John Bellany (1942-2013)

Today's the day ........................... for an original

This is a pencil sketch by the Scottish artist John Bellany  and it was given to my brother Ron as a gift by the artist himself.

Before he retired, Ron was a Consultant Physician at one of the hospitals in Edinburgh - and for a while, John Bellany was one of his patients.  He was really very ill with pneumonia when he was admitted but gradually his health did improve.  He spent most of the time in his hospital bed - drawing and sketching the characteristic portraits that he is famous for.  Then one day, he gave this one to my brother for his wife Margaret - after hearing that she was an admirer of his work. 

John Bellany was eventually well enough to be discharged from hospital.  Some time later, however, he suffered a heart attack and died on 28 August 2013.  This picture now hangs in Ron and Margaret's house - a very special gift from a modest and generous artist .........................