The sun has finally decided to shine and just in time for Claire Waltier MacGillivray’s third session as our artist in residence in Horatio’s Garden Midlands!
Claire once again safely joined patients on Tuesday from 12pm – 5pm, setting up her artistic materials outside for the first time thanks to the warm weather. With all of her worksheets, colour charts and examples of her finished pieces arranged tastefully across the table, it wasn’t long before people ventured over to speak with Claire and see what she was up to.
Among those gathered was a woman who had been inspired by Claire’s very first session. With Claire’s encouragement, the two sat beside each other and whiled away the hours painting and chatting, choosing to focus on capturing the delicate beauty of a Carnaval de Nice Tulip flourishing in the flowerbed.
Together they created beautiful works and they were sporadically joined by other patients interested in pursuing creativity. Whilst one man assured Claire that he would be attending next week when his schedule was a little less busy, another shared that having taken a photograph of one of her paintings he was now planned to reproduce it on a t-shirt; something Claire was taken aback and thrilled by!
Everyone really appreciates Claire’s presence and this week her visit was made all the more special with the arrival of the garden’s designer, Bunny Guinness, who was visiting the sanctuary with our Founder & Chair of Trustees, Dr Olivia Chapple, and our Arts Programme Coordinator, Evie Redwood now that restrictions have eased.
It was certainly a happy day for everyone in Horatio’s Garden Midlands and with the weather set fair, the haven will only continue to be a hive of wonderful activity, with Claire right there at the heart of it all.
