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Latest News & Exhibitions
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Howard to paint Saint's greatest fan for Southampton (October 16, 2009)
I want to paint Saints’ greatest fan
HE has painted some of the Saints greats – but it was the controversial Pompey fan painting hanging in Southampton territory that fuelled artist Howard Mathurine for his biggest challenge yet.
Now professional artist Howard, of Eastmeare Court, West Totton, is searching for a Saints superfan to create a life-sized oil painting to bite back against the rival team.
The 47-year-old Southampton Football Club fan is determined to create a masterpiece fit to hang alongside the portrait of John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood in Southampton City Gallery. “I want someone with a bit of charisma, not someone with a bad reputation,” he said.
However, rather than grafting over the painting for eight months as artist Karl Rudziak did with the Pompey picture, Howard will put paint to canvas during his art demonstrations at the White Horse pub in Netley Marsh as people look on.
He said: “I could do a class painting as good as that if not better in about eight days. I’m not just blowing my own trumpet either.”
The artist, who displays his work across the country, has a long list of art to his name including paintings of footballers Ted Bates, Claus Lundekvam and Matthew Le Tissier.
Do you know a Saints fan who has what it takes to become a masterpiece? If so contact the Daily Echo newsdesk on 023 8042 4522 or email tara.russell@daily echo.co.uk
Pompey fan, John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood
LATEST UPDATE........................................................................................
Saints fans gearing up for portrait
THEY think they have what it takes to be Saints’ biggest fan.
Two born and bred Saints supporters have been nominated to be sketched by the artist who has painted some of the club’s legends.
Now professional artist Howard Mathurine will choose between 79-year-old Herbie Taylor or 52- year-old Martin Perry.
He wants to paint a picture to rival that of the controversial painting of Pompey fan John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood, which was hung as part of an exhibition in Southampton Art Gallery.
Herbie, of Swanmore, watched his first Saints game during the war in 1940 and has hardly missed a game since. He even arranged his wedding in December 1954 to coincide with an away game.
Herbie is also a stadium tour guide at St Mary’s showing off the club’s home.
He said: “If you want someone a bit different to Mr John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood, then how about plain Mr Herbie Taylor, lifelong Saints fan. I am red and white through and through.”
Martin, of Hedge End, has done everything he can for the club after their support got him through the life-threatening illness rheumatic fever when he was a boy.
His Saints heroes regularly visited him in intensive care and when he came out from hospital Saints legend Mick Channon picked him up and dropped him off at the stadium for every home game.
Dave Juson, Freemantle says...
7:35am Sun 25 Oct 09
bunneymen, southampton says...
3:10pm Sun 25 Oct 09
Herbie Taylor
Martin Perry and Antti Niemi
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I remember that Herbie loved the magic of the Dell and was quite happy with his centre west stand season ticket. But he was concerned that the club needed to be able to encourage the next generation. So when he retired in the early 90's he volunteered to help the campaign for a new stadium. An articulate man, he wrote to the press, appeared on videos, lobbied MPs and spoke passionately at city and county council meetings.
One of his proudest moments was being handed the keys to St Mary's when he secured the job of tour guide!
Although Herbie can't manage as many tours as he used to, the club still seem to call on him to escort foreign dignitaries and VIPS around the building; his knowledge and love for the club shines through. He's also much in demand for children's tours - always inviting them to run down the tunnel and imagine the roar of a 30,000 crowd as they do so. He's done this countless times and still joins in every time!