Donating a Painting in Honour My Grandad and Forth Valley Hospital
At the end of 2022, my grandad fell seriously ill and spent much of 2023 in intensive care at Forth Valley Hospital. It was a year of ups and downs for him and for my family, and despite the incredible efforts of the doctors and nurses who worked tirelessly to care for him, he sadly passed away on 1st March 2024.
During his time in the hospital, my family and I visited as often as we could. No matter how he was feeling, he always kept his spirits high when we were around. Being an artist, I’d often hear him joking that I should paint the hospital walls to brighten up the plain white surroundings he faced every day. That lighthearted humour, even in difficult times, stayed with me.
After his passing, I found myself thinking about how I could honour his memory and thank the hospital staff for their compassion and care. That’s when the idea came to me that I could donate a painting to Forth Valley Hospital as both a tribute to my grandad and as a gesture of gratitude to the nurses and doctors who had been there for him.
I reached out to Artlink Central, a charity that provides and curates artwork for the hospital, and shared my idea. They were incredibly supportive and helped make it a reality. After months of planning and creating, the painting is finally in Forth Valley Hospital, and I couldn’t be more excited.
The piece is 120x100cm, the largest canvas I’ve worked on so far. It depicts a mother bear surrounded by her three cubs in a forest—a symbolic representation of the bond between my grandad, my two brothers, and me. For me, the painting reflects family strength, protection, and love, themes that resonate deeply with our experience.
“For Grandad”, 120x100cm, Emulsion & Acrylic Paint, 2024.
The accompanying plaque reads:
“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.”
The painting will be on display in Ward B31. While I hope most people won’t have to see it in person, I do hope that for those who do, it provides a small measure of comfort during challenging times.
Pictured from left to right: Kyle Blain, Zephyra Durkin of Artlink Central and My Gran, Margaret Jackson
To further honour my grandad’s memory and support the incredible work of Forth Valley Hospital, I’ve created 50 limited edition prints of this painting. These prints are now available, and 100% of the profits will be donated directly to the hospital. My hope is that this contribution will help them continue providing exceptional care to patients and their families, just as they did for mine. If you’d like to own a piece of this tribute while supporting a meaningful cause, this is a wonderful way to do so.
Here is the link to it: https://www.kyleblainart.com/prints/p/bears-a3-print-all-proceeds-go-to-forth-valley-hospital
This project has been incredibly meaningful to me, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to honour my grandad in this way. It’s a reminder of how art can connect us, offer solace, and pay tribute to those we hold dear.
