Robert Yonke Art

“Hiking Out” at the Sandy Douglass Memorial Regatta

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.

A Deep Creek Sailing Tradition

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.

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 paintings, visit my 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 Deep Creek Lake Studio is Open

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.

Why I Paint Golf Scenes

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.

The Golf Series

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.

View my golf work here. I hope you enjoy my interpretations of my favorite game.

Artwork Selected for Master Craft Printers’ 2026 Calendar

I’m pleased to share that my watercolor Thirty-Two Acres was included in Master Craft Printers’ 2026 Promotional Calendar.

The calendar, featuring work by Garrett County artists, was distributed free to the public during the Small-Town Christmas event last month. Each piece reflects the character, creativity, and sense of place that defines the region.

Garrett County continues to be a source of inspiration for me, and I’m grateful to have this painting shared through a project that celebrates local art and community.

Thank you to April Hebden and everyone at Master Craft Printers for supporting local artists and creating opportunities to bring art into everyday spaces.

The original Thirty-Two Acres is no longer available, but prints and cards can be found here on Fine Art America. To view additional watercolor work inspired by Garrett County and beyond, you can explore my full collection there as well.

Autumn Glory and Art at Deep Creek Lake

Every October, Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County draw visitors for the Autumn Glory Festival, a long-standing tradition celebrating foliage, parades, crafts, and community. It’s one of the most popular seasonal events in Garrett County, and it has influenced my work for many years.

With Deep Creek Lake marking its 100th anniversary, this felt like the right time to reflect on some of my art created around this time of year.

The Spirit of Autumn Glory

I used to participate and exhibit at the Autumn Glory Art Festival, and it was a great opportunity to connect with locals and visitors.

In recent years, I’ve been in Florida when the festival takes place, so I no longer participate in the Autumn Glory art festival. Even so, the season continues to influence what I paint and how I see Deep Creek Lake.

Autumn Themed Work.

Common fall subjects in my paintings include farm scenes like Autumn, and outdoors scenes of wildlife like Turkey.

Art as Part of the Visit

For many people who attend Autumn Glory, art becomes part of their trip. They look for work that lets them return to a place year after year. I’ve seen that first-hand, both in person and through online collectors.

Even though I’m not exhibiting at the festival anymore, there are plenty of other talented artists in Garrett County that people can enjoy during their visit.

If you’d like to see more work, visit my gallery here. You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram.