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Renowned aviation artist Robert
Taylor, superb aviation art prints of the United States Air force shown in
aviation art prints available from Cranston Fine Arts.
The name Robert Taylor has been synonymous with aviation art over a quarter of a century. His paintings of aircraft, more than those of any other artist, have helped popularise a genre which at the start of this remarkable artist's career had little recognition in the world of fine art. When he burst upon the scene in the mid-1970s his vibrant, expansive approach to the subject was a revelation. His paintings immediately caught the imagination of enthusiasts and collectors alike . He became an instant success. As a boy, Robert seemed always to have a pencil in his hand. Aware of his natural gift from an early age, he never considered a career beyond art, and with unwavering focus, set out to achieve his goal. Leaving school at fifteen, he has never worked outside the world of art. After two years at the Bath School of Art he landed a job as an apprentice picture framer with an art gallery in Bath, the city where Robert has lived and worked all his life. Already competent with
water-colours the young apprentice took every opportunity to study the works of other artists and, after trying his hand at oils, quickly determined he could paint to the same standard as much of the art it was his job to frame. Soon the gallery was selling his paintings, and the owner, recognising Roberts talent, promoted him to the busy picture-restoring department. Here, he repaired and restored all manner of paintings and drawings, the expertise he developed becoming the foundation of his career as a professional artist. Picture restoration is an exacting skill, requiring the ability to emulate the techniques of other painters so as to render the damaged area of the work undetectable. After a decade of diligent application, Robert became one of the most capable picture restorers outside London. Today he attributes his versatility to the years he spent painstakingly working on the paintings of others artists. After fifteen years at the gallery, by chance he was introduced to Pat Barnard, whose military publishing business happened also to be located in the city of Bath. When offered the chance to become a full-time painter, Robert leapt at the opportunity. Within a few months of becoming a professional artist, he saw his first works in print. Roberts early career was devoted to maritime paintings, and he achieved early success with his prints of naval subjects, one of his admirers being Lord Louis
Mountbatten. He exhibited successfully at the Royal Society of Marine Artists in London and soon his popularity attracted the attention of the media. Following a major feature on his work in a leading national daily newspaper he was invited to appear in a BBC Television
programme. This led to a string of commissions for the Fleet Air Arm Museum who, understandably, wanted aircraft in their maritime paintings. It was the start of Roberts career as an aviation artist. Fascinated since childhood by the big, powerful machines that man has invented, switching from one type of hardware to another has never troubled him. Being an artist of the old school, Robert tackled the subject of painting aircraft with the same gusto as with his large, action-packed maritime pictures - big compositions supported by powerful and dramatic skies, painted on large canvases. It was a formula new to the aviation art genre, at the time not used to such sweeping canvases, but one that came naturally to an artist whose approach appeared to have origins in an earlier classical period. Roberts aviation paintings are instantly
recognisable. He somehow manages to convey all the technical detail of aviation in a traditional and painterly style, reminiscent of the Old Masters. With uncanny ability, he is able to recreate scenes from the past with a carefully rehearsed realism that few other artists ever manage to achieve. This is partly due to his prodigious research but also his attention to detail: Not for him shiny new factory-fresh aircraft looking like museum specimens. His trade mark, flying machines that are battle-scarred, worse for wear, with dings down the fuselage, chips and dents along the leading edges of wings, oil stains trailing from engine cowlings, paintwork faded with dust and grime; his planes are real! Roberts aviation works have drawn crowds in the international arena since the early 1980s. He has exhibited throughout the US and Canada, Australia, Japan and in Europe. His one-man exhibition at the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC was hailed as the most popular art exhibition ever held there. His paintings hang in many of the worlds great aviation museums, adorn boardrooms, offices and homes, and his limited edition prints are avidly collected all around the world. A family man with strong Christian values, Robert devotes most of what little spare time he has to his home life. Married to Mary for thirty five years, they have five children, all now grown up. Neither fame nor fortune has turned his head. He is the same easy-going, gentle character he was when setting out on his painting career all those years ago, but now with a confidence that comes with the knowledge that he has mastered his profession.
