At the start of lockdown, local artist Jennifer Louise Martin set up an initiative to paint elderly people living in isolation.

Jennifer thought about how lonely they must be feeling, especially as the weeks went by. So she put out an advert on social media asking for people to send a picture of an elderly person they knew who was isolated. When she received the pictures, she drew or painted their portraits and then sent them their picture as a surprise in the post.

Sheila, Age 90, Finchley
Sheila is an old friend of Jennifer’s. 

Edna O’Brien, Age 91
A friend of author Edna O’Brien reached out to Jennifer to say she was very lonely and asked if she could paint her. 

Jean, Age 91, Hampstead
Jean is the grandmother of a friend who lives locally.

Joyce, Age 72, Belsize Park
Jennifer met Joyce in the Royal Free hospital last year and approached her because her face inspired Jennifer to paint her. She was so grateful for her drawing, and they are now friends. 

Vera, Age 104, Manchester
Vera is a family member of Jennifer’s who lives alone at 104 and does a lot for charity.

Angie from the Oldfield Estate
More recently, Jennifer was asked by Primrose Corner to paint Angie from the Oldfield Estate on their window in celebration of the work they have been doing to support the community during Covid-19.