INTERVIEW: This artist surprised a St George's nurse with powerful painting

Nub News has spoken to the amazing artist who was inspired to create a painting for a St George's nurse after seeing her interviewed on BBC News.

Emily Watson, a Bath Spa University student, was inspired to paint nurse Hannah Packham after seeing her speak plainly about the stress she was under at work due to Covid-19.

"I wanted to focus on her eyes because they held such emotion in them," Emily told Nub News.

"I often think eyes can tell us more about a person than anything else."

Emily was struck by Hannah's words in the interview and wanted to feature them in the painting.

Hannah Packham, Junior Sister in the Acute Dependency Unit at St George's Hospital, previously told the BBC: "Our colleagues are more like family. You can rant and rave and cry and no-one holds it against you. I personally cry quite a lot when I get home at the moment.

"We are suffering with sleep problems – I think a lot of doctors and nurses are the same. You just have to relax on your days off as best as you can, ready and prepping yourself to come back."

Emily says she feels it is important to show appreciation to the people who are working throughout the pandemic.

"We could all say thank you a little more in our lives," Emily added.

"I think it's a small gesture but can really just brighten someone's day."

Emily says the wide-coverage of the painting is down to Steve Blundell, a man who has been working through the pandemic to raise money for the NHS.

Steve commissioned Emily to do the painting and managed to track down a way to get the painting to Hannah at work.

Emily insisted that she would not accept any money for the artwork.

Speaking this week, nurse Hannah Packham said: "It was such an unexpected present, and so kind of Emily. I also had a lot of staff come up to me when the BBC report was broadcast saying thank you for being so honest.

"It was all a bit strange, but I think it helped St George's get the message across about Covid, and what the impact on staff was."

The BBC report from St George's in which Hannah featured was viewed 3.2 million times on Instagram alone.

Emily said: "I would like to add a thank you to Hannah and all NHS workers for doing what they do to save lives and thank you to everyone for the lovely comments and support of my painting."

You can view more of Emily's paintings on her Instagram.

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