Some Art at the Hospital Ward

to spread hope and happiness

A year ago, I had the pleasure to give a private online art lesson to the nurse, and artist-to-be Valerie George for an introduction to acrylics.
She is part of my students who I invited to participate to the online exhibition which I have organised as an opportunity to reflect on their creative journey during the pandemic. Seventeen artists answered the call. Valerie is one of them.

On Saturday 5th June, we celebrated the live launch of the exhibition which you can visit here. Everyone was welcome to discuss about their choices and their art. You can read their stories if you go to the gallery, click on the pictures so you have access to the slide with text.

We learnt a lot form each other, and Valerie George’s testimony was so touching that I proposed her to highlight her story in this article.

Thank you so much Valerie for sharing your experience and for your dedication to bring happiness around you.

Valerie George’s Art Journey.

“Up until March 2020 I had always enjoyed my career as a Nurse. It was always what I wanted to do as a young girl because it meant I could help to make others feel better.

The arrival of the Coronavirus Pandemic in March 2020 completely changed our lives and unfortunately lots of lives were lost. I experienced colleagues, patients and their relatives being at a low point and needed some kind of hope.

I was then working in an out-patient’s department, but due to my vulnerabilities as a Registered Nurse I was seconded into an office-based role. I joined the Fit Test Team. This was a brand-new team in charge of ensuring all staff within the trust were fitted with the correct FFP3 Mask to ensure safety when caring for patient’s who had contracted COVID-19.

At this point I wanted to do something to bring some hope and demonstrate that people who were working/caring for patients at this time, were indeed very special human beings.

I remember going to Tesco’s with my partner looking for some flour, and the shelves were completely empty. It seems that people were taking up the hobby of baking due to being in lockdown.

For some reason I reflected on my younger years when I used to draw and paint and wanted to get this hobby back, but was not really sure where to start. I thought about getting advice from someone who I knew would guide me and it was here that I came across Art Classes with Nathalie. I signed up immediately for an art session with this lovely lady, and she encouraged me to experiment with the mixing of colours using acrylic paints.

One of the things I have noticed with my work is that I love the use of colours for brightness in order to enhance a sense of happiness to all who view my work.

I continued to go into work and listen to my colleagues on how their work was becoming so stressful and it was like they were crying out for some hope, comfort and love.

I started to paint Teddy bears, as I have always found them to be very cute and made me very happy. Many years ago I even started my own collection on bears of which take up my spare room in my house.

I wanted to paint bears to offer comfort to others and associated them with hugs. At the time of the lockdown we were not able to hug or touch our  families and loved ones. At that time and even now my colleagues at work caring for COVID patients needed and still need a hug.

I painted the bear included here on the right and sent my design to be made into badges. While designing my badge I decided to add the words: “ I give you a Heart Hug “ 

While undertaking my role I would wear one of my badges on my uniform to bring some happiness to my hard working colleagues. The badge was quite popular and some people placed orders as it was their way of giving someone a hug.

One weekend I decided to paint for my colleagues. I chose to draw a nurse in PPE. This was surrounded by rainbows and hearts to show love. My piece of work painted onto canvass was then printed onto a metal plate and I presented this to the Chief Executive of the Hospital trust. I attended an unveiling ceremony and it was placed up next to the Staff Restaurant for all to see. The picture is loved by so many people and I still pass it on my rounds at work and feel so proud to have contributed in my own way.

Well, I did not stop there I am now awaiting the unveiling ceremony of another piece of art work to go up in a Children’s ward. I have been told that the Trust will pay for my work which is amazing news. It will be quite a big project and so we are working on a location for it so that the children can really enjoy and interact with it. Again, it will be placed onto a metal plate so that the children can touch the picture and if need be, it can be whipped cleaned.

My next piece of work following this will be done by using a photo. So, let’s hope this is another success that will be mounted on my own wall in my home.

To be honest my journey with my art work has been both amazing and rewarding and if it helps to make other happy and hopeful I will carry on with my work.”

Valerie George.