A mechanic who decided to swap his tools for crayons and start drawing has held his second art exhibition.

It has been a busy year for Rob Temple, who lives in Kirkbymoorside.  

He continues to work at Cropton Garage but art has started to take up more and more of his time, with the number of drawings he has produced now in the hundreds.

Rob started drawing in 2019 after borrowing crayons from a friend.

Before 2019 he had not drawn since he was at school but when Rob got going again, he could not stop.

Gazette & Herald: Rob's workRob's work (Image: Rob Temple)

Two years on he continues to work on drawings at night after he finishes at the garage and completes a new piece most weeks.

The drawings feature unusual, bold, bright and colourful images that Rob makes using crayons and signs off ‘Gumbo’ – a childhood nickname.

He chooses to use crayons because he likes the look and feel of the wax and their ability to let him “scribble”.

Drawing is still a hobby for Rob, but he said he would love for it to become a bigger part of his life.

He held an art show on Sunday, June 25, at the New Inn, Cropton, to celebrate his 41st birthday.

Gazette & Herald: The New Inn, CroptonThe New Inn, Cropton (Image: Dylan Connell)

Rob held the same exhibition for his 40th birthday last year and hopes to make it an annual tradition.

Although the venue and occasion were the same, Rob said he has changed since last year and his drawings have too.

Gazette & Herald: New drawings by Rob TempleNew drawings by Rob Temple (Image: Rob Temple)

The artist has completed over 150 pieces of art since his first show and has seen improvements with his work.

He had 130 drawings on show at the exhibition this year.

“I am whacking them out at a fair rate,” said Rob. “The size (of the drawings) is also getting bigger.

“I am getting through the crayons.

“I am enjoying it more than I did last year.”


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Despite the exhibition being on the same day as the Malton Show, Rob said it still managed to draw a decent crowd.

“It was very good,” he said. “There was a steady flow of people.”

Gazette & Herald: Rob uses crayons to produce his drawingsRob uses crayons to produce his drawings (Image: Rob Temple)

Looking ahead, Rob has no plans to stop drawing and would enjoy nothing more than being able to do it as a full-time job.  

“I am going to make this work somehow,” he said. “I have improved so much since last year.”

Gazette & Herald: Rob with some drawings at Cropton GarageRob with some drawings at Cropton Garage (Image: Dylan Connell)

Rob already has plans in the pipeline for the coming year.

He will hold an art exhibition at the Memorial Hall, Pickering, from July 8 to 16.

The artist also hopes to hold another Christmas card appeal later in the year.

Gazette & Herald: Rob Temple presents a cheque to Rob Davies from RSFRob Temple presents a cheque to Rob Davies from RSF (Image: Rob Temple)

He raised £1,000 for Ryedale Special Families during his appeal last Christmas and hopes to do the same again.

You can keep up with Rob’s work online at: https://www.robsrandomdrawings.com/