Painting opens your eyes to the beauty of life. Here, we speak to some of those who lived an army life and later found that art helped them move on
Stewart Hill
THE EXPERIENCE: In 2012, I was medically discharged as a Lieutenant Colonel due to the fact that, in 2009, I led 164 soldiers into fighting against the Taliban in Afghanistan. On 4th July, medics fought to save my life after shrapnel was blown into my brain. That moment changed my life, my brain, forever. I have had to re-learn how to do everything.
WHY ART? I wanted to be an artist as a teen but they didn’t teach it at A-level at my school, so I stopped painting. My father was in the army and, after dropping out of business studies at uni, I realised the military was my metier. After the bombing, I struggled with depression because of the loss of my career. Art became my therapy.
THE RESULTS: I can’t ever match my previous cognitive ability, but art helps me escape my demons and thrive. Whilst I do motivational speeches about my brain injury, art brings peace and balance to my life. I would love to find an art mentor to help me become the best artist I can be.
stewarthill.co.uk ▸
Dougie Adams
THE EXPERIENCE: I was a guardsman in the Grenadier Guards from 2005. I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2012, after three tours in Afghanistan. While there, I was a medic and a soldier. There was a bomb incident where someone’s legs got blown off. I saved his life, but it was the first major casualty I had dealt with. Soon after, my best friend was killed in warfare.
Subsequently, due to my emotional health, I was discharged in 2014.
WHY ART? As soon as I got home from Afghanistan, I went to WH Smith and got a sketchbook and coloured pencils. Making art gave me space to think. I had vivid flashbacks so, at first, I would just try and draw what I was seeing from the war. After various workshops, I got hooked and my painting subjects changed.
THE RESULTS: Art gives a focus, which can sometimes be quite difficult. There’s nothing else I can think about when I’m painting. It’s a world which I want to live in. I’ll do it until I can’t hold a brush.
Instagram: @dougie_adams
