Cheryl Cole

Pop singer

Painted in October 2008

Portrait was taken by Cheryl

I read that pop singer Cheryl Cole was giving a book signing event in London along with the other members of the pop group ‘Girls Aloud’.

I worked for 40 hours on the portrait over the course of a week then drove 100 miles to London for the event.

There was a long queue to meet the group and I had to wait in line for 7 hours.

As my turn came to meet her, I was going to ask Cheryl to autograph the portrait but when she saw it she looked stunned and asked if she could have it.

So I gave the portrait to her.

Unfortunately the security man noticed I was filming the moment she took the painting and he grabbed my camera, nearly strangling me with the strap as he pulled it off me.

As I was leaving, Cheryl said she would put the painting in her new home.

I gave Cheryl my business card but did not receive any message of thanks afterwards.

I later wrote a letter to Cheryl via her agent, to ask if I could have a message from Cheryl about the painting or perhaps a photo of it hanging on her wall, but unfortunately all I got in return was a postcard saying ‘Thank you for your letter, Cheryl loves to hear from her fans.’

Below is the film of Cheryl taking the portrait.