Looking in

Michael Gaskell grew up in St Helen’s, and has lived in Burngreave with his son since 1991. For the past 5 years he has made a living as a painter, selling his work through a London dealer, often for several thousand pounds each. Michael is pleased with his success, but ‘feels a bit uncomfortable’ with it too; ‘I hate the selling thing’, he admits, ‘my dealer generates all the prices, he asks for all the money. I would never have the confidence or the nerve to do it really’. Last year Michael entered the National Portrait Gallery competition with a painting of his Grandad, John Patrick. The portrait is one of three award winners, selected from over 600 entries, and is on display at the Millennium Galleries in town until January. To Michael’s dismay, half way through painting, his Grandad bought a new pair of glasses, ‘25 years he’s had those glasses’, he laughs, ‘I had to make him put his old glasses back on because he looked so different’. ‘After his heart attack he was really ill for months, so I’d take photographs of him looking and jot things down, but I could only do it for 4 minutes literally, because he just couldn’t sit there’. In the end, Michael’s Grandad liked the picture, ‘He looked at it for ages’ and he said, ‘That’s me’, which I thought was as good a compliment as you could get really’. Will he sell this one? ‘No. I can imagine in 20 years time being really pleased that I did it and that I’ve got it - I think I’ll keep it’. Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust have offered Messenger readers a free tour of the exhibition on Saturday 1st December at 2pm. If you would like to go, ring Kim and leave a message on 2782641 to reserve a place.