Remembrance Day inspires Queen Charlotte Nursing Home artist Bill

Queen Charlotte Nursing Home artist Bill Lowe has astonished fellow residents and staff with his evocative artwork created for Remembrance Day.

His simple sketches of wartime planes, ships and troops were drawn quickly during an activity session devoted to Remembrance.

Sheena Samway, activities coordinator at the Kingsley Healthcare home in Chickerell, near Weymouth, said: “Other residents were making poppies and they were amazed to watch Bill at work, drawing so effortlessly.”

The 84-year-old, who lived in London as a child, said: “My love for art started roughly at the age five. I don’t remember much about the war but I know art kept me feeling positive growing up.”

Since he moved into the home a year ago, he has been keen to share his passion with other residents and inspire them to paint.

He said: “I still do my art so people feel more confident that they can too. If I can, anyone can!”

His talent as an artist has shone brightly in Dorset over the years in colourful murals adorning the walls of such places as Westhaven and Portland hospitals and the former Underhill school in Portland.

The retired painter and decorator used to run successful art classes and outdoor sketch groups.

As a young man he joined his father’s painter’s and decorator’s  business but alongside commercial work around the country he still found time for his art, painting a number of striking murals including one at the London Dolphinarium in the capital’s Oxford Street.

“While painting it I had to get across the pool to paint the opposite wall; as I paddled the boat it tipped up and I was a part of the display floating in the water,” he recalled.

“I also did some work on the Olympia buildings, this was an achievement for me as it was the tallest building I worked on.

“Coming back to my achievements in Weymouth and Portland, I have always enjoyed creating custom designs for customers, each piece of work is unique.”

He said his art classes were more about sharing his love for painting than teaching.

“I wouldn’t say I taught people because everyone can draw or paint, it’s just finding what style suits you,” he said.