Wendy King — Soldier's Arts Academy

WENDY KING

Wendy King is a Royal Navy veteran.

I got injured in the Royal Navy back in 2001 and due to lack of treatment for two years, I ended up with a completely severed ligament in my ankle and a chronic pain condition. I managed to stay in the navy, despite my injury, for almost 3 years, which I loved, although it was fairly hellish being injured and still working full time in the military. I had two operations on my foot while still in service. While in the navy, my divisional officer encouraged me to take up a hobby to help me cope with the pain, and I went back to my art. I had a medical discharge in 2004 because of my foot and have not been fit to work since.

I started with the Soldiers Arts Academy in 2020 with their singing lessons with Laura Wright and then their Shakespeare classes. I started the art classes with Robin Perko in 2021. I love his classes as I love portraiture and I have learned a huge amount from him. I think my portraiture has improved a lot with his help and the drawing and painting still helps me cope with my pain. During covid his classes really helped me stay as sane as I’m going to get.

My favourite lesson was those working on an old masters. I chose Vermeer’s Girl with a peal earring. I have always loved that painting. I have learnt that art is best when it is not perfect. It is the perfection that can make it boring, whereas I used to always try to achieve perfection, which was never going to happen, as I am only human. It is more important to try to capture the essence of a person.