NHS workers are having their portraits painted by artists as a thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sheryll Fox from Wroughton has taken up the challenge issued by Oxford artist Thomas Croft and one of her subjects is an emergency consultant at the Great Western Hospital who has been caring for coronavirus patients.

She said: “Portrait is something I’m particularly passionate about. I’m very interested in people, I’ve also worked in performing art, so I like characters and people. They interest me a lot and inspire me.

“So, when I saw the Tom Croft’s project, I just knew that I wanted to be a part of it, because I think as an artist you feel a bit useless in this situation. What can you do to help? And it makes you question your art and why you are doing it and does it matter.

“It’s way to give something back during this difficult situation.”

She has done two different paintings so far. One was of Natalie Whitton, an emergency medicine consultant at the Great Western Hospital.

Sheryll said: “I was contacted by two or three people after my first commission, but one lady stood out. She was just delighted and even said that it made her mum cry. She wanted something for children. It just felt like a really nice thing to do.”

Natalie said: “Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis we separated our ED into two and I’ve been on the Covid-19 side. I’ve also had to go full time which has been tough on my three kids.

“My husband is a doctor too, also on a Covid-19 ward. I’ve found Covid-19 patients really tough – especially not being able to have relatives here and talking to very distressed relatives on the phone and not being able to put my arm around them.

“But the team has been amazing, and my ED family has been resilient, funny good humoured and compassionate as ever. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. My job is a privilege and I’m trained and paid for it. I’m no hero, I’m blessed.”

She added: “The painting arrived, and I cannot tell you how much I love it. Thank you so much. My children are bowled over too and my Mum is going to hang a copy. A hugely generous thing to do with your talent.”

Caroline Day from Old Town is another who has joined the initiative.

She normally works in partnership with English Heritage. “ I am mainly a floral artist,” she explained. “A lot of the doctors and nurses are having to step out of their comfort zone, and I wanted to show my respect.

“Within my training I learned to portrait, but it’s not something I’m specialised in.”

Caroline set up her own project called Visual Art Swindon to support local talents and share their work on social media.

She said: “If I see anybody taking part in the Tom Croft’s initiative, then I’d re-share their work. This project is an incredible initiative in support of thanking the NHS.”

She painted Jac Dawson, a phlebotomist at the hospital who has had to shield herself due to respiratory problems.

“Jac was over the moon when she saw the portrait,” said Caroline. “I think she had a connection with this portrait, and it’s a record of this time and this world, which is very significant for her.

“We’ve had lots of nurses contacting us from the GWH. It’s lovely that we’ve painted nurses and doctors locally. They are amazing heroes.”

For further information visit instagram.com/tomcroftartist