The group were been awarded funding by the Economic and Social Research Council Rapid Response for COVID Recovery, to develop a series of online arts-based activities that will build upon the work of RAG and provide mental health and wellbeing support for patients who face an extended, lonely period of self-isolation.
As they are unable to run in-person events and workshops due to the ongoing pandemic, the online activities will provide an introduction to a range of art forms that they hope patients will find engaging and enjoyable. The activities will be led by arts practitioners who have experience of working with patients who have kidney disease, or delivering arts activities within an arts and health setting.
The Renal Arts Group have different activities you can participate in:
- Watercolours for Kids - with Anna and Lucie Wilson
- Introduction to Songwriting with Daniel O'Rourke
- Introduction to Blues Guitar with Ian Walsh
- Introduction to drawing with Claire Carswell
- Printing at home with Ruth Osborne
If you've taken part in any of the activities please let the Renal Arts Group know your thoughts by taking this short survey.
Watercolours for Kids
Renal Arts Group Administrator Anna and her daughter Lucie have created a tutorial video demonstrating how to create a watercolour artwork inspired by the work of Wassily Kandinsky, as part of the ESRC Create and Connect project to develop online arts-based activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The activities will build upon the work of the Renal Arts Group and provide mental health and wellbeing support for patients who face an extended, lonely period of self-isolation. As we are unable to run in-person events and workshops due to the ongoing pandemic, the online activities will provide an introduction to a range of art forms that we hope patients will find engaging and enjoyable.
"I spend a lot of my spare time creating art with my children. I studied History of Art at university and my 6 year old daughter Lucie has definitely inherited my love of art. Kandinsky is one of my favourite artists and his focus on colour and shape is really accessible for kids. Hopefully our video will inspire other families to experiment with shapes and colours to create beautiful works of art!"
If you've taken part in any of the activities please let the Renal Arts Group know your thoughts by taking this short survey.
Introduction to Songwriting with Daniel O'Rourke
Daniel has created a tutorial video describing his renal journey and outlining his process of songwriting as part of our Economic and Social Research Council funded Create and Connect project to develop online arts-based activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The activities will build upon the work of the Renal Arts Group and provide mental health and wellbeing support for patients who face an extended, lonely period of self-isolation. As we are unable to run in-person events and workshops due to the ongoing pandemic, the online activities will provide an introduction to a range of art forms that we hope patients will find engaging and enjoyable.
"I was born with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome . I had my first kidney transplant at the age of 3 from a deceased donor and at the age of 25 I had my second kidney transplant from my father. Music has played such a massive part in my life. I play, guitar, drums and piano. Songwriting, playing and performing music has been a real help in my life. Being a renal patient does come with it’s stresses and worries. Even when you finally have your transplant there are mental and physical scars that take time to heal. I am delighted to be part of a group that looks at creative and artistic ways to help renal patients."
If you've taken part in any of the activities please let the Renal Arts Group know your thoughts by taking this short survey.
Ian Walsh - Introduction to Blues Guitar
Ian has created a tutorial video introducing the concepts of blues guitar, as part of the Renal Arts Group's ESRC Create and Connect project to develop online arts-based activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The activities will build upon the work of RAG and provide mental health and wellbeing support for patients who face an extended, lonely period of self-isolation. As we are unable to run in-person events and workshops due to the ongoing pandemic, the online activities will provide an introduction to a range of art forms that we hope patients will find engaging and enjoyable.
Ian is a Consultant Surgeon and Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, and in his spare time plays lead guitar in RagBone, alongside Alistair MacKenzie, Social Worker at South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Lyn McMullan, Audiovisual Producer. The three friends have played together occasionally throughout the years, and came together to perform as RagBone for the ESRC Festival of Social Science event 'The Art of Health and Wellbeing'.
RagBone have recently released 'To The Light', a 3 track EP which is available to hear via Amazon Music, Spotify and Apple Music. The band have produced a CD with the profits to be donated to Northern Ireland Kidney Patient Association and Kidney Care UK.
If you've taken part in any of the activities please let the Renal Arts Group know your thoughts by taking this short survey.
Introduction to drawing
With Claire Carswell
Claire has created a tutorial video that introduces the techniques and principles to consider when beginning to draw, as well as a time-lapse video that reveals her own drawing process. The videos were created as part of an ESRC Create and Connect project to develop online arts-based activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The activities will build upon the work of RAG and provide mental health and wellbeing support for patients who face an extended, lonely period of self-isolation. As they are unable to run in-person events and workshops due to the ongoing pandemic, the online activities will provide an introduction to a range of art forms that is hoped patients will find engaging and enjoyable.
Claire is an artist, Research Fellow and registered Mental Health Nurse. Her artwork focuses on medical illustration using coloured pencils, with subject-matter centred on disease, injury and surgery. During each illustration she focuses on emphasising colour, texture, light and dark in an attempt to create a finished hyper-realistic visceral image. Her arts practice has helped ground her approach to the research she has been conducting with RAG, enabling her to draw on her own experiences whilst implementing an arts-based intervention for patients receiving haemodialysis.
Claire will also be leading a live drawing workshop on Wednesday 2 December at 6.30pm via Zoom. If you are interested in taking part please contact Anna Wilson at Queen's University Belfast
If you've taken part in any of the activities please let the Renal Arts Group know your thoughts by taking this short survey.
Printing at home
With Ruth Osborne
Ruth Osborne is a mixed-media artist based by the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. Her work centres on print-based media, combining a variety of techniques and working primarily on Irish linen. Ruth’s work is inspired by the landscape, seasons, foliage, and folklore of the local area.
Ruth has created a series of printmaking tutorial videos as part of our ESRC Create and Connect project to develop online arts-based activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The activities will build upon the work of RAG and provide mental health and wellbeing support for patients who face an extended, lonely period of self-isolation. As we are unable to run in-person events and workshops due to the ongoing pandemic, the online activities will provide an introduction to a range of art forms that we hope patients will find engaging and enjoyable.
"I use native plants as part of my printmaking process. These plants are gathered from locations close to my home and the marks they make through printing are incorporated into my art. I am fascinated by the forms and patterns found in our natural environment and with the historic uses, symbolism and meaning associated with native plants in Ireland."
Printing at Home Equipment List
- Inks - waterbased block printing ink and/or safe wash oil based ink
- Roller (Brayer)
- Tray or flat surface for rolling out ink
- Sheet of acrylic/perspex/or glass as your 'plate' for creating your image on
- Barren or spoon
- Kitchen roll or newsprint paper
- Jar of water
- Paint brush
- Wipes or a cloth for cleaning hands
- Tea towel
- Misting bottle with water
- Your surface to create prints on - a selection of paper and/or fabric
- Pencil
- Scissors
If you've taken part in any of the activities please let the Renal Arts Group know your thoughts by taking this short survey.