‘Diary’ of a LIFE SAMPLER
I’ve lived many lives and sung many songs;
… ‘remedial’ schoolchild (i.e. an ‘F’ in an A-to-F streaming system, where A and B did Sciences and Languages, and F-folk did a lot of badminton and swimming), painter and decorator, Royal Marines, nightclub bouncer, postman, Tesco car park trolley gatherer, burger seller (on a stall outside a nightclub), paratrooper, security guard, factory plant worker, Art student, Art teacher, nursing assistant (now called a ‘healthcare assistant’), registered mental health nurse, instructor in the management of violence and aggression, court diversion officer/forensic community psychiatric nurse, registered nurse teacher, university lecturer-turned-assistant professor [retired].
Add to that, son, brother, partner/husband, father, and grandfather, and I think you may understand what I mean by the term, ’Life Sampler’, and that I can claim to have “lived many lives and sung many songs.”
– Dave Wilson
B.A.(Hons) in Sculpture, M.Ed. in Aesthetics, M.Sc. RNT, RMN
The majority of the high quality photographs of my work here are thanks to the professionalism of Karina Lyburn (karinalyburn.shootproof.com), while I, for better or worse, must own the remainder. Thanks, Karina.
A poem for and about me, written by my daughter, Sarah,
for Father’s Day, 15th June 2025.
The Glasgow Lad
A Glasgow lad, with pride to spare,
Born of grit and resilience, in a city rare,
From a broken home, he found his might,
In shadowed streets, he sought to fight.
The Marines became his way to rise,
To leave behind the tears and ties.
In distant shores, his roots grew strong,
A quiet power that led him on.
Returning home, new dreams took form,
Art was his refuge, the canvas a platform.
With brush in hand and purpose wide,
A fine art path became his guide.
Then Mum appeared, so true, so clear,
She saw his worth, drew him near.
Through her support, his path was bright,
To heal the wounded, to bring them light.
A mental health nurse, wise and warm,
He calmed the chaos, steadied the storm.
A voice, a hand, a steadfast soul,
Helping others to feel whole.
Fatherhood came, first a boy, a girl close behind,
Mastering the role of dad-fun, caring and kind.
With Mum, he taught them to stand tall and true,
Honour and duty, in all they do.
From hospital halls to lecturer’s stage
Sharing his knowledge so students engage.
A lifetime of service, came to a quiet end,
Impacting the lives of many but to all – a friend.
In every stride, his journey sings,
Of broken roots and soaring wings.
My Dad, a story bold and true,
A Glasgow lad, through and through.
OPEN EXHIBITION OF WORK
Beeston Library, Foster Avenue, Beeston, Notts, NG9 2NJ
25th July – 30th August 2025
