
Shany Hagan, who has lived in York for more than 20 years, had eye surgery during the Covid lockdowns and decided to start painting again, despite not picking a paintbrush up for 33 years.
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Shany says she was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore to support charities during the pandemic.
Shany with former jockey Bob Champion and a painting she did for him Some of her work, featuring well-known celebrities, goes on to be sold at auctions to raise vital funds for charities such as Parkinsons UK and children’s cancer charities.
Now, following the death of singer Ozzy Osbourne aged 76 in July, she was inspired to paint a portrait of him for his family.
Ozzy had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019.
Shany Hagan’s portrait of Ozzy Osbourne during production (Image: Supplied) Shany, 56, said: “On Saturday, I’ll be taking the portrait to the Sabbath Bridge in Birmingham so fans can sign the back of it with messages for his wife, Sharon and the family.
“The portrait will eventually be given to the Osbourne family as a gift from his fans, a way of saying thank you.”
Ozzy Osbourne As frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene – a deeper, darker offshoot of hard rock.
His theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat, and styling himself as the Prince of Darkness, marked him out as a controversial figure.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs, including factory work, before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands.
In the past Shany has painted portraits for charity of Queen Elizabeth II, the King, Spice Girl Mel B, former BBC television presenter Harry Gration and film star Johnny Depp.
She has also painted actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson using tea for Sheffield hospital’s children’s ward.
Shany at home in York (Image: Charley Atkins/SWNS) As The Press has previously reported, Shany, who spent two decades working as a business development manager, earning £50,000 a year said she was fed-up of the high-pressure role, constant targets and “Sunday scaries”.
So this year, after the menopause forced her to deal with hot flushes and brain fog, she handed in her notice to concentrate on her art.
Shany with some of her previous work (Image: Newsquest)