Press and Journal “Artist Reveals Man Behind Famous Face” by Morag Lindsay

Art: Nicole got to know Bishop of Liverpool as she painted portrait. An award-winning young north-east artist has unveiled her most prestigious work yet – an oil painting of the outgoing Bishop of Liverpool. Nicole Porter’s portrait marks James Jones’s retirement from the role and celebrates a career that has earned him the respect of the city, not least through his chairmanship of the Hillsborough Independent Panel. The 27-year-old, who has her own gallery and studio in King Street, Aberdeen, was invited to apply for the commission and made it through four judging rounds before being selected. Her first sitting with the bishop took place in February and, in the six months that followed, she spent many hours with her subject, staying in the bishop’s lodge and getting to know the man behind the dog collar over the breakfast table and bedtime cuppas. On the streets of Liverpool, she was left in no doubt about the esteem in which he is held. “When I went anywhere with him, people would come up and thank him for everything he had done for the city,” she said. “They are so proud of their bishop and grateful for his work. “I knew I had to do him justice. This portrait isn’t just about marking some tradition, it’s to honour someone who is genuinely loved.” The painting was unveiled to almost 3,000 people, including families of victims of the Hillsborough football tragedy, a the bishop’s farewell service at Liverpool Cathedral and will be on display there for the next nine months before being hung in the lodge. Guests at the ceremony were full of praise for her portrayal of her subject. The man himself said the felt it was “a glory to God” – a compliment Miss Porter will treasure forever. In terms of prestige, the portrait is the biggest achievement to date for the former Ellon Academy pupil, who graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee in 2008 before studying in Norway, Paris and New York. Even grander in scale is her current project – a 10ft by 7ft painting to mark the forthcoming Scottish independence referendum. “I like the idea of paintings reflecting history and this is a pretty significant event, so it felt appropriate to do something big,” she said. “It’s in my studio so people can drop in and watch me working on it.”

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