GARDENER John Legg is no longer able to tend his flowers and vegetables but he has captured his favourite place in a ‘medicine pill’.
The circular artwork was created using photographs of his garden flowers at different times of the year.
It depicts a place John escapes to in his mind whenever he feels low or in pain.
John was among 42 people to work with Rosetta Life artists through the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust to create an insight into their ‘personal medicine’, which boost spirits without drugs.
Their work, which has also been compiled in a new book, will be on display at the Mulberry Gallery at Weymouth Library until Saturday May 23.
John, 57, of Winterborne Stickland in north Dorset said: “My wife Anne does all the gardening now.
“I was diagnosed with Myeloma bone marrow cancer in February 2004 and in the same year I went to the Weldmar social group in Weymouth.
“It was the first time I ever knew I could paint.”
At the Trimar Day Hospice on Greenhill in Weymouth, John created his first painting of an avenue of trees.
Since then he has created a table mat study – also on display at the exhibition – of every home he has lived in, with his memories transcribed on the back.
Rosetta Life artist Tom Weld worked with John and the 41 other patients, family members and Weldmar staff on their studies and said it was a privilege to share people’s inner thoughts.
He said: “The book is actually called A Different Medicine but the programme is ‘medicine pills’.
“It was launched about two-and-a-half years ago and everyone at the hospice, including nursing staff, admin and kitchen staff was invited to take part. It involved making something and sharing it with the rest of us about what we do or think about when we’re feeling rough, in pain or low.”
All the pills fit in a 12-inch diameter circular frame and are usually displayed at the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester.
Tom said: “The methods used were very mixed – sometimes people worked with photos digitally, some painted on it directly, others are slightly 3D.”
The late Robin Dean of Dorchester created a pill of his ‘golden age’ as a cycle speedway champion, while others feature their families or pets.
A member of the nursing staff took a photo of the back of her horse’s head because she went riding whenever she wanted to escape.
The new book costs £12.50 and all profits would go to the Weldmar charity.
Also on sale at the exhibition is the book of poems, which was created by popular Weymouth musician Andy Arnold before he died.
Show them you care
THE Show Them You Care campaign has raised £4,103.20 since the appeal was launched on February 28 but there is a long way to go to hit the £60,000 target needed to pay for a community nurse for a year.
All the money will be used to fund a nurse for a year and pay for all of their support and expenses.
Donate by visiting webpage www.justgiving.com/weldmarnurse
Send cheques payable to ‘The Weldmar Hospicecare Trust’ to the Dorset Echo offices at Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XD
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