Artist's determination revives her passion

 

Having a stroke which paralysed the right side of her body didn’t stop Rand Aid Ron Smith Care Centre resident Ethelwynne van Eck from painting, she simply taught herself to paint with her left hand instead.

Ethelwynne has always been a passionate painter and art lover and has sold many oil paintings, mainly still lifes and flowers.

In 2015, she had a stroke which affected the right side of her body. “I was very upset because I thought I would never paint again,” says Ethelwynne.

She moved to RSCC in 2016 and decorated her walls with her favourite paintings. When Rand Aid’s recreation manager Debbie Christen saw them and discovered she was an artist, she spoke to Rand Aid Elphin Lodge retirement village’s art group, which invited Ethelwynne to join them as an art tutor and advisor.

“Although initially reluctant, I went along and met the people. They welcomed me so graciously.

“However, I didn’t just want to tutor other people. I wanted to belong to the group as an artist and be one of them,” says Ethelwynne.

She attended the group every week and was inspired by the other members’ drawings and paintings.

“I took pencils and a sketchbook and started training myself to draw with my left hand. I began by sketching simple shapes and, within weeks, found that I could draw again!  Encouraged by my drawing success, I decided to try painting in acrylics and watercolours,” says Ethelwynne.

She turned a corner of her room into her art studio and soon began painting with oils – her favourite medium.

“I started to notice the nursing and domestic staff around me and what struck me was their love of colour. This inspired me to paint figures based on their physical features and wearing the bright colours they love,” says Ethelwynne, who recently donated some of these paintings to RSCC’s Woodlands wing. “I have already decided where they should be displayed.”

When Ethelwynne was looking through her art history book, she came across cave art pictures which intrigued her. “I decided to start my ‘Animal and Cave Art’ series, which portrays cattle, horses, rhinos and buffaloes.”

Pictures of Egypt’s history captured her interest next. “This inspired my Egyptian series of paintings, with King Tut, Queen Nefertiti and the Queen of Sheba being my subjects,” says Ethelwynne.  

She was also inspired by the unique beauty of Nguni cattle and has completed several paintings of Nguni cows and bulls. Her children and grandchildren love these paintings, so she is adding to this collection. She also recently completed her ‘Ladies with Fruit’ series.

“After seven years at RSCC, I have mastered the art of painting with my left hand and am so grateful that my love of and talent for creating works of art has been revitalised. I can confidently pursue my passion once again. I feel I have developed and grown as an artist and it is wonderful to be fully involved again, with the one thing that has been my lifelong passion,” says Ethelwynne.

Dads celebrated in style at RSCC

 

A relaxed, pub-like atmosphere greeted Ron Smith Care Centre’s male residents in celebration of Father’s Day on 15 June.

The event, held at the care centre’s recreation centre, was thoroughly enjoyed by the residents who were served a beverage of their choice and bar snacks, such as biltong, chips, pretzels and snack mix on arrival.

Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s manager of recreational programmes, says residents were asked prior to the event what they would like to drink. “Heineken and Hunter’s Gold were requested, so we arranged non-alcoholic versions for them, which they really enjoyed.”

Highlights of the celebration included a Father’s Day poem, read out to honour fathers and father figures; a fun quiz on famous fathers, which saw residents with the correct answers rewarded with chocolates; and a series of BBC Wildlife video clips.

“Another poem was read at the end of the event and everyone left feeling relaxed and appreciated. Our residents had such a good time that they requested another pub social soon,” says Debbie.

RSCC newsletter: July 2023

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Support Tails and Whiskers this Mandela Month

 

Rand Aid’s Elphin Lodge retirement village and Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) residents and staff are calling for donations to support Tails and Whiskers this Mandela Month.

Elphin Lodge and RSCC kicked off their Mandela Month project on 7 June, when Sharon Blackwell, the founder of the Tails and Whiskers, and her team, visited the village and care centre with some of their animals and spoke about the non-profit organisation’s animal welfare and rescue work in various communities. 

Tails and Whiskers raises funds, via its charity shop and Saturday markets in Edenvale, to help and support several smaller animal welfare organisations in the area. 

These include Hellen White, a pensioner who attends to dogs and cats in poorer areas in Johannesburg South. Helen goes from house to house, feeding more than 200 dogs and cats. She also helps with medical bills, sterilisation and vaccinations for sick and needy animals, and distributes kennels and blankets for pets without shelter.

The organisation also assists Christopher Mynhardt who runs Edenvale Ferals, which feeds 800 cats. Edenvale Ferals has set up feeding stations throughout Edenvale and, to date, has trapped, neutered and released 359 feral cats back into their colonies. 

“After Tails and Whiskers’ presentation, residents and staff had a lovely time cuddling and interacting with the dogs and cats. For many, the time spent with these animals brought back precious memories of all the wonderful pets they have had in their lives,” says Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s manager of recreational programmes.

The village and care centre are now running a food and blanket drive for the dogs and cats and are also collecting items for Tails and Whiskers to sell in its charity shop. 

“We are humbled and inspired by the love, dedication and passion with which the Tails and Whiskers team and their beneficiaries do their work. In the spirit of Mandela Month, we feel that this is a most worthy charity organisation to support,” says Debbie.

One of the residents has also donated a handmade quilt that is being raffled to raise extra funds for the organisation. Tails and Whiskers is running the raffle on its Facebook page and tickets are available for purchase at reception. 

Resident Olive Jew gets some loving licks from Watson, much to the delight of Isabel Peddie, Rhona Burnham and Trish Llewelyn.

 

Trish Llewelyn cuddles a newly rescued kitten which is still too young to be adopted.

Whiskey.

 

Well done to RSCC’s best housekeeping team for May

 

Ron Smith Care Centre’s best housekeeping team for May was awarded to River Lodge 2’s domestic workers Neliswa Khoza and Emily Tshabalala, and to relief domestic worker, Emily Thabang.

Charge professional nurse Leanie Bessinger says the three women have made a significant effort to ensure cleanliness on the wing and River Lodge 2 is shining!

Emily Thabang was also selected as she is one of RSCC’s longest-serving domestics.

“Wherever I see Emily, it doesn’t matter on which RSCC wing, she is always busy cleaning or washing something, and doing it with a big smile. She recently had a shoulder operation, but she does not let that keep her back from her work.”

Well done to the winners. RSCC and our residents appreciate your hard work. 

Emily Tshabalala, Portia Ngobeni, Leanie Bessinger, Neliswa Khoza and Emily Thabang.