ARTIST Rob Pointon has raised more than £3,000 for charity

through the sale of a collection of 40 portraits of familiar

faces.

The 25-year-old – who has made his name locally through his

paintings of buildings – captured the images of Potteries

celebrities.

The portraits were auctioned off in aid of the Meningitis

Research Foundation and the Burslem Arts Festival Group, at the

Potteries Museum And Art Gallery, on Saturday.

Rob, originally from Draycott in the Moors, completed most

of the portraits during a 48-hour marathon – spending a maximum

of 90 minutes with each subject.

He said: “I was hoping for at least £1,000, or to perhaps

sell each portrait for £50. To have doubled that amount is

great.

“I did this to challenge myself. I painted 38 people on 31

canvasses in 48 hours, and then I did the other nine on later

dates.”

The highest bid was made on Stoke City legend Gordon Banks's

picture, which raised £300.

Jim Baker, head of the faculty of art at Stafford College,

bought the paintings of former Apedale miner and charity worker

Keith Meeson, and Peter Harrison, of the Burslem School Of

Art.

The 60-year-old, of Church Lawton, said: “I paid £220 for

the image of Keith, and £100 for Peter's. I bought Keith's

portrait because I have a personal interest in Apedale because

my mother was brought up there, and I have other family

connections with the area.

“I was also very keen to support Rob, for such a good

cause.”

Mr Meeson said he was very flattered that so much money had

been spent on his picture.

He said: “All credit should go to young Rob for the effort

he has put in. It must have cost him a lot in materials, as

well as time.”

Burslem North councillor Joy Garner bought the picture of

her and her sister – fellow councillor Debra Gratton – for £50.

She said: “We wanted to buy it as a present for our mum. I've

never had an oil painting done of me before.”

An image of Burslem historian and Sentinel columnist

Fred Hughes generated £110.

Fred said: “I'm stunned and flattered that anyone should

want to pay that much for a picture of me.”