Archive - Friday, 27 February 2004


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A hint of summer in doctor's surgery

A DURSLEY man is hoping to bring a ray of sunshine to the wait to see a doctor.

Kevin Pagett, 38, of Fortfields, decided to give something back to May Lane Surgery after becoming a regular visitor when he developed a serious illness in 2002.

Since being diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, Mr Pagett has had to make some serious life changes.

His condition meant he had to give up a ten-year career as a builder but also inspired him to pursue a new line in work.

"It was impossible for me to carry on with my trade," he explained. "So I was forced to make a career change. I went to art college after leaving school but, up until now, had never taken it any further."

His brother suggested he should try recreating the work of Van Gogh.

"I was talking to my brother and he asked me to paint a Van Gogh for him. It went quite well so I am now painting three a week to prepare for an exhibition," said Mr Pagett, who has re-created one of Van Gogh's most famous works for the May Lane waiting room.

"I decided to give a copy of The Sunflowers to the surgery to brighten up the waiting room," he explained. "Whenever you go into the doctors' there is always lots of advice on how to stop yourself getting ill but rarely anything to cheer you up.

"The Sunflowers remind you of summer and will hopefully help people escape for five minutes."

Mr Pagett is compiling work for an exhibition, which he hopes to hold in the town in the near future.

"I am finding the painting very therapeutic and am really enjoying it," he said. "I am aiming to paint around 40 pictures before exhibiting them and so far have done 15 since January.

"I never wanted to sit behind a desk at a computer and this is a really enjoyable career for me."

Mr Pagett hopes his Van Gogh exhibition will provide him with enough capital to purchase more oils and canvases to allow him to start painting originals.

"I love painting outside and will hopefully do more of my own work after this exhibition."