Just completed two portraits of the talented Danish golfer Lasse Jensen.
Great to see that Padraig Harrington has been made the 2020 Ryder Cup Captain. Well deserved. I was thrilled to work with Padraig last year. The final Charity auction funds raised for our globe was just below 5000 euros. Many thanks & Congrats to Padraig, his management and everybody at GOAL.ie.

I'm taking a well earned rest to pick up some rays in Asia. Hope to paint a few & report back. Back in a couple of weeks. I'll see you all at the Northern Ireland Open in the Summer. If you require a portrait please be sure to leave a message on my contact page.
​It just remains for me to wish you all a safe and happy 2019.
Mark

#golf #newyear2019 #jan2019 #golfart #paintings #gallery
​

#GOALWhatonEarth #CharityAuction 

I was going to paint a U.S. & a European team canvas but the last time I did there was little interest. People forget quickly after the event. How fickle we are. So, to get more mileage out of individual portraits. In this case, I will paint selected players that I haven't painted before the first being Jon Rahm. No! I hear you cry you painted him placed incorrectly in rank on a watercolour in 2017. 1. already explained that & 2. I haven't painted a full 'swing portrait' in acrylics on canvas. So, here is the first in the series, Mr Rahm (I, for one am looking forward to his Ryder Cup debut). Contact me for price. Prints will be in the usual place.
Oh! Just another quick heads up. I retain the copyright on all of my work unless licensed to another party. That means no uses, publishing, printing of the work without permissions.
Even if you buy a portrait. I still retain the rights. This is normal for all artists, musicians etc. As the kids say ... Lateah......

#JonRahm #Golf #Golfart #RyderCup

Great week. Here is the final sketch at 18. Put the flag in later. Thanks to everyone at Galgorm Castle and the Media guys. Now on to the studio version...... See you next year.

It has been a very enjoyable time at Galgorm Castle during this year's Northern Ireland Open presented by Modest! Golf & Ulster Bank. I spent the week painting a variety of acrylic sketches on canvas. It was quite a changeable week in terms of weather and I got caught with wet paint and runny graphite at various times, messy. Still, I am pleased with the results and following the tournament I'll start to paint the final view of the 18th on Sunday with the eventual winner prominent. As I write this I'm looking out of the Media Centre and seeing brighter skies. Time to sign off and get on with the final sketch down by the 18th. I'll post the result later.
​ Mark

Started at 8 and the heavens opened at 9 . I used the rain to create an impression of the main grandstand at 18. In the afternoon I painted an acrylic sketch of the 15th until the rain returned.