Chiara and Mozart

Georgia says: "This is Chiara. She is a Deputy Sister and Clinical Educator in the Cardiac Critical Care unit at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford.

Before she trained as a nurse, Chiara was a curator and cataloguer of ancient books in Italy, but she decided to change career so that she and her now-husband didn’t have to live long distances from each other. They live together near Oxford with their puppy, Mozart - who I couldn’t resist including in her portrait!

Talking to Chiara over email, I’m astounded by the joy and energy that she puts into her work - her love of helping the patients in her care and teaching colleagues is almost palpable. It’s been an honour to paint her (and Mozart) - this project has given me a new friend. It still amazes me that we were matched at random, yet both have a background in English and Spanish literature and working in museums. I'm looking forward to meeting in real life when we can!"

Chiara says: "This is me and Georgia, a nurse and a painter. We met under difficult circumstances and we found each others bound for life. Georgia was able to capture my essence and my being and she portrayed me with my source of happiness, the mischievous Mozart. We have had a lot of people showing their gratitude but this project artists built up for NHS staff not only gave me a portrait I am so proud and honored to have but it gave me a new friend! Thank you Georgia for dedication and thanks for following your love for art and believing in yourself!"