Not Bard! Impressive Shakespeare painting goes on show
An impressive painting of William Shakespeare by a Black Country artist has been chosen to go on display in The Bard's hometown.
It took seven weeks for Geoff Tristram from Stourbridge to complete his oil masterpiece.
It will go on display to mark the popular playwright's 400th anniversary of his death in his birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon in April.
Mr Tristram said the painting, which is in partnership with the town and district council's of Stratford, was a labour of love.
"I actually turned my friend into Shakespeare to create the unique look of what I wanted," he said.
"I hired a costume and the setting of Shakespeare's exact birthplace to do the painting.
"I thought of everything from the lighting to the desk and chair and I even learnt how to write as a Elizabethan for the bit where I painted on his scroll.
"It was highly researched and I took it very serious as Shakespeare is a world-wide superstar.
"But Stratford Council are really chuffed with it.
"It weighs two stone, so can't wait to see it actually on display.
"It was a labour of love - but worth it despite all the backache I entailed after locking myself away to paint it for seven weeks," he laughed.
Mr Tristram was contacted by Stratford Council bosses to undertake the painting after completing another job for them last year.
He has been a professional artist for 40 years - taking part in exhibitions around the Black Country including '40 Years of Watching Paint Dry' at Himley Hall in 2014.
The painting is intended to go on display in April at Stratford-upon-Avon's Town Hall.
