Remembrance 2022: Artist Lucy Freud leads poppy painting classes at veterans’ care home
Celebrated artist Lucy Freud led painting classes for residents living at Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton.
She visited the Surbiton care home on two occasions, for art classes which focussed on Remembrance.
Royal Star & Garter is a charity which provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia, and also has Homes in Solihull and High Wycombe.
Lucy is daughter of famed painter Lucian Freud, and the great granddaughter of eminent psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud.
During the first session, Lucy helped residents paint a field of poppies, using acrylics. In the second session, residents painted a sunset and silhouette.
Arts and crafts play an important part in life at Royal Star & Garter’s Homes, with activities led by dedicated Wellbeing Teams. Research shows painting can boost mental health and wellbeing, increase cognitive function and enhance motor-skill and co-ordination.[1]
‘Talented artists’
Lucy said: “I was amazed at just how talented some residents are at the Home, their paintings were beautiful. Painting focuses the mind and is very meditative, and I could see that with the residents during the sessions.”
‘I didn’t know I could paint!’
Resident Vera said: “I didn’t know I could paint! I enjoyed the session and think Lucy is a wonderful teacher.”
This year’s Royal Star & Garter’s ‘They gave their all for us’ Remembrance campaign highlights how young some of the charity’s residents were when they joined the Armed Forces, and looks at how Royal Star & Garter is able to give back to them each day through its award-winning care.
Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton is welcoming new residents. For further information on this, or to work at the home, please go to: www.starandgarter.org/surbiton