Camden Feature: When Islington artist Nick Botting was commissioned to paint actor singer Michael Ball it was with the understanding that the performer’s little white mouse would be included in the work.

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Published: 22 May 2008

Michael Ball as Count Fosco at The Palace, 46x46cms, oil on canvas

Camden Feature| Review | Article on Islington artist Nick Botting - commissioned to paint actor singer Michael Ball

Mouse heads for star billing

“WHEN Islington artist Nick Botting was commissioned to paint actor singer Michael Ball it was with the understanding that the performer’s little white mouse would be included in the work.
The portrait celebrated Mr Ball’s starring roll as Count Fosco in The Women in White at the Palace Theatre two years ago.
Now the Garrick Club has taken an interest in the portrait with a view to include it among their private collection of paintings on a theatrical theme.
The portrait, which measures 46x46cms, was shown earlier this month at Mr Botting’s latest exhibition at the Portland Gallery in Piccadilly.
The artist is of course delighted in the possibility that the Ball and mouse canvas will have such a distinguished home.
“I went along to the Palace Theatre each day for an hour before curtain call,” he said. “Michael was great fun to paint. The little mouse appeared in the show in a cage but I think Michael found stroking him during the painting quite relaxing.”
Mr Botting made his name painting cricketer Ian Botham but is also well known for colourful portraits of Chapel Market and the Prince of Wales pub close to where he lives in Sudeley Street, Angel.
But perhaps the most striking of his recent portraits, for local people at least, is Highgate men’s swimming lake with a solitary swimmer about to dive into its icy depths. This was also included in the latest exhibition.
He’s the winner of the National Portrait Award and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Roberson Award.
In 2001 he was commissioned by the MCC at Lord’s cricket ground to paint the English cricket team during the Test series in Pakistan.
Pinning down Botham for several days in it itself was no mean feat, critics wrote at the time, but the portrait was also well received by everyone, including the great all-rounder.
Mr Botting moved to Islington with his wife, BBC documentary producer Sumi Aden, from Belsize Park, eight years ago.

PETER GRUNER

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