This week I spent several days being filmed by the BBC for a programme to be aired in August. It is one of a six part series showing ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The idea is to rise awareness of the Skanda Vale Hospice, Wales, so as to attract more volunteers to allow them to move towards being a 24 hour service available all week (I believe that is called 24/7). That way, people can avoid dying alone and family members can get bereavement support.
I spent the days of filming being captured having reflexology, eating meals, painting and visiting elephants at an associated ashram. The last was an amazing experience, feeding elephants fruity and equine treats, and receiving an elephant blessing.
The six of us staying at the hospice, not all cancer patients, enjoyed the elephant experience enormously. The mood in the mini-bus on the way back to the hospice turned a little sombre, however, when somebody posed the question as to how many of us will still be alive to see the August screening. I refused to take the question on board, as I will otherwise think myself into an earlier grave. I must admit, however, to feeling rather slower than I felt just a month ago. I do, however, feel the I am helped rather more by a positive mood than a negative one. So, I am determined to think myself into being alive to see the showing.
I cannot remember what paintings I have posted, and so am posting a generic one called Woodland Walk. It was not painted this week. I hope you enjoy it.
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BrentW
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I am afraid I don't have a telly and so am out of touch with related technologies, Koco. However, I am told that it will be on BBC iPlayer, whatever that is. Might somebody enlighten me?
TBH Brent, my jaw dropped at seeing “ this “ work . Tho I can’t say outright that I love it more than your others, but , to me, it jumps out that your skill and technique have lept ahead by volumes. It’s almost shocking to see it. Very impressive buddy, you rock.
Well besides TA and Randy , it doesn’t seem like we have many celebrities on here , so your presence is pretty kewl, BBC is no wanker.
Also, I still can’t thank you enough for sharing your hospice journey with us, I know yours is pretty amazing with ashram , fine arts and elephant texture , I guess I’ll be riding back in “ coach “ ….. maybe they’ll have one of those roving therapy dogs visit mine , maybe a coloring book …rotflol….. possibly a terrarium with a couple of lizards , or parakeet in a cage. 😂😂😂😂
Keep it coming big guy, your hospice story belongs in a book or something…. Every time you post, it just seems even more amazing. I’m stunned.
I don't remember seeing this painting. Love the vibrant green! Your hospice is amazing. Really enjoyed Kal's description of possible hospice vs yours...what wit. My mother's hospice folks brought a cat to her house. No comparison to elephants!
Believe me, I know how lucky I am, and how much the access to the elephants (and horses, donkeys, deer, woodland running wild) helps to lighten my mood. As the trip back in the bus demonstrated, however, one has to be open to the experience, otherwise a sombre mood will set in, leaving one vulnerable. At home I have two cats, one of whom is friendly. I treat them as being Little People, aged about, say, 3 years old in human terms, but with their own mannerisms and characteristics. Treat them that way and positivity will set in. Just say'in
I think probably nearly all of us fortunate enough to make it to hospice ( and not pass before, from a adt stroke or s.e. heart attack first ) really are apprehensive about what being in hospice will be like for us. and , of course, your experience wouldn’t necessarily represent the average pedestrian experience down at good ole Kaiser …….. But …
the great service - benefit that relating your experiences , to your brothers here , is that a hospice stay can be beautiful and very supportive ( not even mentioning the excellent pain management available there for those of us needing it ) and it’s not necessarily something filled with dread or foreboding focused on death. I wanna be like Brent and I’ll bet lots of other brothers here would as well. Thank you Brent , again, I hope you will continue to contribute in your amazing way. ( just say’in lol )
Hi Brent. Your tree painting (to me) seems full of places to look for treasures. Kinda like every day spent on the Earth. We’re on limited time and some embrace each moment. Big hugs from Phuket, Thailand.💜
"... cannot remember what paintings I have posted, and so am posting a generic one called Woodland Walk."
Your bio page shows your paintings going back 9 months to when you started. I enjoy the sense of space, depth, detail and realism in Woodland Walk. So hard to do in watercolor.
Lovely painting, Brent, one of my faves so far (but they are all wonderful). I always look forward to seeing one of your posts pop up. Your hospice seems to be an amazing organization. I'm afraid ours are more like that described by Kaliber.😂
thank for sharing Brent, it sounds very special. Love the painting. Reminds me of the woods at Henllan. Good to hear Skanda Vale are working towards a 24/7 service. I might be needing it. It’s not far from me. Looking forward to watching the programme.
We are so impressed by the quality of care you receive at Skanda Vale… we looked online and found more information and videos about the elephants… magical..
Impressive that you can get to a positive place as much as you do..thank you for sharing your journey…
as always your piece of artwork is amazing. You are in the company of greatness- you probably have heard of the movie Lilo and Stitch… did you know that every one of the background scenes were all watercolor paintings done by the Disney studio in Orlando Florida. This was how they did the background in the classic movies like Cinderella and such.
The young artists didn’t know how to paint with watercolor and keep it from flowing into each other. They had to find the last surviving artist who had worked during that era in Disney Studios California to teach them how.
So I applaud you for your dedication to your craft.
Count me in, as well, as someone who loves this painting. I really like the shades of green. I did not realize that your hospice is not 24/7. What days/hours are you there? I envy you the proximity to nature and animals. Hopefully, those of us over here will be able to see the BBC show when it comes out. Then we can ask you questions about it!
The painting was a fun thing to do, it being mixed media of gesso, tissue paper, acrylic ink, oil pastel, watercolour and granulation medium. It is not, then, the simple watercolour painting that it appears. But I loved doing it.
Regarding the hospice, there is an issue getting sufficient volunteers to open it 24/7. Hence the making of the television programme. We are hoping it will raise awareness not just for this hospice, but for others around the UK also. Ours was chosen because it has the elephants and so is most likely to generate excitement. I will let you know how things progress, not just for the programme, but for staffing also.
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