A NETHERTON tutor picked up a top global award recognising emerging artists - at the age of 73.
Les Conroy scooped the honour for his portrait of soul singer Joss Stone posing as Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of Henry VIII of England.
The artist found he had won during a ceremony at the Acquire Gallery in London last Friday.
More than 1,500 hopefuls from across the world entered the New Art Originals competition. Les beat 15 people who were shortlisted and he picked up £2,000 for his masterpiece.
It took the art tutor, who works at Netherton Arts Centre, five weeks to complete the piece.
And when asked what made him think of the idea, he said: “Joss is a friend of my family and that’s why I did it.
“I’ve known her about six years. Joss has seen the painting and she raved about it.
“It took me five weeks to paint and I’m very proud of it.
“The competition wanted to find new emerging artist. I was shocked and delighted that I won.
“It was a great surprise and it gave me a fright.”
He painted the singer as the historic figure because she made her television debut portraying Anne of Cleves in the Showtime series The Tudors last year.
Stone, who performed at the Picket last February, has produced four albums and sold more copies than any other female British soul singer during the 2000s.
Article
