The Provost of Fife visited Fire Station Creative to see the first of two works by local hairdresser and self-taught artist Craig Reid.
Craig has been a part of the Falling UP Together charity project for two years and this challenge of painting a high profile subject was aimed to take his skillset to the next level.
The piece started with a trip to the Provost’s home, with Craig able to take photographs of Leish, setting up different poses and lighting within a personal environment.
Detailing the process, Drew Walker, of Falling UP Together, said: “Once Craig started painting his project developed into two interlinked portraits – one of young Jim as the football hero, and one as the much loved and respected local politician and Fife Provost.”
The first painting is of Leishman on the day he scored the winning goal for Dunfermline Athletic against Rangers at Ibrox in 1972, the last Par to do so and a feat he hardly ever mentions!
The piece was handed over to him on Monday by Craig and the second work is currently in progress.
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Drew added: “It is a larger picture, in which Jim appears as he is today. This painting will be finished in around a month’s time.
“Craig has always been a very influential participant in Falling UP Together, and his creative progress as a self-taught artist continues to inspire everyone.
“Previously, Craig’s other portraits created in our studio have been based on photographs of musicians like Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and David Bowie. Craig has also painted many animal portraits from photographs too.
“The big advance in Craig’s art-practice has come through working for months on big Jim’s two portraits, – providing the real-life context of being a portrait artist, working with a real-life celebrity.
“Falling UP Together feels that Craig is certainly at the stage of his artistic career, where he could be commissioned by other celebrities.”
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