Art from the heart

09/07/2009

Painter creates tribute to Glasgow vendor and his dog

The heart-warming tale of a popular Big Issue vendor who was reunited with his beloved dog has inspired a Glasgow artist to capture the pair on canvas.

Painter Ian Rawnsley met vendor Matt Dawson after reading about his pet Spud’s disappearance. A Big Issue appeal for information last year led to a huge response from readers and Spud’s eventual recovery.

Matt and Spud, who have become Glasgow city centre landmarks at their Gordon Street pitch, happily agreed to sit for Rawnsley. “My wife is a real softie for animals, and once we noticed the story about Matt’s dog being stolen, she got into the habit of asking him if there was any news,” the 48-year-old painter explained.

“Once I got to know him, I thought it might be good to do something on homelessness, because it’s something I feel quite strongly about. It was a nice way to show Matt as an individual, because there are too many blinkered people that will walk by sellers without stopping to think about the person. Matt’s such a lovely guy and it’s no wonder so many people have really taken to him and Spud.”

Rawnsley wants to donate the proceeds of the painting to the Beatson Pebble Appeal, which is looking to raise £10million for a cancer research centre in Glasgow. Matt said: “He’s done a terrific job.”

To bid for the painting – reserve price of £500 – go to www.beatsonpebbleappeal.org.