An artist’s way to say thank you
A Paisley artist has spearheaded a nationwide project that thanks frontline workers for their devotion during the covid pandemic.
Lorna Pirrie is one of nine artists who are painting free portraits, landscapes and artworks for those who have delivered lifeline care and support.
The Frontline Workers Thank You Project aims to recognise and reward NHS workers, paramedics, care home workers, postmen, police officers and the countless volunteers who have delivered food and medication to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Lorna was inspired to launch the initiative after learning g about a similar project in England, created by renowned artist Tom Croft. She contacted the Line Gallery, in Linlithgow, to see if they would be interested in inviting their contributing artists to take part.
“What better way to thank someone than to give them a piece of original art?” Lorna said.
“There wasn’t much else I could do throughout the pandemic. This is something heartfelt that I could offer people, that’s the best way I know to express how I feel.
“Not everyone has the ability to touch someone’s emotions, to have that intimate interaction with another human being through art.
“I feel like if you have this ability, why not use it in this way at such a poignant time?”
To date, Lorna – who recently moved t to Paisley from the Highlands – has p painted staff nurse Barry, who works at th the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh a and Georgia, a theatre nurse at St John’s in L Livingston.
A third pencil portrait depicts care worker C Carrie with her son Euan.
Carrie said: “I couldn’t believe it when I w was presented with the portrait drawn by L Lorna. She is a talented artist, so I was very o overwhelmed, but extremely touched that s she would use her free time to draw me and m my son Euan.
“He and my family kept me going during a very tough time for everyone and I feel h honoured to have such a beautiful piece o of art to represent this.”
A total of nine artists have joined the project and a number of portraits have already been commissioned and presented to their delighted subjects, including posties, police officers, NHS staff and care home workers.
An exhibition of the collected works from the project is pencilled in for next spring at The Line Gallery.
In the meantime, the artists are still taking commissions and the frontline workers who already have their portraits will be able to enjoy their unique artworks that mark a year to remember in Scotland.
Gail Boardman, of The Line Gallery, said: “The Line is proud to play its part in saying thank you to all of those who have kept the world turning during lockdown and beyond.
“Health workers and police officers, gas and electricity technicians, painters and joiners, shop workers and delivery drivers – and, of course, the volunteers who have put hours and hours into meeting the very basic social and shopping needs of those who were unable to get out themselves – all of these people deserve our gratitude.
“The artworks and the forthcoming exhibition allow artists and ourselves to say a big thank you in the language we best understand – through art.”
● For more information about Frontline Workers Thank You Project, visit www. facebook.com/frontlinethankyouproject
This is something heartfelt that I could offer people