North coast B&B adds mural of Rory McIlroy overlooking famous golf course
The Bangor creative got to work on the colourful depiction last Tuesday after being contacted by Number 5 in Portstewart which overlooks the famous Royal Portrush Golf Club.
It comes as anticipation builds for the 153rd Open which will tee off on July 17 with McIlroy himself expected to take part.
Mr Lowry has left space to add the winner of the upcoming tournament.
'I have done artwork for her whole back garden. There is a giant wall that goes right the way around,' he said.
'I have done bits and pieces in the past. I actually did one last year for the North West 200, because the house is actually overlooking the track.
'What I have recently painted is a golf theme one, it is for the Open coming up.
'So, Rory will be up there, along with six other golfers. I am going to keep an empty space for whoever wins the Open in July.
'It is maybe about three or four foot high, and the wall runs all the way down the drive.
'The background is a golf course, along with sky and clouds. Then there are the golfers on each section of the wall,'
Mr Lowry, who began creating murals eight years ago, hand paints all his work and is reluctant to use sprays.
More used to brightening up children's bedrooms, he didn't hesitate to accept his latest commission.
'Usually it is indoor, so it is very rare I would get to do something outdoors,' Mr Lowry said.
'Nine times out of 10 I am painting baby things and cartoon characters. But every once and a while, you get to do something quite good, in portraits.'
But Ian's previous projects have included art installments for local businesses seeking to feature famous faces such as music legends Jimi Hendrix and Ozzy Osbourne, along with an NI boxing hero.
'I got one last week of Carl Frampton, that was at Integrated College Glengormley. That was actually the school he went to,' Mr Lowry said.
'That piece was in association with the Integrated Education Fund.
"Tim McGarry from Give My Head Peace was down to see it was well, because he is involved with the fund.'
The portrait of McIlroy, who laid claim to the iconic green jacket in April, also features other famous golfing faces such as Tiger Woods.
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