Inverness artist paints portraits of world leaders to ease coronavirus lockdown boredom
AN Inverness artist is using his spare time during the Covid-19 lockdown to produce a series of light-hearted depictions of world leaders.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump are among the high and mighty lampooned in David Fallow’s mischievous creations.
Already popular for humorous pet dog portraits executed in the style of old masters, the 64-year-old turned his hand to politicians “to amuse myself” amid the coronavirus restrictions.
“What I’ve done with the world leaders is all a little bit tongue in cheek,” he said.
“What really started it off as an idea was the notion of ‘To see oursels as ithers see us’. I painted them the way I’d imagine they might think of themselves.
“With our friend Mr Trump, then, we have him in his coronation robes with ermine and everything else.”
Also featured among the works is Japanese leader Shinzo Abe portrayed as the shogun, the feudal Japanese commander-in-chief.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is depicted as a 17th century Tsar.
Boris Johnson, meanwhile, appears twice, as George IV in flowing Regency period robes and as a 19th century Spanish king wearing breeches below a slight paunch.
Dr Fallow, who normally works from a studio at the Wasps Inverness Creative Academy in Stephen’s Street, is currently ensconced in a mini-studio in his garden working on his depiction of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as Mary, Queen of Scots.
“It is supposed to be fun,” he stressed.
“These paintings are more to amuse myself and keep busy during all this, rather than annoy or upset anyone.
“At the moment I haven’t got a lot of work at hand, given what I do art-wise tends to be custom made for individuals.
“I also produce jewellery and I’m working on one big commission, so the painting is fitted around that.”
Each painting takes anything from a day-and-a-half to three weeks to complete.
Glasgow-born Dr Fallow, a former banker who has lived with wife Ann in Dalneigh for almost 10 years, previously completed a portrait of Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael, featuring three different poses.
It now hangs in her office, next to a large painting by the famous Sir Henry Raeburn.
