The article looks at the connection between my years sailing Flying Scots and the paintings that have come out of that experience.
The Flying Scot turns 70 in 2027. Designed and built in Deer Park, Maryland, just a few miles from Deep Creek Lake, it has been part of this area, and part of my work, for a long time.
This year’s WGW Community Youth Cup, Garrett County’s biggest fundraising golf tournament, set out to raise $250,000 for the county’s kids and has raised $308,056 so far.
Golfers filled Thousand Acres Golf Club on the shore of Deep Creek Lake for the event. I’m happy to have been a part of the Cup for several years now. This year, my painting No. 11 was featured on the program cover and included in the silent auction at the Kick Off Dinner prior to the tournament.
Congratulations to the organizers on another successful year. If you’d like to be part of next year’s Cup, keep an eye on their website.
Sailing has long been part of summer at Deep Creek Lake, and one of the highlights of the season is the annual Sandy Douglass Memorial Regatta.
Held in July, the regatta brings Flying Scot sailors together for a weekend of racing and celebrates a boat with deep roots in Garrett County. This year, I was honored when the regatta organizers ordered 38 prints of my painting “Hiking Out” to include with the trophy presentations.
My sincere thanks to the Deep Creek Yacht Racing Association and everyone involved with the Sandy Douglass Memorial Regatta for choosing my work. It was especially meaningful to have a painting inspired by sailing become part of an event with such a strong connection to Deep Creek’s sailing history.
The Sandy Douglass Memorial Regatta is named for Gordon “Sandy” Douglass, the designer of the Flying Scot.
The boat has a particularly strong connection to this area. The Flying Scot was developed here and is still built in nearby Deer Park, just a few miles from Deep Creek Lake.
For generations, Flying Scots have been a familiar sight on the lake. The regatta continues that tradition by bringing sailors together for competitive racing while also honoring the history of the boat and the community that has grown around it.
The event is organized through the Deep Creek Yacht Racing Association and hosted at the Deep Creek Lake Sailing Association on Turkey Neck. It is one of the major events on the local sailing calendar and draws competitors who share a strong appreciation for the Flying Scot and for racing at Deep Creek.
My own connection to the regatta is personal. I sailed these waters for years, and those experiences continue to influence my work.
Photo Credit: Cheryl Shafer
Sailing at Deep Creek Lake
Earlier this year, I shared a short film, Chasing the Wind, about sailing at Deep Creek Lake and the people who continue to keep that tradition alive.
The video offers a closer look at the boats, the racing community and the experience of sailing in the heart of Deep Creek Lake.
Watch the sailing video and read the earlier story here.
Thank you again to the Deep Creek Yacht Racing Association, the regatta organizers and volunteers, and everyone who took part in this year’s Sandy Douglass Memorial Regatta. It was a privilege to have my work included in such a meaningful event.
To see more of my sailing paintings, view my online gallery here.
If you’re local or visiting the Deep Creek Lake area and would like to visit the studio, schedule a visit here.
The weather didn’t reflect it this past weekend, but another summer at Deep Creek Lake is just around the corner, and I’m back to work in the Garrett County studio.
After returning from a trip to the West Coast of Ireland, I’ve been painting scenes from the trip. You might remember a series that I did from past trips. This time around I visited some places we’ve been to before and also some new places. I look forward to sharing some of that work soon.
I’m also planning new lake pieces as I always have requests for this subject matter.
Visit this Summer by Appointment
This summer I’m keeping things simple and seeing visitors by appointment. It’s a good way to spend some time, look at the work, and actually have a real conversation about what you’re seeing.
If you would like to stop by to view work, I’d love to have you. Just reach out and we’ll find a time that works for you. Call or text at 412-447-1193 or email rhyonke@gmail.com to schedule a visit.
Golf is a pretty game and comforting, too. And I don’t think that’s just for me. Maybe that’s why I enjoy painting golf-related scenes as much as I do. If I’m not painting or playing country music with my friends, you can probably find me sneaking off to a golf course to play a few holes and soak in the ambience.
It’s Masters Week
If you’re watching the Masters this week, you know there’s something about the game that gets under your skin. It could be the beauty of the courses, the people, the pursuit. It’s a whole environment, not just a sport.
I’ve painted over 25 pieces in my golf series so far, and it’s a subject I keep coming back to. There’s a richness to it that doesn’t get old. The course itself is a landscape. The figures have a stillness and focus to them. And the light, especially early or late in the day, is exactly the kind of thing I want to capture on canvas.
Some of these pieces have found homes with collectors. Others are still available. If you’re someone who loves the game and wants original artwork that reflects that, I’d love to hear from you.
Robert Yonke Art 