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Tender Mercies

tender mercies killackey

About the Artwork

 

Janet Killackey

About the artist: 

“I have always been interested in art. I chose nursing as a vocation, but my interest in art continued to grow, in fits and starts, during my forty-five years in health care. I have worked in many areas of nursing practice and also in many mediums–charcoal, pen and ink, oils, watercolors and now mixed media. I feel that this piece reflects where I am now–merging my life experiences in art and in the practice of nursing, both of which bring a level of comfort and caring to others.”

About the artwork:

“I started this mixed-media piece several years ago and then set it aside. The model at the time was my fourteen-year-old daughter. I asked her to sit in my old nursing uniform. As my forty-fifth nursing school reunion approached, I went back to the piece. Much had happened in the nursing profession since the time my classmates and I had graduated. I was thinking about the connections that remained within our group and our ongoing relationships. I utilized different collage techniques with various sizes and styles of papers along with filaments and threads throughout. Sections of vintage dress patterns were used as part of the nurse’s uniform.”

Visuals editor:

Justin Sanders

Comments

7 thoughts on “Tender Mercies”

  1. Janina Aza Karpinska

    Stunning work. I so hope you are doing more such pieces.
    thank you for sharing your work. beautiful & inspiring

  2. Lovely! Both as art and as history. I so miss the white uniforms and yes, even the caps. I think patients still want their nurses to look the part. I hope you keep using your artistic skills to present the nursing profession with such creativity and beauty.

    1. I agree! Both about the beautiful work of art and of white uniforms and caps-however, we are an aging, few remaining! I still teach nursing, and most faculty, and all students, are unaware of how rich our traditions were and with the great reverence and respect most people thought of us with.
      Absolutely adore this publication and site. Again, beautiful, creative, and meaningful work of art–thanks for sharing!

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