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SOLD OUT EDITIONS
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America Strikes Back by Robert Taylor
The very first air combat fought by American pilots following the surprise attack upon Pearl Harbor. In less than one hour America struck back in a war that was to end in total victory. As the assault mounted on the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, simultaneously the air base at Wheeler Field came under heavy attack. Two young USAAF pilots, Kenneth Taylor and George Walsh, quickly got their P-40 Tomahawks airborne. Winging southwards towards Ewa Field they ripped into a dozen or more enemy planes attacking the marine field. Diving into the formation they each downed Val fighter-bombers. Robert Taylors painting shows Ken Taylor in his P-40 tomahawk, with George Walsh in close company, bringing down his second enemy aircraft on December 7, 1941, an Aichi D-3Al Val dive-bomber. In the background palls of smoke rise from Hangar 6 housing the naval float planes, and the up-turned battleship Oaklahoma.
Signed limited edition of 550 prints. Paper size 31 inches x 24 inches (79cm x 61cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Colonel William Dickman, Colonel David Tex Hill, Lt General Joe Moore, Brigadier General Kenneth Taylor and Colonel Earl Williams.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 31 inches x 24 inches (79cm x 61cm). Price £325.00 Signed by Colonel William Dickman, Colonel David Tex Hill, Lt General Joe Moore, Brigadier General Kenneth Taylor and Colonel Earl Williams.
ITEM CODE RT0299
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Doolittle Raiders by Robert Taylor.
Doolittle Raiders take their B-25 bombers down to very low level and head for China after delivering their surprise attack on the industrial and military targets in and around Tokyo on April 18, 1942. The sixteen-ship mission, led by volunteer crews, successfully completed one of the most audacious air raids of World War II.
Signed limited edition of 600 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £245.00 Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Richard E Cole, Staff Sergeant Rev Jacob DeSchazer, Major Thomas C Griffin, Major Nolan A Herndon, Major General David M Jones, Lieutenant Colonel Frank A Kappelar, Lieutenant Colonel James H Macia, Lieutenant Colonel Harry C McCool, Lieutenant Colonel Chase J Nielson, Colonel Henry A Potter, Staff Sergeant David J Thatcher, Brigadier General Everett W Holstrom, Major Howard A Sessler and Captain J Royden Stork.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £375.00 Signed by Lieutenant Colonel Richard E Cole, Staff Sergeant Rev Jacob DeSchazer, Major Thomas C Griffin, Major Nolan A Herndon, Major General David M Jones, Lieutenant Colonel Frank A Kappelar, Lieutenant Colonel James H Macia, Lieutenant Colonel Harry C McCool, Lieutenant Colonel Chase J Nielson, Colonel Henry A Potter, Staff Sergeant David J Thatcher, Brigadier General Everett W Holstrom, Major Howard A Sessler and Captain J Royden Stork.
ITEM CODE DHM2146
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Attack on the Hiei by Robert Taylor.
Marine Ace Captain Joe Foss leads a flight of eight F4F Wildcats of VMF121, based at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, in a diversionary attack on the Imperial Japanese battlecruiser Hiei north of Savo Island, Friday November 13, 1942. In the distance TBF Avenger torpedo bombers of VMSB-131, having already attacked from the starboard side, head for base. That evening, after relentless air attack, the Hiei, disappeared beneath the sea- the first Japanese battleship sunk by American Forces in World War II
Signed limited edition of 475 prints. Image size 34 inches x 24 inches (86cm x 61cm). Price £195.00 Signed by Brigadier General Joseph J Foss, Lt Colonel Roger Haberman, Lt Colonel William B Freeman and Colonel T W Boot Furlow.
Limited edition of 25 artist proofs. Image size 34 inches x 24 inches (86cm x 61cm). Price £320.00 Signed by Brigadier General Joseph J Foss, Lt Colonel Roger Haberman, Lt Colonel William B Freeman and Colonel T W Boot Furlow.
Limited edition of 50 millenium proofs. Image size 34 inches x 24 inches (86cm x 61cm). Price £390.00 Signed by Brigadier General Joseph J Foss, Lt Colonel Roger Haberman, Lt Colonel William B Freeman, Colonel T W Boot Furlow, Lt Colonel Ronnie Hay and Commander Don Sheppard.
ITEM CODE DHM2436
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Mission Beyond Darkness by Robert Taylor
Following the attack against Admiral Ozawas Japanese carrier fleet on June 20, 1944, Admiral Mitscher defies all rules of naval engagement: In total darkness, with the ever-present danger of enemy submarines, he orders every ship in his Task Force 58 to switch on lights to guide over 100 returning carrier-borne aircraft, all desperately low on fuel. Amid the confusion, unable to get a landing slot aboard the USS Lexington, and now out of fuel, a pilot and his gunner scramble from their ditched SB2B Curtiss Helldiver, as a Fletcher class destroyer manoeuvres to make the pick up.
Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Image size 34 inches x 23 inches (86cm x 58cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Captain Donald Gordon USN, Lieutenant Ralph Yaussi USNR and Air Gunner James Curry.
Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 34 inches x 23 inches (86cm x 58cm). Price £325.00 Signed by Commander Alex Vraciu USN, Captain Donald Gordon USN, Lieutenant Ralph Yaussi USNR and Air Gunner James Curry.
ITEM CODE DHM2058
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Thunderbolt Strike by Robert Taylor.
A flight of P47 thunderbolts of the 404 Fighter group, 9th Air force, clear the target area after a low-level attack on the airfield inland from Le Havre, Normandy, 1944. Tracer winds up towards them from ground defences and almost all the aircraft have taken hits. Ground-attack pilots went in low, did the job and got our fast!
Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £165.00 Signed by Captain Paul Douglas, General James Hill and Colonel Joe Matte.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Image size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £265.00 Signed by Captain Paul Douglas, General James Hill and Colonel Joe Matte.
ITEM CODE DHM2073
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Mustang Recce by Robert Taylor.
Russ Berg flies his 10th Recce Group P51s in low and fast, dodging flak and enemy fighters, to get vital photographs for General Patons advancing forces. A superb study of World War IIs most outstanding tactical fighter in action, in the hands of one of the USAAFs most distinguished and highly decorated pilots.
Signed limited edition of 1500 prints. Paper size 24 inches x 20 inches (61cm x 51cm). Price £80.00 Signed by Russ Berg.
ITEM CODE DHM2096
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Marauder Mission by Robert Taylor
B26 Marauders of the 386th Bomb Group 9th Air Force, returning from a strike against VI, rocket sites in the Pas de Calais, January 1944. The 9th Air Force became one of the most effective forces in the destruction of VI rocket sites, railroad yards, bridges and other enemy position in northern France and by May 1944, was despatching more than one thousand aircraft a day against targets in Normandy and the Pas de Calais.
Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £175.00 Signed by General John Moench, Colonel Roland Scott and Colonel Ashley Woolridge.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £295.00 Signed by General John Moench, Colonel Roland Scott and Colonel Ashley Woolridge.
Multi Signed edition of 100 prints. Paper size 27 inches x 20 inches (69cm x 51cm). Price £275.00 Signed by General John Moench, Colonel Roland Scott, Colonel Ashley Woolridge, Major Carl Oates, Captain Earl Slanker and Colonel Richard Dick Denison.
ITEM CODE DHM2072
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Bogeys Eleven O Clock High by Robert Taylor
Doug Canning breaks radio silence to call the sighting of Admiral Yamamotos flight over the pacific island of Bourganville, 18 April 1943. After a two and a half hour, four hundred mile flight just above the waves, mission leader John Mitchell and his 16 ship raiding party push their P-38s to full power to complete one of the most remarkable ambushes in aviation history.
Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 38 inches x 24 inches (97cm x 61cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Colonel John W Mitchell, Lt Colonel Roger J Ames, Colonel Rex Barber, Lt Colonel Doug Canning, Captain Delton Goerke, Captain Larry Graebener, Lt Colonel Besby F Holmes, Major Julius Jack Jacobson and Lt Colonel Louis R Kittel.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 38 inches x 24 inches (97cm x 61cm). Price £325.00 Signed by Colonel John W Mitchell, Lt Colonel Roger J Ames, Colonel Rex Barber, Lt Colonel Doug Canning, Captain Delton Goerke, Captain Larry Graebener, Lt Colonel Besby F Holmes, Major Julius Jack Jacobson and Lt Colonel Louis R Kittel.
ITEM CODE DHM2075
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Hostile Sky by Robert Taylor
A B-24 has been hit and is losing touch with the main bomber formation, as Luftwaffe pilots concentrated their attentions on the unfortunate aircraft. Two Fw190s, are zooming up for the kill on the damaged B-24. Seeing the desperate situation, a P-38 escort pilot has made a head-on attack, splitting the pair of Fw190s, and thwarting their attempt to finish off the B-24. Another P-38, aware of the situation, is turning into the path of the Fw190s, and Robert makes it clear in his dramatic portrayal that the action has some way to go before any conclusion will be reached.
Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 25 inches (84cm x 64cm) Only one available.. Price £225.00 Signed by Colonel Gerald Brown, Colonel John Lowell, Hauptmann Alfred Grislawski and Captain Gunther Schack.
Limited edition of 125 artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 25 inches (84cm x 64cm). Price £395.00 Signed by Colonel Gerald Brown, Colonel John Lowell, Hauptmann Alfred Grislawski and Captain Gunther Schack.
ITEM CODE DHM2085
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Valour in the Pacific by Robert Taylor.
Depicted are B-29s of the 499th Bomb Group, 73rd Wing of the 20th Air Force. After a daylight raid on Tokyo, showing all the telltale signs of combat over the target, a Wing of the worlds largest and fastest-ever piston-engined bombers make their long over-water journey home, still many hours away at Saipan Island. At the extremity of their range, little friends, very-long-range P-51 Mustang escort fighters, peel off and head for home - leaving the mighty bombers to fend for themselves.
Signed limited edition of 1250 prints. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Captain Turner G Brashear, Brigadier General Henry Huglin, Lieutenant Chester Marshall and Colonel Bob Morgan.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 34 inches x 25 inches (86cm x 64cm). Price £325.00 Signed by Captain Turner G Brashear, Brigadier General Henry Huglin, Lieutenant Chester Marshall and Colonel Bob Morgan.
ITEM CODE DHM2226
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Sky Giant by Robert Taylor.
A consolidated PB2Y Coronado, flown by Pan Am flight crews for the Navy Transport Service, at the Marine Terminal mooring, La Guadia, 1943.
Signed limited edition of 1000 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 22 inches (84cm x 56cm) Sold out edition. Only one secondary market print available.. Price £200.00
ITEM CODE DHM2170
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Legend of Colin Kelly by Robert Taylor.
December 10th 1941, Just three days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, captain Colin Kellys 19th BG B-17C is heavily outnumbered by Zeros as it returns to Clark Field after completing a successful bombing attack. With his aircraft on fire. Kelly remained at the controls whilst his crew bailed out. Seconds later the B-17 exploded. Colin Kelly gave his life and was posthumously awarded the DFC. A legend was born.
Signed limited edition of 750 prints. Paper size 33 inches x 23 inches (84cm x 58cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Master Sergeant James E Halkyard, Staff Sergeant Robert E Altman and Saburo Sakai.
Limited edition of artist proofs. Paper size 33 inches x 23 inches (84cm x 58cm). Price £325.00 Signed by Master Sergeant James E Halkyard, Staff Sergeant Robert E Altman and Saburo Sakai.
ITEM CODE DHM2154
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Fighting Tigers by Robert Taylor.
On August 5, 1944, following a successful attack on Japanese forces just north of Changsha, P-40 Warhawks of the75th and 16th Fighter Squadrons, 23rd F.G., are attacked by enemy Nakajima fighters and a massive dog-fight has developed over the Hsiang Chiang river with aircraft wheeling and turning in all directions. The action is set against the distinctive, haunting landscape of Southern China, Roberts panoramic canvas capturing all the atmosphere of a crucial aerial campaign fought in the skies above a distant land so many years ago.
Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Paper size 32 inches x 23 inches (81cm x 58cm). Price £200.00 Signed by Major General John Alison, Colonel Tex Hill, Lt Colonel Don Lopez, Colonel Charles Older, Colonel Ed Rector and Brigadier General Wiltz Segura.
ITEM CODE DHM2465
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| Company of Heroes by Robert Taylor
Generals signed limited edition of 400 prints with pencil print of
Bader's Bus Company. Signed by the above and Adolf Galland.
Returning to base following the ordeal of a gruelling daylight raid,
when barrages of flak and the persistent attendance of enemy fighters were
an accepted feature of the mission were, for the weary aircrews, moments
of pure exhilaration. The entire airfield suddenly transformed into
a cacophony of noise and activity as, one after another, the mighty
bombers landed and came to rest. Jeeps scurried about collecting
crews, whisking them away for debriefing and well-earned nourishment while
groundcrews, after their anxious wait, milled around their
charges.
The 34th Bomb Group's Queenie, first home to Mendlesham today, has come
to a standstill, the co-pilot already briefing the crew chief on the state
of the aircraft. Another B-17 taxies while a jeep scurries across
the tarmac to collect the crew of a third aircraft. Other B-17s are
already parked as the last man home makes his final approach, streami | |
