Twenty-five year old Georgia was Lisa’s fourteenth #portraitsfornhsheroes.
After completing a school work placement at her brother’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) School, Georgia knew she wanted to work in the health and social care sector.
Achieving a triple distinction in her BTEC, Georgia went on to do a degree in adult nursing. After qualifying, she worked in Maxillofacial theatres, specifically in plastics, plastic trauma, ENT, general & emergency, gaining an intense education over the course of two years.
During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Georgia was transferred to the Intensive Care escalation ward at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, which she describes as “a completely different experience”.
Painting Georgia against a ‘burnt sienna’ foundation exaggerates her warm complexion under the cooler tones of her medical uniform. The sharp outline highlights the subject against a pale background, adding a third dimension.
Often in this art series, there is a focus on the eyes of the subject due to various layers of protective clothing. This very recognisable disposable mask has meant the loss of personability; during this very intimate level of care, patients would imaginably be fearful of this inability to connect or identify staff members. However, the long-standing idiom, “the eyes are the window to the soul”, feels often true to life. Georgia’s youth, femininity and knowledge can be drawn from her eyes, as well as her cat-eye glasses. Lisa recalls the enjoyable challenge of recreating the colourful reflections on the lenses.
The artist also said:
“We are so grateful to you Georgia for all you do in the NHS. Where would we be without brave & dedicated souls like you? Thank you! I hope you like your gift, I enjoyed painting it for you.”
To view more of Lisa’s portraits of NHS Heroes and read their stories, visit her website.
A Painter's Life 