Art Gifted by Sam Burns

Sam Burns has kindly donated two pieces of artwork to the Arts for Health and Wellbeing Team. Sam is a Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Blood Transfusion at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and has previously showcased his artwork in the Winter Open Exhibition at the Hearth Gallery and the Plaza Exhibition Space, both at the University Hospital of Llandough.

“I have chosen to donate these two paintings to the Cardiff and Vale health charity as a small token of my appreciation for all the help and support the Arts for Health and Wellbeing team has given me. They gave me tremendous confidence in my artwork; that it was worth displaying for other to see and enjoy.

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I found art when I was suffering with mental illness, mainly stress, anxiety and depression. Being creative is my therapy, when my mind is consumed with negative thoughts, having that moment to allow your mind to focus on something positive, be it the paints, the colours, the textures, the subject matter. Whatever that focus is, it isn’t the negative thoughts. I find this time allows my brain down time, to process and heal. So far, being creative has had a tremendously positive impact on my journey with my mental health and overall health and wellbeing.

It will come as no surprise that I’m a supporter and believer in art for health and wellbeing, this is another reason I was drawn to a collaboration with the Arts for Health and Wellbeing Team at Cardiff & Vale Health Charity. I couldn’t think of a more worthy cause for my help and support. The work they do is an amazing asset for all of us to enjoy.

My art is inspired by the natural world around us. I find endless inspiration in the flora and fauna I see everyday. The two pieces I have donated are called, “Spring time sunrise” and “Summer time sunset”

They are in my own Flower and Bug style. The subtle pastel pink and blue tones of the sunrise, with the classic spring time flowers the daffodil. Then the bright warm colours of a summer time sunset, with the silhouettes of the bugs and flowers twinkling in the fading light. The symbolism of these pieces is the cycle of the sun, the marker of the start and end of each day in an infinite cycle and how this powerful energy seeds into all it touches either flora or fauna, helping them in their own continuous cycles of life and death.

I hope these pieces uplift all who see them, possibly helping them in their own time of need, allowing them some time to focus on the art and get lost in all the little details of the pieces.”

If you would like to read more about Sam and his artwork you can find him on Facebook at @OneEyedWillyArtwork (Art by Sam Burns.)

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