Reading artist gives out portrait paintings to NHS key workers

Marie, artist and Reading resident, has been creating portraits of NHS staff and volunteers to thank them for their services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

ALSO READ: Man who was barred from Shinfield pub after sexual assault among latest in the dock

She served in the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) before getting married to a sailor and spending 20 years as a Naval wife.

Marie said: “I began painting portraits for NHS staff when an artist called Tom Croft did a call-out on social media asking artists to paint the portrait of an NHS Key Worker.

"I did a portrait of my son, who is based at ICU in Huntingdon, and my daughter-in-law who works in the Blood Transfusion Department.

Marie, Reading artist

“I then offered portraits to NHS key workers at RBH, as well as the Vaccination team at Emmer Green Surgery.

"I took two photos of nursing staff and gave them their portraits on my second visit for my vaccination. The response was wonderful, and they asked me to do a group one in oils.”

“Painting the portraits gave me an incentive to get up in the morning! It really kept me occupied.”

ALSO READ: Delaying end to coronavirus restrictions is 'wrong', Thames Valley police chief says

She has now gifted 38 portraits to members of the local community, including local Gurkha women.

In her spare time, Marie supports the local Gurkha community as an English teacher with Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), the Armed Forces charity.

SSAFA Reading provides support and guidance to the local Armed Forces community, including a weekly English-language session for Gurkha women.

To find out more about SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, please visit: ssafa.org.uk.