Health care workers are often called heroes as they fight against COVID-19. And one artist is making this a reality.

Artist Kris Petruska started the series by painting a watercolor of her own cousin as a superhero. She first did it to pass the time while in quarantine. But when she started to make the paintings while on Facebook Live each day, people began sending her photos with requests for superhero paintings of their loved ones.

“’My wife is a health care worker or my brother-in-law is a nurse in New York City,’” Petruska says.

Petruska says that each painting tells a story – Justin the RN, Stephanie the certified nursing assistant, couple Steve and Caitlin.

 

“They give all for us, so the least that I can give them is my artwork,” she says.

The Hillsborough resident works in a bar-restaurant that is now closed due to the pandemic. She says that her time spent painting has given her a new purpose.

“If it makes them smile or feel appreciated or loved, then I’m happy to do it,” she says.

Petruska says that she hopes to hang the paintings where she works at Pizza N Pasta in Manville once it reopens. She says she then hopes to give the paintings to the individuals depicted in them.