A West Lothian woman has donated 65 pieces of her late mother’s artworks to the Marie Curie charity, whose nurses provided end of life care for her mum.
Helen Burdon, from Murieston in Livingston, donated her mother Yvonne Hutchinson’s pieces in order to support Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal - which will display her work at an exhibition in Edinburgh.
Yvonne began her career as an artist in her 50s - her primary inspiration being the character and culture of East Coast harbours.
Helen said: ”When my mum died I inherited all her pieces. There were just too many for me to have in my house and only so many walls to hang them on.
“I knew she would want others to benefit from the joy her paintings brought.
“That’s why I had to give her one last exhibition, with funds raised going to Marie Curie. I know that my mum would have wanted that.”
Yvonne began a mixed media series of painting by accident.
Her colourful pieces came about when a broken wrist forced her to experiment with new ways of working.
Turning restriction into opportunity, Yvonne found a greater sense of expression through learning to live with the limitations of her process and materials.
Her work – A Sense of Belonging - is being exhibited at Colinton Arts in Edinburgh, with proceeds being donated to Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal.
On March 28 2019, Yvonne (76) sadly passed from a terminal illness, having spent three weeks at the Marie Curie Hospice in Edinburgh before going back to her home where she received care and support from Marie Curie Nurses.
Helen added: “The care and support my mum received at the hospice and at home was something I’ll always be grateful for.
“Mum wanted to die at home, in her own surroundings, and Marie Curie made her final wish possible.
“It was a comfort to me, knowing the Nurses would be looking after her through the night, allowing me to get some sleep so I could look after her during the day.
“They were able to sit by her side and comfort her. They really care about the people they are looking after as if it was their own loved ones.”
You can view and even buy some of Yvonne’s life works on exhibition at 52 Bridge Road, Edinburgh - or online here. (www.colinton-arts.co.uk)
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