Retired Community Paediatrician turns hand to painting
Dr Leigh Rabb retired in 2022 following a career in Community Paediatrics which spanned 35 years, specialising in community behavioural disorders. Today, he has turned his hand to painting, brightening up the walls of the very halls and offices he once worked in.
Staff and visitors to the Children and Families Division offices at Moseley Hall Hospital will be very familiar with the artwork of Dr Rabb. Painting was not initially a hobby or pastime for him, but after receiving a series of watercolour classes for a 60th birthday present, he soon found enjoyment in creating artwork.
He later joined a club, and after each month that passed, a new project was assigned. Leigh created pieces of work for his children and grandchildren which allowed him to work on a variety of subjects.
Former colleague and current BCHC Children and Families Divisional Medical Director Dr Neal McCathie remained in touch with Leigh and after hearing about the painting club the idea came about for some child-friendly artwork to brighten up clinic and office walls.
Dr Rabb got to work on re-creating some of his children’s favourite fictional characters*, adding quotes from the stories. These bright paintings continue to adorn many walls and corridors within the Children and Families Division offices at Moseley Hall Hospital, as well as Park House and Springfield Centres.
He said: “I am thrilled that people enjoy my artwork."
Dr Neal McCathie shared: “We are so grateful to Leigh for providing us with these lovely paintings. They bring smiles and enjoyment to both staff and service users.
“For those up in the clinical waiting areas, they definitely make the spaces so much more child friendly, which is so important for children coming to clinics, especially those with neurodiverse conditions such as autism. He is our Banksy equivalent!”
*Leigh paints purely as a hobby and doesn’t sell or make any profit from these re-creations.
