A Portrait of Leicester
This set of portraits was painted to celebrate the life and works of the people that were either born in my hometown of Leicester or have very close associations with the city. All of which made valuable contributions not only to local but world culture. I was inspired to paint these local heroes as their achievements have gone either gone unrecognised or largely forgotten about, having lived all my life in the city I wanted in my own way to pay tribute to their contributions.
All of these portraits are available as a unique limited edition print. (see pricing page & step by step page for details.)
Joe Orton
Born in Leicester, playwright, author, and diarist.
His public career, from 1964 until his murder in 1967 committed by his partner, was short but highly influential. During this brief period he shocked, outraged, and amused audiences with his scandalous black comedies.
Graham Chapman
Born in Leicester, this comedian, writer and avid supporter of gay rights was one of the six members of the surrealist comedy group Monty Python. He portrayed authority figures such as The Colonel and the lead role in two Python films, Holy Grail (1975) and Life of Brian (1979).
Emile Heskey
currently serves as head of football development and interim manager of Leicester City Women. Playing as a striker, he became the first black Leicester born footballer to represent England in The world cup finals, he made more than 500 appearances in the Football League and Premier League over an 18-year football following the 2010 FIFA World Cup, having attained 62 caps and scored 7 goals for his country.
Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
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Claudio Ranieri
Thai billionaire businessman and the founder, owner, and chairman of King Power, Along with Manager Ranieri won the 2015–16 Premier League, a feat regarded as one of the greatest sporting shocks in history. He was the owner of Premier League team Leicester City from 2010 until his death in a helicopter crash just outside the club's King Power Stadium in 2018.
Sir Alec John Jeffreys, CH FRS MAE
Developed the techniques for genetic fingerprinting and DNA profiling at Leicester University,
he became an honorary freeman of the City in1992.and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to genetics
Sir Richard Attenborough
Baron Attenborough, CBE, FRSA, actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, was educated at Wyggeston grammar school for boys in Leicester and who’s acting career began at Leicester’s Little Theatre.
Jamie Vardy
Regarded by many as the greatest Leicester City player of all time, signed for City in May 2012 and was voted the Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year as outsiders Leicester won the title. He won the Premier League Golden Boot for the 2019–20 season,
Sir David Attenborough
Much loved and respected broadcaster, biologist, natural historian, and writer grew up in the grounds of Leicester University where his father was appointed as the second Principal of University College. In 1932 Sir David was awarded an honorary degree in 1970 from the university and later in 2006 was named an honorary distinguished fellow – the University’s highest honour.
Martin Johnson CBE
English rugby union player, now retired who represented and captained England and Leicester Tigers in a career spanning 16 seasons. He captained England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and is regarded as one of the greatest locks ever to have played, and one of England's greatest ever players.
Serge Pizzorno
Musician, singer, songwriter, artist, and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder, guitarist, and second vocalist of the legendary Leicester rock band Kasabian, for whom he became the primary songwriter after the departure of Christopher Karloff in 2006.
Susan Lillian Townsend FRS
Leicester born writer and humourist whose work encompasses novels, plays and works of journalism. She was best known for creating the character Adrian Mole.
Gary Lineker
Leicester born broadcaster and former professional footballer. Lineker is the only player to have been the top goalscorer in England with three clubs: Leicester City, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. He also played for Barcelona in Spain, and won 80 caps for England.
Youri Tielemans
On 15 May 2021, Leicester City won the FA Cup for the first time in there 140 year history, having lost all of their previous four finals, in the process securing a second major trophy in the space of five years; Youri Tielemans is seen here striking the ball to score the only goal against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.