An artist and former journalist has presented a portrait to internationally renowned war correspondent, Kate Adie.
Following a career as a print journalist and broadcast news press officer for BBC and Sky News, Stella Tooth, 55, who lives in Elers Road West Ealing is now gaining recognition for her work as a figurative artist.
Kate Adie’s unscripted reporting from the scene of the London Iranian Embassy siege in 1980, crouched behind a car door as the SAS stormed the embassy, inspired Ms Tooth’s resolve to become a journalist.
Stella Tooth said: “As a former Production Assistant on From Our Own Correspondent, I would hear correspondents like Kate pitch their ideas for their behind-the-scenes reports for, what I think, is one of the best programmes on radio.
“However what I didn’t realise until I painted Kate, was that she is partially deaf. It was a revelation to me and one I sought to incorporate into her portrait.
“When Kate came face-to-face with her portrait last Thursday (October 2) at the BBC’s New Broadcasting House, she said she found it flattering.
“I am now well on the way to completing my project to paint portraits of broadcast news presenters and have completed four out of five (John Humphrys, Kate Adie, George Alagiah and ITV News at 10’s Julie Etchingham) and I am currently working on Sky News’ Adam Boulton. My hope is that it provides an insight into the job they do, from the perspective of one who worked with them for many years behind-the-scenes.“
The BBC is investigating where there is a suitable space in the BBC NBC building for a small exhibition in the run up to, or just after, Christmas.
All portraits are painted from a combination of live colour studies and reference photographs.
Stella Tooth’s work can be seen on www.stellatooth.co.uk
