Julia Stanton has worked across Europe and America and chose Penrith for her latest challenge in which she created a series of oil paintings of the Hospice patients as part of “The Hospice Project”.
Julia has spent almost a year completing the paintings as she encouraged the patients to chat while she sketched so that each portrait could highlight the individual’s personality and movement.
She said of the project: “This has been a transformative and extremely rewarding project. I set up my easel in the hospice day room, and each week painted a different subject. I’ve developed a great affection for the people who come to spend the day and these portraits will be part of their legacies.” “The Penrith Hospice is a hidden treasure, a lovely friendly and welcoming place for people who are sharing real challenges, and it is staffed by the nicest group of people one can imagine in health care.”
Julia first became aware of the Hospice after her friend Lady Elizabeth Leeming, a Trustee of Hospice at Home, introduced her to the Manager of Penrith Hospice, Sheena Reid.
Sheena said: “We were thrilled to welcome Julia into Penrith Day Hospice. The patients really enjoyed her company and she has bonded well with everyone. The portraits are a real testament to the patients and their families and show that these are happy, content people who are going through things that most of us couldn’t even imagine.”
Joyce Davies was the first Hospice patient to be painted by Julia, and the occasion also marked her 90th birthday.
Joyce said: "When I was asked if I wanted my portrait painting, I was interested because it is an unusual and unique way of commemorating my 90th birthday. I was absolutely amazed how Julia had achieved such a good likeness in a very short time, and I am really pleased with the finished portrait – it will always be there as a likeness of me."
Paula, who was also painted by Julia, was at first hesitant about the idea: “I absolutely hate having my photo taken, so the thought of having my portrait painted felt horrendous, but I came round to the idea. When I saw my portrait today, I thought it was very good and I didn’t feel the same way as I do about photos.”
Julia, who now splits her time between the Lake District and America, intends to enter Paula’s portrait for the Royal Academy of Art’s Summer Exhibition in London next year. As well as gifting the portraits to the patient’s families, Julia has also promised all proceeds from her next project will be given to Penrith Hospice as a thank you to the patients and staff.