Tom McKendrick, a member of the prestigious Royal Society of Watercolourists (RSW), won the City of Glasgow College Award and the Glasgow Arts Club Award for his painting ‘Michael Kerr, Paralympian’.

The Clydebank man received the awards when he displayed the painting at the 134th annual exhibition of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour which opened in Edinburgh on Thursday.

He will receive two years membership of the Glasgow Arts Club and the painting will be purchased for the new City of Glasgow College art collection.

Tom met paralympian Michael when he entered Channel 4’s Portrait Artist of the Year competition. Michael was one of the ‘sitters’ to be painted by artists at the event.

Michael became paralysed from the chest down at 17 following an accident. But he took to wheelchair rugby, an uncompromising contact sport that frequently results in broken bones. He made his debut as a member of the British team in Alabama USA, in the 2006 aptly named ‘Demolition Derby’. At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, he made his debut as the only Scottish member in the British team.

Tom, from Drumry, said: “It was a great pleasure and honour to paint this young man’s portrait. At the age of 29 he has achieved much, deserving admiration for his courage and determination in overcoming the most appalling adversity. It is always inspiring to meet an individual who has a real story to tell.

“The portrait will be hung in the college where Michael studied. He’s an inspiration for upcoming students, especially students with disabilities. The award is great but the painting is where it should be.” The portrait of Michael marks a return to portrait painting for Tom, who completed a wealth of portraits after graduating from Glasgow School of Art.

The painter however earned his reputation by paying homage to his roots — Clydebank and industry.

Born in Clydebank in 1948, Tom became an apprentice loftsman in John Brown’s shipyard at the age of 15 after attending Brentfeild High School. He left John Brown’s in 1969 but the experience informed some of his most celebrated works including his exhibition Iron.