A PURRFECT portrait created by a Greenock artist has been snapped up by a popular Still Game star after it was spotted at a Beacon Arts Centre exhibition. 

Mark Cox, who plays Tam Mullen in the BBC One series, fell in love with a painting of a cat portrayed as a fighter pilot which was designed by artist Bella Donna Aikman. 

Actor Mark said he spotted the artwork when he was at the Beacon for pantomime rehearsals last year. 

(Image: Christopher Bowen)
The portrait wasn't for sale - so he had to get in touch with Bella Donna to 'state his case' before he could get his claws into the creation. 

Mark said: "I would walk up the stairs when I was rehearsing and it was on the stairs, just looking at me.

"I thought it was enchanting.

"You could see the big eyes all the time when you was passed it, it was regal.

"Sometimes instead of going to the studio for rehearsals, I would go up the stairs just to look at it."

Mark said he was touched by the 'precious story' attached to the artwork. 

He added: "It was painted for Bella Donna's son and now it hangs in my son's bedroom. 

"I loved everything about it, the colours, the peace of it, imagining where it is, the big eyes and whiskers.

"It jumped out at me.

"It’s dynamite, it really is.

"A cat with goggles on, it’s a fighter pilot. It makes sense."

The portrait, known as 'The Cat', and 'What's for you, won't go by you', was created by Bella Donna during lockdown as a project with her son, James-Scott.

The whimsical painting is based on James-Scott's great-granny's next door neighbour's cat, who James-Scott formed a bond with. 

Bella imagined James and the cat, who James-Scott named Sparky, as a pilot and wingman and brought life to the character. 

The Greenock artist, who is a secondary supply art and design teacher in schools across Inverclyde, was teaching at Craigmarloch School in Port Glasgow when she submitted the painting to the Beacon's open exhibition. 

She initially didn’t want to part with the painting, but decided to sell it when she heard that it was a gift for Mark Cox's own son, Joseph, and the family's own two cats.

(Image: Christopher Bowen / Beacon Arts Centre)
Bella said having her work exhibited - and bought by a TV star - boosted her confidence and encouraged her pupils to pursue their dreams.

Bella Donna said: "I am honoured that such a well-known face bought my painting and that it went to a good home.

“Having my art exhibited at the Beacon has provided me with a space and a time frame for people to appreciate the true colours, lines, and patterns of the painting I painted.

"I was able to share my passion with anyone who stopped to look at it.

"Receiving positive feedback has helped boost my confidence as well as having the opportunity to be a part of the exhibition itself.

“I am now entering other paintings of mine into art competitions.

"It has given me the confidence and the courage that I suppose I've thought I didn't have."

The Beacon's annual open exhibition gives local artists a platform for their work, and is open to any artist in Inverclyde.

The Beacon's guest curator Fraser Taylor said: "Seeing Mark and Bella Donna share the joy that this picture has brought to both of them captured everything that art is for.

"It's another way that the Beacon lights up lives by championing culture and giving people an opportunity to participate."

The Beacon's summer open exhibition runs from July 6 to August 24, and is open to all artists across Inverclyde. 

Entry forms are available from Beacon Arts Centre.