There’s no escaping the current situation with Covid-19 and the impact it has had and is having on our everyday lives but out of the challenge, isolation, loss and fear, many positive things have emerged. One being the appreciation for things and people, previously taken for graunted. Many artists and businesses have been offering workshops, resources and special offers to help us all get through.

I’ve especially loved seeing the artists community pulling together and being creative in ways of staying connected, inspired and supporting each other.

This portrait is of Haleema, one of our NHS keyworkers, completed in oils on stretched canvas. It was painted as part of an initiative called #portraitsfornhsheroes set in motion by artist, Tom Croft. The idea is simple: to celebrate and bring a bit of joy to our NHS heroes who are working on the frontline, fighting to keeping us all safe during this Covid-19 situation.

It’s nice to know the workers being immortalised in paint will have at least one positive snapshot from an incredibly trying and emotionally taxing experience, that they know they are appreciated and valued.

It was a wonderful experience to create a portrait that represents a moment in history and the message I received from my key worker showed just how much it meant to her - and that absolutely means the world!

I have another Portrait for NHS Heroes commission on the books. Follow @artbynataliewilliamson on Instagram to follow along.