'Bispham Banksy' Adam Salisbury paints up a storm with 'inspired' painting of Captain Tom Moore

It's big birthday week for Captain Tom Moore and while he celebrates a 100th birthday, a number one hit single, and a staggering £28million raised for charity, one Blackpool creative has chosen to honour the occasion with a very fitting tribute and its gone worldwide.
Adam Salisbury with his completed artwork of Captain Tom MooreAdam Salisbury with his completed artwork of Captain Tom Moore
Adam Salisbury with his completed artwork of Captain Tom Moore

The army veteran’s charity mission to walk 100 laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire caught the whole world’s imagination but none more so than renowned artist and social media sensation Adam Salilsbury, whose depiction of the grandfather spiked a viral reaction.

Labelling his painting one of his most rewarding to date, the 31-year-old ‘Bispham Banksy’ said he was ‘truly amazed’ when his works and video of him in action were picked up on social media and shared and viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.

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His short video was shared by the Pride of Britain Awards with more than 800,000 views.

The dad-of-two filmed and created a video of the two-day process and said it ‘just felt right’ to honour the man of the moment because of his connection to people during the pandemic.

Adam said: “I was feeling lost and struggling like a lot of people but then there was this 99 year old man putting himself out there, doing something to make a difference and I was instantly inspired.

“He’s been a beacon of hope and that was something I felt drawn too. It gave me the kick I needed - I had a large canvas I was saving for a different project and suddenly it

came to me, I’m going to paint Captain Tom instead.

Adam at work with his art at his home in BisphamAdam at work with his art at his home in Bispham
Adam at work with his art at his home in Bispham
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“He shares a birthday month with my nan who would also have been 100 years old this time and it just inspired me. I had no idea how far it would reach when I uploaded the video.”

Adam says he was even more surprised to find out within days of sharing the piece, Captain Tom had put his voice to Michael Ball's remastered single of Gerry and the Pacemaker's 'You'll Never Walk Alone", the track he had chosen to put to his video.

"We had chosen that song for my Grandad's funeral and as I was editing - it popped up in my head and I just thought it's perfect. I played it for my mum and she welled up.

"It was just surreal, mental when we found out Captain Tom had then recorded the very same song."

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The artist, who has documented his own struggles with anxiety said being able to immerse himself in creativity had massively helped with his own well-being.

He added: “I create my best work when I’m driven, I just immerse myself in my own world, headphones on, music, motivational tracks and paints in my studio - my mum has converted the lounge for me now!.

“It took me two days, I started at 4am and that was it - head down and grafted. I uploaded it in the afternoon and the next thing it was being shared in America, Asia, New Zealand -it went absolutely crazy."

The painting has been retweeted on Captain Tom's Twitter page and Adam says it would be the 'icing of the cake' if the art could help raise even more money for charity.

View Adam’s art visit @adam_salisburyart.

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