Artists During Lockdown
While the country may have locked down recently, our artists upped their game. Rising to the challenge with aplomb, they’ve used their time to get creative and bring some much needed moments of happiness to their followers on social media.
First mention must go to Nigel Mason, who got behind the #PortraitsForNHSHeroes initiative started by portrait artist Tom Croft, and painted stunning portraits for extremely dedicated NHS staff. It was only right that we used one of these poignant images as the front cover for this issue. Beth, Kathleen and Thom were the lucky recipients of personalised portraits from Nigel, and here’s what it meant to them: Beth Gibson, a community nurse in Camborne, explained: “I felt so lucky to have a portrait painted by Nigel. The painting was so beautiful and really captured a time in my life that was full of uncertainty due to Covid19. It is very special to me, because it reminds me of how everyone came together and showed real kindness and
compassion. Working as a Community Nurse during the pandemic was a very stressful and scary time for myself and my family, but it was also rewarding to be able to help reassure my patients who were also feeling scared and uncertain as to how greatly the impact of the virus would affect them. I would like to thank Nigel once again for his kindness and generosity, and how receiving such a beautiful work of art lifted my spirits and rallied me to continue nursing and be the best person that I could be.” Kathleen Macdonald, an NHS Scotland Radiographer, working at the National Hospital in Glasgow, said:
Nigel captured, not just a photo, but a moment in history. I hope to save the painting for future generations as a wonderful reminder of an uncertain time. I cannot thank him enough for this tremendous display of his wonderful gifts. I can truly say that I have been so touched by his act of support, despite my small offerings, in tackling coronavirus alongside my wonderful NHS colleagues.” Thom Petty, an NHS anaesthetist (and more recently an ICU doctor during COVID) remarked: “I’m a great admirer of Nigel’s paintings- there’s something very special about the way he manages to capture people. I was moved when I saw the portrait for the first time. The photo he used was one that a colleague took of me just as we were starting to see the
“When I received the portrait I was so overwhelmed by how
64 FINE ART COLLECTOR SPRING/SUMMER 2020
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