An artist from Nottingham has unveiled a series of large artworks featuring Treetops Hospice staff and volunteers to mark National Hospice Care Week from 9th to 15th October.
Matthew Lyons from Beeston, created three group portraits featuring ‘people at work’ from across all areas of the end-of-life hospice including nurses, the hospice cook, a counsellor, and volunteers from the Long Eaton Treetops charity shop and gardening team.
The 53 year old is a figurative artist with a unique style of painting with oil, acrylic and charcoal on plywood. He recently took part in the Sky Portrait Artist of the Year competition 2023.
The portraits, which took seven months to complete, were unveiled at a special event at Treetops Hospice in Risley during Hospice Care Week, an annual event to recognise and celebrate hospice care nationwide. This year’s theme, ‘People at Work’, highlights those who work in the hospice sector #WeAreHospiceCare
Matthew said: “I’m delighted to present the portraits to Treetops Hospice, especially during Hospice Care Week which celebrates all the people who give their time and care to the local community.
“I’ve never painted such large portraits before so it’s been challenging to paint on this scale, but I always want to challenge myself as an artist.
“I hope that the hospice loves them and will hang them for the next 40 years!”
Treetops Chief Executive, Julie Heath, explained that the portraits were a wonderful way to help the charity celebrate their significant milestone. She said: “We want to say a big thank you to Matthew for the portraits which are such a special gift during our 40th year.
“We’ve achieved so much over the last 40 years which we couldn’t have done without the dedication and commitment of all our staff and volunteers. So, to be able to immortalise some of them in paint is wonderful. We will proudly display the paintings for everyone to enjoy for many more years to come.”
Videos featuring Matthew and the portraits in progress can be found on the Treetops Hospice You Tube channel online here.
This year, Treetops Hospice is celebrating 40 years of caring for people and their families in the local community. During this time, the hospice has supported thousands of patients with end-of-life nursing care and bereavement counselling.
For further information about Treetops services visit www.treetops.org.uk or call 0115 949 1264.