If Yoko has the right to stop me from painting she stops my life so where do you draw the line?

Joanne Shaw Artist

But Shaw, 26, has described Ono's reaction as "over the top" and has already completed another portrait of the former Beatle.

The original painting was due to be sold to raise funds for Dovedale County Infants School, Liverpool, which Lennon attended.

Shaw, from Castleford, West Yorkshire, painted two portraits of Lennon for the school after hearing it needed money for maintenance.

The school sent one to Ono as thanks for an earlier �25,000 donation - but Shaw then received the letter from Ono's solicitors telling her not to produce any more portraits.

"You should be aware that your deriving your drawing from somebody else's photograph would not be permissible in the law," it said.

"Because of other exclusive arrangements that Miss Ono has with others about using Mr Lennon's likeness in merchandising areas she would not be in a position to grant you the right to utilise your print for fund-raising purposes."

John and Yoko married in 1969

But Shaw has defied Ono and painted another black and white picture of Lennon, which will be unveiled at Clifton Park Museum, Rotherham, on 2 July.

Shaw, who has painted for the Prince of Wales and the Sultan of Brunei, described Ono's response as "totally wrong".

"An artist can paint whatever they want. It all started out as a generous gesture to his old school and it's provoked a bit of response from Yoko.

"I find it so sad that someone in her position feels threatened. I am not allowed to paint a picture of John.

"The only way they could object would be if I used the prints to promote a product. It just seems funny that she has gone over the top on it.

"If Yoko has the right to stop me from painting she stops my life so where do you draw the line?"

Prepared

Miss Shaw's agent Alan Black said the paintings had been done from several photographs Miss Shaw had seen in magazines.

"There isn't an artist going that doesn't work from photographs. We are not breaking the law as we understand it and we are prepared to stand by that."

He said he expected to hear from Ono's lawyers on Monday to find out if they will take legal action.

Miss Shaw's website describes her work as "photo-realistic" and adds that "accuracy is a priority".

Her paintings have been bought by the Hard Rock Cafe chain, the Bel Air hotel in California and Warner Marketing International, who used her work to promote The Doors' greatest hits album last year.

Last July, Ono sued a Tokyo underground operator for selling train tickets bearing a portrait of Lennon.