Robert Yonke Art

Visit During the Garrett County Artist Studio Tour

On Saturday, July 26, I’m opening my studio doors as part of the Garrett County Arts Council’s Annual Studio Tour, and I’d love for you to stop by.

While the Studio Tour runs over two days, I’ll be participating on Saturday only, so if you’ve been meaning to visit, this is your chance to stop by, see what’s new, and say hello.

This event is always a highlight of my summer. It gives me a chance to share new work and it’s a great way to catch up with old and new friends. Whether you’ve collected my work for years or are simply curious about the process, the Studio Tour is a relaxed, come-as-you-are way to connect with art, ideas, and the creative community here in Garrett County.

I’ll be on hand throughout the day to chat, answer questions, and share a little about what’s been inspiring me lately. There will also be light refreshments and plenty of art.

Event Details:

Saturday, July 26, 2025
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
2355 Turkey Neck Road
Swanton, MD 21561

If you can’t make it that day, studio visits are also available by appointment. Feel free to reach out to schedule a time that suits you.

You can find more details, including a complete list of participating artists and a printable tour map, through the Garrett County Arts Council.

If you’ve never done the tour before, I recommend making a day of it. The conversations, the spaces, and the drive itself are all part of the experience.

I hope to see you soon.

Back in the Studio

The summer season is here and I’m glad to be back working in my Garrett County studio once again. I’ve got new pieces in the works and look forward to sharing them with you during the annual Garrett County Artist Studio Tour on Saturday, July 26th. It’s always a special event—an opportunity to open the studio doors, meet new visitors and old friends, and showcase some of the work I’ve been developing. I hope you’ll save the date and stop by.

Below is one of my first new pieces for the season, A Fleet, sized at 15″x30″.

Visit the Studio by Appointment

If you’d like to visit sooner, I welcome studio appointments as well. Please feel free to reach out at rhyonke@gmail.com or call 412-447-1193 to arrange a time.

I look forward to welcoming you to the studio and sharing what I’ve been working on.

Back on the River – Finished Work

Working Boat Art

It’s always a pleasure when my artistic interests align with a client’s needs, and my recent commission for an Ohio River marine contractor has been just that. A couple of months ago I posted about starting a working boat commission. As is often the case with my commission work, the initial spark of an idea can lead to multiple pieces. The piece below has been delivered to the owner.

Back on the River shown below is available for purchase.

I’m really pleased with how these pieces have come together, capturing the spirit of the river and the hardworking vessels that navigate it.

You can see more of my working boat art here. More updates to come.

Whitewater Rafting Around Deep Creek Lake

As Deep Creek Lake celebrates its 100th anniversary, I’m sharing my work reflecting time spent at the lake. The DCL100 Committee has put together some interpretive panels that highlight the lake’s many features. One of them is focused on whitewater rafting.

The area’s history with whitewater rafting is rooted in the natural landscape of the Youghiogheny River near Friendsville, which gained recognition for its challenging Class IV and V rapids. In 2007, the Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) opened in McHenry, an Olympic-standard artificial whitewater course born from the legacy of the 1989 World Championships held on the Savage River. Today, Garrett County is a popular destination for whitewater enthusiasts. I created these two pieces influenced by time watching the World Championships and time spent at ASCI.