MITAL PATEL, Ophthalmic Director at Specsavers Walton on Thames has found a new way to express himself via his art.
Initially starting to draw and paint early on in his career when he qualified as an Optometrist in 2006, Mital found it to be an incredibly mindful and calming past-time. Inspired by vibrant colours and shapes, this style continues to be a signature of his artwork today.
Ultimately, it was the combination of juggling family life with managing a growing business and progressing the clinical aspect of his profession, which resulted in Mital putting his creative drawing skills to one side.
It was in fact during October 2021, post the Covid-19 lockdown, Mital explained; ‘I had this re-uniting with art, following a very vivid dream in which I saw a specific shape. It was this vision that acted as the catalyst for me picking up my gel pens, acrylic paints, rulers and stencils the very next day, and working on a new piece of artwork, the first in over 10 years!
Creative arts1 including drawing and painting can be incredibly therapeutic as it involves total focus on the artwork. This in turn can help with managing stress and anxiety, as it is all absorbing and takes the mind away from the day to day shopping list and instead helps to just focus on one thing, and be in the present moment.
Mital has found drawing to be so mindful for himself that he has encouraged the team at Specsavers Walton on Thames to exchange some ‘screen time’ for ‘art time’.
Mital said; ‘We have done a collaboration on an art theme called ‘Seasons’. Currently we are on a new art topic, ‘Country Flags’ where everyone can create their own artwork based on countries they have visited, or one’s they’d like to visit in the future. There is no time limit which reduces the stress of deadlines and makes it more enjoyable!’
You can view Mital’s exhibition artwork, A Space Odyssey – In Colour from the 5th – 30th October 2022 at The Robert Phillips Gallery in The Riverhouse Barn, Walton on Thames where alongside other Surrey artists, his work will be showcased in the gallery, as part of the Elmbridge Moving Arts exhibition.
Specsavers Walton on Thames has been a sponsor of The Riverhouse Barn for over ten years. A performing arts theatre, this unique and quirky venue offers the local community, a mix of theatre, music, comedy and art exhibitions, and has built up an established reputation for attracting some well-known performers over the years.
Specsavers Walton on Thames employs over fifteen team members, and includes an on-site dedicated Hearcare Centre with state of the art hearing services and a range of hearing aids. There are three daily sight clinics and one daily hearcare clinic, so ensuring the smooth running of the business with Retail Partner, Conor MacCarthy and Audiology Director, Laura Smith is important, especially following the last two and a half years of instability as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Mital is delighted to have re-kindled his passion for drawing and encouraging the Walton team to test out their artistic skills too.
Finally Mital commented; ‘I am thrilled to be showcasing my artwork at The Robert Phillips Gallery at The Riverhouse Barn. I often say to myself how lucky I am to be able to see whilst I am drawing, as it is a form of meditation, and art is a form of self-therapy for myself. I invite everyone to come and see all the artwork on display at the exhibition and support The Riverhouse Barn.
I can’t stress enough the importance of having regular sight tests, as they are indicators of people’s general health, so keeping those regular check-up appointments is important.’
To ensure your eyesight is in tip top condition for those creative past-times, you can call the team at Specsavers Walton on Thames on 01932 251960 or book an appointment online.
