Paralympians captured on canvas

CREATION: Whangarei Paralympics double gold medallist Cameron Leslie checks out his portrait created by artist Amber Gabrielle Stephens (left) at the launch of the Spirit of Gold Collection in Auckland on Thursday.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Two Northland Paralympians have been immortalised in oil after their images and sporting success were captured by artist Amber Stephens.

In Auckland on Thursday Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) unveiled the Spirit of Gold Collection in the presence of Prime Minister John Key - a series of 12 artworks by Stephens featuring some of New Zealand's most high profile summer and winter Paralympians and Para-Athletes, including Whangarei's Cameron Leslie and Dargaville's Emma Foy, who now lives in Cambridge.

Leslie is a double gold medallist and para-swimming world record holder from both Beijing 2008 and London 2012 and is a strong contender to make the team for the Rio Paralympics next year. Foy is a World Champion Para-Cycling tandem prodigy.

PNZ said the innovative project is a unique combination of art and sport and Stephens has created the artworks to showcase the depth of talent across Para-Sport in New Zealand.

Leslie said Stephens met him a few times and they 'chewed the fat' over what motivated him, including the choice of music he uses to train to. She took some photographs and went away to do the painting, which he said has totally captured his character.

"The first time I saw it was when it was unveiled (on Thursday). It's quite bizarre to see yourself on canvas, but she has done a great job. She has really captured myself and all the other Paralympians perfectly," Leslie said.

"It's a different way of promoting the Paralympics and Paralympic athletes. It's the first time I've been involved in anything like this so didn't know what to expect, but once I met Amber and saw her other works, she's such a great artists I had total faith in her."

The artworks are on display in Auckland, but in the new year will tour the country. PNZ has partnered with the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce to take the Spirit of Gold Collection Tour to 10 centres around the country, including Northland, ahead of Rio 2016. A date and venue have yet to be set.

After the tour the collection will be auctioned during a planned 'send off' event in June or July to mark the team leaving for training camps ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, from September 7-18.

"In New Zealand we have a lot to be proud of - our team finished number one in the world for medals per capita (in London) however not many Kiwis are actually fully aware of that," Fiona Allan, PNZ CEO said.

Stephens said inspiration for the artworks was struck when she first met Paralympian, Sophie Pascoe.

"I was immediately taken by Sophie's unapologetic drive to meet her sporting potential. Following this meeting knew I had to use my artistic approach to capture the story and raise the profile of these athletes.

"I visited Paralympics New Zealand in early 2015 and worked closely with them, and the collection was born," she said.