Havant builder turns hand to airbrush art and produces stunning NHS tribute image
A BUILDER who is unable to work currently due to the coronavirus pandemic has turned his hand to airbrush art and painted a giant tribute to NHS staff battling the deadly virus.
Jamie Gladman, 45, spent three days crafting the one metre high portrait on an aluminium panel.
The image depicts medical staff uniting and has a specially emblazoned Superman ‘S’ in the NHS slogan at the top of the portrait.
That sits above a picture of the world with the slogan: ‘Not all heroes wear capes.’
The Havant resident wanted to get across solidarity between NHS staff and patients, as well as the country, during the unparalleled crisis that has brought the nation to a standstill while NHS staff fight to save lives.
Jamie, who exhibits his airbrush art at events having taken it up as a hobby for the last seven years, said: ‘I’m a builder by trade but I’ve got plenty of time on my hands at the moment and thought I would paint a panel as a dedication of thanks to Queen Alexandra Hospital.
‘I came up with a few ideas after looking at pictures from artists around the world on sites like Instagram and then merged them together.
‘The face of the nurse in the middle shows her looking over the world - it shows she is caring for everyone, which is the vision I wanted to get across.
‘There were other pictures of nurses who are exhausted and are supporting each other, while there is the “S” for Superman. I’ve incorporated a range of images to get what NHS staff are going through and to show our appreciation.’
Jamie decided to undertake the painting after having heart surgery at QA in July 2018. ‘I cannot thank them enough for all they did for me,’ he said.
Speaking of his hobby, Jamie added: ‘I normally airbrush bonnets for cars, vans and campervans and do display pieces for car shows. I’ve been doing it for seven years now and really enjoy it.’