War Artist Shot

A week ago UK artist Graeme Lothian was shot in the left hand by a Taliban sniper in Afghanistan. On Friday he underwent a third operation since being shot, to put a plate on to broken bones in his hand. He is left-handed and his wife fears he may never be able to paint again (CLICK). Shown is his portrait of his wife Dr Sameena Shakoor, Consultatant Paediatatrician, which was one of the 51 paintings selected for the BP Portrait Award exhibition in 2009 (CLICK). Dr Shakoor specialises in neurodisability. So her fears cannot be dismissed as groundless. However, Graeme is a former paratrooper and a tough cookie who is receiving the best of care in Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This was his fourth tour in Afghanistan as an official war artist. Let's hope he makes a full recovery. We wish him and his wife well.