Newark man leaves family haulage business to start selling his own paintings

A man has left his family's haulage business to follow his dreams in the art world.

Danny Robinson, a Newark-based haulier worked in his family business, Dexhaul Ltd, after graduating from Lincoln Art College in the early Nineties.

It wasn’t until the start of the covid pandemic that Danny decided to invest in his creative side and start selling his paintings.

Danny had been following his dad on the open road across the UK and abroad ever since being a young child.

He said: “By default, I eventually fell into the family business after college and when my father died suddenly in 2009, I was already in the driving seat to take on the business.

“It was a tough time when he died.”

As a business we subcontracted for over 16 years almost exclusively for Tuffnell Express, which was based on Bowbridge Road, and as haulage literally never stops moving, I just kept working, not really being able to consider other alternatives.”

Tuffnells closed their depot in Newark at the start of the pandemic which affected Danny’s family business.

It wasn’t until Danny started painting large, bright, abstract pieces for his own house that his work became popular on social media.

“I pretty much decided on the spot that I needed to create affordable artwork in my own style as not everyone can afford thousands of pounds on one painting,” said the artist.

“After posting a few more creations on Facebook, friends started commissioning pieces with me. It’s been so humbling getting this encouragement.

“I’ve now got artwork in homes from Hull to Essex as well as nearer home in and around Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. I’ve even had enquiries from as far as Australia.”

Danny’s artworks are currently on display at the reception and communal areas at the Newark Beacon on Caferatta Way, where his wife, Sarah, works.

“As a result my art is getting fantastic exposure and I’m so grateful to all the staff there,” he said.

“I’m so happy on this journey, although it can be a little nerve-wracking when people give you a brief for a painting and you have to create what’s in their head. So far, so good though.”

Danny encourages people to paint as it is good for their mental health, to what he admits becoming calmer.

Danny concluded: “Being on the road all day long takes its toll , that's for sure, I’d rather be handling a paint palette as opposed to hauling stacking pallets.”