The woman painting lost loved ones for free
BBCA Herefordshire artist has pledged to paint people's loved ones who have passed away for free, following the death of her own granddaughter.
Judy Young, from Bromyard, has been creating posthumous portraits since 2017, and only requests a donation to St Michael's Hospice in return.
The charity, with centres across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, supports people with terminal illness, and cared for her granddaughter India who died from a brain tumour.
Discussing her artwork, Young said: "It's very moving, it's always moving painting a portrait, and I have painted still born babies right up to people in their 80s and 90s."
She continued: "What's so moving to me is because I want to hear about the person and learn about them, I don't just have a photo, I have an idea of their character and their essence.
"It means a lot when I'm painting, it's not just a photograph that I copy, it's much deeper than that.
"I feel very connected with the person who's died and the person who's commissioned me to do the portrait. I can't really describe what a wonderful feeling it is."
Judy YoungDiscussing her inspiration, India, Young said: "She inspired me because she was a sweet baby and a sweet little girl, and very photogenic.
"I painted lots of portraits of her but sadly... India died with a brain tumour at St Michael's Hospice in 2017.
"And I've been moved by her, and the great work the hospice did looking after her at the end of her life."
Young said she had managed to stay in touch with many of the families she had painted for, including some overseas.
She said: "I only started painting because I love painting. I never thought it would lead to such deep connections.
"I'm still in touch with lots of the people, some abroad, who I've never met, that I've done paintings for. I've got paintings in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and America."
Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
