Renèe is a nurse at Market Harborough Medical Centre and the fifteenth portrait in Lisa’s #portraitsfornhsheroes.
In general practice, nurses are said to provide 80% of direct patient care; The majority’s hospital experience begins and ends with a nurse. Building rapport with their recurring patients, nurses provide a highly attentive level of care. Curtailing this pandemic meant hospital staff were exposed to the very risks that the further public were desperate to avoid.
In 2020, several of Renèe’s regular patients passed away from COVID-19. Having also lost her mother in November 2019, Renèe struggled during this difficult and emotionally fraught period of her career.
She said:
“I will always remember this difficult time when we all fought this dreadful virus but I’d like the portrait for my young son, as I’m not sure he will”.
Renèe’s seemingly post-apocalyptic face covering demonstrates the surreal reality we experienced. This suspenseful portrait is highlighted by a strong and vibrant Pyrrole Scarlet foundation, as this nurse is fully armoured. Her robust exterior protects her from the increasing frailty of human existence.
There is an intriguing layering of textures and experimentation with light, including the grey line-work on this face shield. Leading downward, it emulates tears from Renèe’s eyes. The only visible aspect of her humanity, these accentuated eyes are ones of comfort and connection with her patients.
Lisa said, “Thank you for all you do for the NHS Renee! You are an NHS Hero!”
To view more of Lisa’s portraits of NHS Heroes and read their stories, visit her website.
A Painter's Life 