Free paintings from ‘inspirational’ Warblington artist cheer up NHS hospitals and care homes
HOSPITAL wards have been brightened up during lockdown thanks to an ‘inspirational’ Warblington artist who paints using her mouth.
Children spending time at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham will be able to enjoy colourful images of hares, turtles, foxes and more after artist Karina Vaile donated plenty of paintings.
Karina, who also donated canvas paintings to University Hospital Southampton and Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, has to work long hours to produce the artwork using her mouth.
This is because she has an incurable neurological and muscle wasting condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease which affects one in 25,000 people - but she refuses to let the pain stop her.
Throughout the lockdown, Karina was helped by her daughter Tilly and son Jacob, both recognised young carers, meanwhile eldest daughter Kiann who also lives with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease has helped with dropping the paintings off to the care homes and hospitals.
Havant MP Alan Mak recently visited the family at their home in Warblington to see the work and to thank them for their contributions to the NHS.
Karina said: ‘I was delighted to show Alan some of the pieces of artwork that I have been creating for the NHS and care homes.
‘It is wonderful to be able to show my support for the NHS and I hope to continue to produce more paintings for the NHS in the future.’
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Mr Mak said: ‘Karina is an absolute inspiration for overcoming her rare disease to produce these beautiful pieces of artwork for the NHS and local care homes. I know that they have been really well received and during this difficult time they will brighten the day of hard-working staff and patients.
‘The artwork produced by Karina is just one extraordinary example of the support and gratitude that local residents are giving to our NHS during this difficult time. On behalf of everyone in the constituency I would like to thank all our doctors, nurses, carers and other key workers for their continued dedication throughout the coronavirus pandemic.’
You can see more of the artwork produced by Karina by visiting kvaile.co.uk