New Glasgow mural transforms veterinary centre in Baillieston

The mural, spray-painted by Glasgow artist Bobby McNamara, who goes by Rogue One, depicts a cat and a dog lying in a cardboard box.

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The work was commissioned by Beechwood Veterinary Centre to brighten up the side of the building, but it seems to be distracting its clients.

Russell Lees, clinical director, said: “I’ve got clients turning up slightly late for appointments because they are standing looking at it.”

Russell decided to spruce up the blank wall on the side of the practice to bring some much-needed cheer back to the Baillieston centre after Covid.

He said: “It came to a point where we felt the past couple of years had been pretty tough all around, both us as a business and certainly clients as well.

“And I was forever walking past the black wall and thought, we must do something with that wall.”

Russell and his partner Lee were inspired by one of Rogue One’s murals in Glasgow city centre and reached out to him do to the commission.

Russell said: “I remember thinking that mural was really nice, it put a smile on my face, and I wondered if we could do something similar, and that’s where it started really.”

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The cat in the mural is loosely based on Russell’s cat, Sushi, and the border terrier is a depiction of one of the veterinarian’s dogs, Connie.

Russell said: “We’re extremely pleased with it and the client response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I don’t think I've had a single person say they didn’t like it.

“Even when I’m just driving along the road it still catches my eye.

“I think, oh that looks nice, then I remember, oh we did that.”

The Baillieston community has been very supportive of the new public art.

Russell added: “We’ve had lots of comments from local councillors and various other community leaders. They’re super pleased with it as well.

“We are super pleased with it.

“There was a point initially where we thought it might be a bit frivolous, but we thought if it makes someone smile, and heaven only knows we need a smile, then I thought we should just do it.”

The mural is painted on the side of the practice on Glasgow Road.