“Colour kept me going”

I started painting about 30 years ago.

My husband — Lord have mercy on him — had a head injury in a car accident. He never really came back to know where he lived or who he was. After Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, he came back down to Galway and I put an extension onto our house. I nursed him there for 19 years.

I had staff helping — physiotherapists, nurses, carers — because there were hoists and everything involved. I was still working my nursing shifts at the time, two nights a week, and later three when we needed it financially. I’d work the nights and then come home and mind him. We just kept going.

How Painting Became My Anchor

One day my neighbour across the road told me she had started art classes in the Paintbox. She said, “Come on in.” So I did.

And I loved it.

I started with oil on canvas. Oil suited me because if you make a mistake, you can go over it. White paint is great for covering things up. That was reassuring. I kept at it — and it kept me going while I was minding my husband.

Colour is what hit me.

I also travelled with garden clubs — visiting flowers all over the world. Japan was my favourite. Seeing gardens, flowers, colours — that stayed with me. When you’re caring for someone for 19 years, lifting, feeding, turning with a hoist — you have to keep your own head going. Painting helped me do that.

I paint a little bit every day. It takes weeks to finish a painting because oils need time to dry. I love mountains, nature, Croagh Patrick, flowers, robins. There’s always colour.

If I wasn’t painting, I don’t know what I’d be doing. It gives me security. When I’m painting, I feel steady. It’s very good for your head.

I’m starting to look at watercolour now — though that’s a different challenge. With oil, you feel safe. With watercolour, it can run and dribble. But sure, I’ll try it.

An Exhibition With Meaning

When I had my exhibition at the Town Hall Theatre, I never expected that at all. I had only ever been there before for pantomimes — I was chairperson for two years and involved in all that organising. But to have my own paintings there? I never imagined it. The exhibition was organised to help raise funds for Galway Hospice, which made it even more special to me.

My family were so proud. That meant everything to me.

The reason I chose to support Galway Hospice is because of my sister, who died of cancer, and my friend Rosemary, who also died. They stand out for me. My husband’s two sisters died of cancer as well. The hospice cared for them, and it means an awful lot.

Colour, Community and Care

The hospice is not just a place of endings. It’s care. It’s surroundings. It’s nurses and staff who have to be able for all of that care. It is part of the community.

And I think art should be part of that. Colour is important. Flowers are important. Colour helps people.

I’ve given paintings away to places where older people can go and learn and meet. I don’t mind giving them. If it brings a bit of colour somewhere, that’s enough.

You take me as you get me. I just picked up the paintbrush and said I had to be doing something.

Colour helped me through what I had gone through.

And I’m still painting.

– Lily Hughes