Tom Jones International

Moderator’s Note: It looks as if this will be part of an auction to help Macmillan Cancer Support — and excellent cause. You can check it out here.

Sir Tom Jones ‘very pleased’ with Welsh artist’s new portrait of him

WalesOnline

This colourful depiction of one of Wales’ most successful singers has been created by a cartoonist hoping to restore some pride to the South Wales Valleys and raise some money for charity.

Steven Samuel, of Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil, has created cartoons of famous showbusiness names to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Sir Tom Jones, Donny Osmond, and Bonnie Tyler are just some of the faces that the 47-year-old has painted as part of his “Big Portrait Project.”

He has also used his unusual style to depict celebrities from his hometown, including Julien Macdonald, Jeff Banks, Jonathan Owens and The Blackout.

The father-of-three said: “I first came up with the idea after the Sky News report that was so damning about Merthyr.

“By creating portraits of celebrities – many of whom were born in the Valleys – I thought it may inspire a sense of pride in who and where we are from.

“Considering Merthyr is such a small place we seem to have had a huge influence around the world – socially, politically, in the world of entertainment and fashion.”

The project also has a special significance for Steven who is aiming to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

“I lost my father Vernon to cancer on New Year’s Day 2011 and the Macmillan nurses treated him with great respect and dignity. I wanted to give something back as a way of thanks.”

“When I heard that Macmillan Cancer Support was the Mayors’ appeal for this year, I thought that it was the perfect opportunity.”

Steven has painted as a hobby for several years and recently presented a portrait of artist Sir Kuffyn Williams to Rolf Harris MBE.

He has since contacted a host of celebrities who have agreed to take part in the project.

“Sir Tom Jones has seen the picture and is very pleased with it,” Steven said.

“It will now be transferred to a very large canvas and will be displayed in the exhibition.

“We are hoping to get the celebrities to autograph their portraits which will of course add value to each picture.”