Robin Smith

Robin, born in 1949 in South Lincolnshire has always been keen on anything aircraft and was an enthusiastic aeromodeller from a very early age. Early memories of Lincoln bombers flying low over his house to land at RAF Manby are still clear in his mind. Art came easily to Robin, as it appeared that a natural ability was brought to bear on his main interest, aviation, and lead to it becoming his main hobby as a youth.

Leaving school at the age of sixteen, Robin left home to serve an apprenticeship as a draughtsman at Rolls-Royce in Derby. It was during the early stages of his apprenticeship at the age of seventeen, that Robin chose to learn to fly at the Rolls-Royce Merlin Flying Club at Hucknall, Nottingham. Unfortunately, after five years as a draughtsman, boredom set in and Robin left Rolls-Royce to join the Royal Navy as an electrician. After seven years of sailing the seas, Robin wanted to settle down and decided to go back to Derbyshire in 1978. The Royal Navy was no waste of time though.

"I never realised how beautiful the sea could be, with it's colours and moods. I learned how to paint the sea, a far more complex beast than one might at first think, very wobbly! Also skies without the distraction of landscape. I was in the Navy but my head was always in the clouds. I learned how to appreciate the value, and importance of good skies in paintings."

Back in Derby, Robin joined the Fire Service, a career that was to be his life's vocation, but after an injury on duty, he had to retire early in 1981. This did, however, leave Robin all the time in the world to paint. Concentrating on aviation, Robin joined the Guild of Aviation Artists based in London. After only two years and now painting full time from his home in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, Robin was voted by the Guild Committee to become a full member.

Specialising in aviation, he paints in oils and accepts commissions on a regular basis, with work in many collections across the world.

Robin Smith - Guild of Aviation Artists
Tel/Fax: 01507 327681
Mobile: 07940 702351
Write to: Westcott House, Mill Lane, Grimoldby, Lincolnshire, LN11 8TB, England.
Email: gallery@turnerlogs.com