Death of Nicola Russell Top Ulster based equine artist, Nicola Russell sadly passed away on Monday 15th June at the Marie Curie Hospice in Belfast. She had been living with breast cancer since 2007. Her funeral will take place on Saturday 20th June at 11am at Roselawn Crematorium, Belfast. Nicola - a renowned Irish International Artist who specialised in horse paintings and portraits was commissioned in 2009 to paint a portrait of triple Champion Hurdler - Istabraq, owned by JP Mc Manus and trained by Aidan O'Brien, after a public vote as to the most popular Irish racehorse. The "Big Horse Painting," the largest painting in Ireland was unveiled at the Punchestown Festival when the artist was joined by the owner and trainer and an estimated 50,000 were able to view the work during the event, whilst the 13ft X 10ft canvas spent a period on display in Terminal Two of Dublin Airport. The artist was also commissioned to paint portraits of Bill Clinton, Mo Mowlan and Baroness Blood. Nicola also painted a portrait of the greatest ever steeplechaser - Arkle - which is part of the Irish State Collection. Meanwhile her painting of a "Wild Irish Colt" is part of the collection of Her Majesty The Queen. The world has lost a very beautiful, courageous, inspiring, and a massively talented woman whose artwork brought great joy and happiness to many across the globe. Nicola Russell 1964 - 2015, RIP R Mc K
