For most residents that live in care homes, getting out and seeing nature is not as accessible as it once was. The ability to sit and enjoy a view, ponder about the world and lose yourself in its intricate details is a joy. Residents at Bowthorpe Care Village in Norwich were excited to hear that a mural inspired by nature was being created for them, using leftover paint from our network.
Artist and illustrator Freya Neighbour was asked to create the mural for the care home’s activities room. A piece that would inspire creative thinking and wellness, serving as a backdrop to the resident’s activities. This immediately inspired Freya to create a mural about nature, mental health, growth and recovery. Being environmentally conscious, Freya knew she wanted the paint she used to be as kind to the environment as possible – enter Community RePaint Cambridgeshire.
As part of our national paint reuse network, Community RePaint Cambridgeshire was able to offer Freya usable leftover paint starting from £2 a litre. This included full and part full tins of leftover paint, perfect for the mural.
Community RePaint Cambridgeshire joined the network in 2011 and are now one of the largest schemes in the network. Run by Cambridgeshire Community Reuse and Recycling Network (CCORRN), they collect around 62,000 litres of paint each year. They are also one of our two remanufacturing centres, producing ReColour remanufactured paint.
Here is what Freya had to say about the paint and service:
“I am always looking for new ways to do good for my local community and the planet through my art practice, so using leftover paint was a no-brainer. I’m so appreciative of the service Community RePaint Cambridgeshire provide, it has been a real help as an emerging artist especially being concerned about sustainability.”
Combining floral shapes, large silhouettes and intricate insects the mural gradually came together. She wanted the piece to have intricate details so something new could be found every time you look at it. Watch the piece come together in the gif below:
Freya had this to say about the piece and her process:
“My work is primarily about mindfulness and letting subconscious emotions come through. I believe in using calming colours and abstract marks to create emotive pieces that bring the outside in. Murals can promote creative thinking and wellness, influencing an inner sense of peace and happiness, and I hope that the piece I created for the Activity Room at The Meadows will serve as a backdrop to many inspiring activities; bringing its residents together through creativity, and allowing a space to be reflective and calm.”
You can find more of Freya’s work on her Instagram and Facebook page, as well as her website.
Community RePaint has over 65 schemes across the country, providing paint starting from £1 a litre. Find your nearest scheme here.