Creating Community Through Art
Collaboration with painter, Rob Wyn Yates to raise money for WWF.
Hello, I hope you have had a good week - it is suddenly feeling very spring like! With our countryside suddenly coming to life again, it felt a lovely time to share with you an initiative that friend and artist, Rob Wyn Yates, is doing this month to help raise money for the WWF.
Following a conversation a few months back, we decided to collaborate to raise much needed funds for the WWF. This new series of three paintings - Mountains, Hills and Rivers, represents Rob’s interest in helping to preserve our natural world, and from today until the 31st March 2024, Rob will donate 20% from the sales of his new series to the WWF.
[BACKGROUND]
From his rural Suffolk studio, Rob creates striking, 3D abstract paintings using distinctive linen frames. With an inherent passion for art & modernist design, Rob refers to himself as a painter rather than an artist. His trademark style has become synonymous with creating geometric forms with shadow, sometimes with colour, sometimes as multiple layers of white. His work has been exhibited widely, but for those that don’t know him yet, expect to fall as much in love with his work, as his creative ethos behind each painting. I bought a couple of his early works as gifts for my husband - I love their energy as much as the physical pieces, and it has been a joy to get to know the person behind the paintings.
[ROB WYN YATES - NEW SERIES]
I wanted to share Rob’s new series of work with you, in the hope that like me, you might also find beauty in his efforts, and perhaps a desire to want to support his attempt to raise much needed funds for WWF, that help protect our fragile natural world, that is changing so quickly.
To purchase one or more of the three paintings before 31.03.2024 please email Rob on robwynyates@gmail.com
20% from the sale of each of these three paintings, to be donated by Rob to WWF.
[MEET ROB WYN YATES]
I have always painted, ever since leaving Chelsea College of Art. Whilst working in the design world, I have been constantly immersed with the visual side of life & my paintings are a manifestation of this. I've always made a point of noticing things, whether out on a walk, reading a magazine or visiting somewhere. They say a picture can paint a thousand words and for me this is really true.
Everything started with a pop up shop from home. A move to Suffolk, in 2008, with my partner coincided with an idea to start our own antiques business. We launched a series of pop-ups from our cottage and my paintings started to get people’s attention. They weren’t for sale but I left them up to gauge a reaction and this encouraged me to start selling them. The pop-ups proved a great success and we opened a standalone antiques store, In Da Cottage, in Framlingham. Initially I sold my paintings from there, as well as in gallery spaces and online, but now paintings are available to view by appointment in my Framlingham studio space.
My main inspirations stretch from modernism to the natural world. Of course, ideas arrive randomly but I am predominantly inspired by buildings, art and furniture, together with a love of birds & their plumage. As a result, I am a collector of all sorts of things and some would say a hoarder. However, I always try and group things together for impact.
The linen frames I use are an essential catalyst. Every painting I create is framed in an old linen frame and these are always the start of my creative process. When I find one, I know which direction it is going to take me in and the painting evolves from that. Traditionally the painting comes first and then the frame, but for me it is the other way around, with a frame, the vital element both at the start and finish of the process. A combination of the old with the new is the final result.
Dimensionality is fundamentally important to me. I'm a huge believer in shadow & contrast to create depth and trying to avoid the shapes looking flat. I enjoy creating illusions within my compositions, by changing the direction of the light on the objects being represented. I build up layer upon layer of thick paint, which gives a real physical depth and helps with the accuracy of the painting.
I frequently wear the points off my paint brushes. Painting so many edges this is inevitable but I love the flatness & evenness of colour that this creates. The direction of every brushstroke is the only give away that each artwork is in fact a painting and not a print or collage.
When I start a painting, I become obsessed. Each artwork is sketched out and redrawn several times before it is finally painted. A chosen palette of colours is changed to create the effect that I am after until it feels complete.
Latest series. Mountains, Hills and Rivers is a way for me to help raise money for the World Wildlife Fund. We all know that the world is entering an unprecedented future with global warming presenting a huge threat to many animal species. As someone who has always had an interest in the natural world - I nearly became a zoologist, I have been trying to raise money for WWF through my work. The idea for this new series, sparked during a conversation with Ali, is my way of giving back, and I am grateful for any support you are able to give. 20% of all proceeds from the sale of these three paintings, before the 31.03.2024 to go to WWF.
“Collect objects infused with stories. Buy a hand-carved wooden spoon. Rescue and refinish a table. Hang someone’s art on your walls. It doesn’t need to be costly. Just rich in story. Save yourself from the feeling that you’re sinking beneath the bulk of gray, lifeless products. Many things are made with love, with care, with intention. Some purchases make us consumers, some make us a community.” Poem: Collection by Jarod K. Anderson
Thank you for letting me share Rob’s great initiative with you this week.
Next week for paid subscribers I will be looking at the process of Creating A Successful Photoshoot for your home or business, and my best practice advise for making the most of this opportunity, and what to be aware of when looking for features to be published.
Wishing you all a very happy Sunday and Mother’s Day - have a great week ahead.
Ali x x
Looks wonderful Ali 🧡
So interesting to learn about the process of his making art. Such a shame you’re not near Brighton. There’s an exhibition called ‘Hardpaper’ at Phoenix Gallery right now that I think you’d love.