What a fantastic DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai Season. Anyone who said that the Tour would die when the McIlroy's and Westwood's left for the US PGA Tour, were wrong. The fantastic show by the young lads coming through from all points of the globe are a testament to the strength of the European Tour and the World's appetite for the great game. Having painted at the final tournaments of the season on the Challenge and Main Tours this year, I've listened to comments in the crowds. People still love the game and are excited to see the top players from the Race to Dubai go on to compete for the Fed Ex Cup and World Rankings. I don't profess to having a valid opinion, I'll leave that to the pundits but It's mine and I think the European Tour Race to Dubai is, ' Alive and Kicking'. Thank you to the European Tour and the Challenge Tour for the invites. I really enjoyed painting at both, for different reasons.

The Race to Dubai Finale will be played at JGE till at least 2017 and I for one am very happy about that. It works out nicely as my main painting at the back of my Exhibition covered 2009-13. I hope I'm still around and more's the point, invited, to paint the 2014-2017. 
I didn't expect people to walk around the DP World Tour Championship with a painting under their arm, that is why there were postcards and Greeting cards on sale. There were forms for commissions. The form went this way. Some people walked past the stand, noticed the large swing portraits, asked how much, "Oh , I can't afford that", didn't look at anything else and marched off. Others started by checking out the desk and it's contents and methodically made their way around the exhibits, passed comment and moved on. Some ran in, Stood in front of the $10,000 (actually 10,000 dirhams) Stenson Portrait that was featured in the London Times thanks to a Swedish Journalist who made it all up. I told Suz' who manned the Exhibition for the four days, to let people take photos  but drew the line at one guy who was clearly set on re-prints. Others took a card and promised a commission. 
Out on the course I was painting away and chatting with interested parties. Met gazillions this year because I was positioned just back from the bunker where the hospitality created a slight bottle neck. Hi to Ken and Collin, it was a pleasure to see you and chat with you about all things golf , trains, poker cards and the weather. Thanks also to Ken for giving me his copy of the Times when he hadn't finished the crossword. The weather. A first this year. Shamal ! Sand Storm. All of the paintings got covered in fine dust. We all got covered in fine dust. The camera men's expensive kit got covered in fine dust. Henrik got covered in fine dust but didn't notice because it was star dust. My kit got coated and I'm still cleaning. Nasty stuff. Thanks also to the two kind ladies from Scotland who looked after me throughout the four days, lovely to meet you both. I hope you both had a safe journey back and a great time at the golf. Luckily the sand didn't carry on throughout the night and by morning it was clear for you.
It is always an anti-climax, day after feeling, the day after DPWTC, or any Tournament. This was no exception. Su and I wrapped up the paintings and headed off home. The players and coaches and golf tourists headed for the airport and life returned to Studio Painting. Looking forward to Next year. Now......... The new season.. Commissions, the MEGA Awards Exhibition, Omega Ladies Masters and the Desert  Swing in Jan. Hope to catch up with some of you then or failing that, next year. Have a great Xmas. Mark

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/golf/article3923553.ece


Swedish geezer mentioned the painting in Friday's interview with Henrik Stenson and it created a cue of people wanting their  picture taken in front of it. 

Henrik Stenson 2009
By Mark Robinson
120cm X 80 cm
Acrylic on canvas.
All rights reserved by the artist

Thanks also to Matteo, Dave and Matteo's Mum. Who is that guy staring? Was going to paint a second canvas but looking at this I  believe it could be finished within the four days. I will have to be pretty sharpish with the crowd but It makes sense to complete it during the tournament. Once again, thankyou all for your very kind comments and fun quips. The Exhibition is going well and It has been a pleasure to meet everyone.

Been a great Championship as usual with the added bonus of an Exhibition in the Village. It's funny how people can't seem to grasp the fact that it's the same bloke painting on the 18th as the guy in the Village. It's easier to say, " He's a Golf Landscape painter or, he's a Golf Portrait painter but both together? Not allowed. My stock answer to everyone is, " The portraits are my day job."  Thanks to the SKY camera man yesterday & to Phil.

That's a fine looking watercolor yer holdin there fella! Been painting on the course since the photo this morning. Will complete the acrylic sketch by close of play. Thanks to Ornella, Paul and Suzie

Blocked in first canvas. Will complete this tomorrow and then move on to the main painting on Saturday. Met many familiar faces today, lovely to chat. The Exhibition is going well and it was very kind of Brett Rumford to pass by and sign his painting. Thanks to everyone who purchased work from the Village and those that made kind comments. We do it all again tomorrow. Don't get to see the golf, will watch the re-runs.

View from the shop