We unveiled the giant wooden diorama mural that I created for Roxburghe House on Friday. It was inspired by patients, staff and the beautiful surroundings, including Balgay Park, Dundee – what a brilliant day!
Creating the mural for Roxburghe House has been such a pleasure and a huge honour. The fantastic patients and staff have been involved in the design and will be able to spot their input in this collaborative piece that echos the beautiful Balgay Park that lies just behind the grounds. Hidden amongst the trees you can find some well loved Dundee characters such as Oor Wullie as well as Mills Observatory, woodland creatures and a magical little house.
This is my biggest handpainted mural to date and my first giant wooden diorama, it’s the perfect spot for it and I really hope that it will bring joy and smiles to those who see it, especially to those who need it the most.
(Photo by Kris Miller, courtesy of D.C. Thomson)
Massive thanks to Northwood Charitable Trust for supporting this project and to everyone at Roxburghe House NHS Tayside for being just amazing to work with and be around (with particular shout to Fiona Barnett who’s passing comment and enthusiasm turned into a mega project and Alison Sellers for co-ordinating all the Roxburghe House peeps and for so much coffee!
(Photo by Kris Miller, courtesy of D.C. Thomson)
To Iain Byrne and his team from Signify for the incredible lighting – you gotta see this at night, The Spray Factory Ltd for lacquering and painting the wall, The Altered State – Laser Cutting & Engraving for cutting out all the flowers. Kris Miller (DC Thomson) for piccies today.
This was taken as we were testing the lights (before all the final flower and cone details were added onto trees and bushes).
My wee studio team who helped me out with this giant beastie when my two hands most definitely were not enough – you need a mega thanks too as I couldn’t have done this without you guys. Louise Forbes Design, Creature Emporium, Ryan Bald (RDB Joinery), James Hall Carpentry & Joinery and Emma White. The old cliche coming up, but it’s true… #teamworkmakesthedreamwork 💚🌿
Louise Forbes Design (she’s the jigsaw queen) 
Blair McCafferty aka Creature Emporium 
Emma White helping with some of the many many layers of coloured paint
The Signify lighting team 
James Hall & Ryan Bald – Joinery team
Here are pieces from the NHS Tayside press release:
“Roxburghe House artwork provides a welcome.
A new statement piece of wall art at Roxburghe House in Dundee is to be unveiled at the unit on Friday, 21 February at 2pm.
The specially commissioned mural which is located at the entrance area to Roxburghe House was developed in partnership between Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, The Northwood Charitable Trust and artist Suzanne Scott from Whimsical Lush.
The stunning bespoke art piece which was created by Suzanne and generously funded by The Northwood Charitable Trust, will provide an attractive, warm welcome to patients, visitors and staff as they enter the building.
Joining staff and day care patients at the unveiling of the mural at Roxburghe House will be Morag Neville from The Northwood Charitable Trust, artist Suzanne Scott and a representative from Signify.
[Laser cutting by The Altered State]
Inspiration for the mural was taken from Roxburghe House itself with the artwork representing particular aspects of the unit as well as capturing the amazing landscape of Dundee.
Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, Clinical Coordinator for Specialist Palliative Care Services, Fiona Barnett, said, “On behalf of everyone at Roxburghe House I would like to thank Suzanne, The Northwood Charitable Trust, staff and patients who have all helped to make this amazing art project a reality.
“What started as a passing comment on what can we do to improve the entrance has, with hard work and enthusiasm and a great deal of creativity, culminated in this beautiful addition to our facility. This was a very successful collaboration and it was lovely that day care patients were also involved in the design.
“Our staff provide a vital specialist palliative care service to the people of Tayside, providing dedicated support to patients and their families at often very difficult times in their lives. Over the years Roxburghe House has developed strong links with the local and wider communities and I know that it is held in high regard by the public. I am delighted that we can now share this wonderful art piece with everyone who enters the unit.”
After two years of hard work the mural is now finally complete and ready to be unveiled. The entrance area has been further enhanced with the installation of LED lights by local company Signify. These additional lights highlight the colours and design of the wall art to perfection.
Roxburghe House is a purpose-built specialist palliative care unit in the grounds of Royal Victoria Hospital in Dundee. The unit offers specialist palliative care to patients with cancer and other illnesses and is staffed by a dedicated multi professional team providing care in a supportive environment.”
WhimSicAL LusH 