Newark artist Danny Robinson, of Ebel Abstract Art, showcases high street with painting of Sibleys Family Butchers

An artist who swapped haulage for painting has created a special portrait of a longstanding town business.

Danny Robinson, the creative behind Ebel Abstract Art, spent three weeks painting Andy Hind of Sibleys Family Butchers, with his premises on Kirkgate, as a way of promoting the Newark business.

Danny, of Newark, officially handed over the painting to Andy on Thursday (May 7), who said he was “over the moon” with the finished product.

“I’ve always liked the shopfront, it’s one of the most traditional in Newark and has been there for decades,” the artist said, explaining his choice of subject.

“I know Andy a little bit through football, as my wife chairs Newark Town FC and he has offered some sponsorship.

“I just kept looking at it as it’s such a nice shopfront, so I asked Andy if I could paint it. He came outside and put his tie on — he wouldn’t have it without a tie — and we took the photo, and then I painted it over the next few weeks.”

Danny created the painting for free, describing it as a favour which goes both ways, promoting both Sibleys and Ebel Abstract Art, a venture he set up after Covid-19 affected operations of his family haulage business Dexhaul Ltd.

He added: “You know how bad the high street is, so I wanted to take any opportunity to help promote it.

“I hope to do a couple more paintings like this in the coming weeks. I enjoy doing it.

“The painting got an amazing response on social media, one of the best of anything I’ve posted — because people know Andy as well.”

Danny, who graduated from Lincoln Art College in the early nineties and then went into work in the family business, first decided to invest in his creative side and start selling his paintings during the pandemic.

He now has artwork in homes across the UK and has had enquiries from as far as Australia — and even has his painting of Nottingham Forest legend Brian Clough hung in the club’s museum.

Through his Facebook page, Ebel Abstract Art, Danny shares his work and commissions, which include portraits, landscapes, graffiti, and abstract art.