Young Artist Donates Painting in Memory of his Grandfather

Written By Kevin Harrison

Kyle Blain’s painting “For Grandad” now hanging on the wall of ward B31 in Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

Earlier this year we were contacted by a young artist named Kyle Blain who had recently lost his grandfather after a long stay in Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Kyle had spent a lot of time in the hospital over the previous year and he and his grandfather; Jim had often talked about how good it would be to bring some more art into the wards. After his grandfather’s passing, Kyle envisioned a painting which could last as a memorial to his grandfather and sought our help in donating the painting to the hospital.

The painting named “For Grandad” is emulsion and acrylic paint on a 120x100cm canvas, featuring a mother bear with her cubs in a lush Green forest.

Kyle had this to say:

“Dedicated to my Grandad - Jim Jackson, who was lovingly cared for by the staff here at Forth Valley Hospital.

The bear, protecting her cubs amidst the butterflies and flowers, symbolises the strength, love, and care that families provide for one another during difficult times. It is also a tribute to the compassionate nurses and healthcare staff who tirelessly support patients and their loved ones. I hope this artwork can serve as a reminder of the resilience, hope, and connection shared as we look out for one another”

It now hangs in the corridor of ward B31, the surgical ward where Jim spent some of his stay in the hospital, where it stands out as a bright monument and has already brought a smile to many of the faces who pass by.

Kyle is currently studying Fine Art at Glasgow School of Art, in his final year. He is local to Tillicoultry and has made a name for himself creating bold paintings with his own style; a mix of realism with an expressive edge. Much of Kyle’s work is based around music, with iconic bands and performers inspiring many pieces.

Visit his website here to see more of his outstanding artwork.

Kyle is also selling prints of this artwork with all the profits going towards the hospital. You can purchase these prints here.

Thank you for your generous gift to Forth Valley Royal and our community Kyle.

Kevin Harrison
Kevin Harrison is the Director of Artlink Central, a charity and social enterprise designing creative experiences in conjunction with artists, public bodies and led by disadvantaged or marginalised people particularly in health, social care or criminal justice contexts. . Kevin joined the organisation five years ago and was previously Arts and Wellbeing Manager with Sense Scotland since 2006, supporting a Scotland-wide participation in the arts for disabled people with communication needs. Kevin managed the development of a range of arts projects including Threads and Found in Translation, projects exploring cultural diversity and disability, and Leaving New Craigs, a life history project in Inverness for people leaving the last long stay hospital in Scotland. He managed a national arts and wellbeing team and supported the establishment of a strong creative programme in the TouchBase, a new inclusive base for people and communities supported by Sense Scotland in the south side of Glasgow. Kevin who has a degree in theatre and film from Roehampton University and who undertook postgraduate studies in Arts Management and Policy at Birkbeck University of London is also a trustee for Scottish Prison Arts Network, chair of Dementia Friendly Forth Valley as part of a Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) programme. Previous posts include freelance editor and administration roles with key national disability arts organisation, Shape Arts and public sector roles in Arts Development and as Business Manager, Creative Academy, Slough Borough Council, supporting a multi-million pound EQUAL creative industries inclusion programme . He also has experience of managing Music 4 Slough, a Youth Music Action Zone.
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