AN ARTIST who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer will have his work put on permanent display at Basingstoke hospital after he inspired patients and staff during his stay.

Richard Voller, known as Richart The Aura Expert, spent six weeks in Basingstoke hospital after being diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in October last year, and decided to use his time painting to “do something special with the time I have left”.

The 51-year-old, who grew up in Basingstoke, has raised £1,000 for Ark Cancer Charity in return for donating a mural of his aura to hang on the wall in the chemotherapy area of the Rainbow ward at Basingstoke hospital. 

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Richard became homeless after deciding to give up his corporate life working in public relations and spent his time travelling around Spain and living what he describes as a “spiritual life”.

“I wasn’t happy and I decided to change my life and live a free life as a free spirit and follow my art,” he explained, adding: “I wanted to live a life where I wasn’t tied down to one place.”

However, Richard was given a devastating blow when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and told he has between six months and three years to live.

Richard said painting has helped him come to terms with his diagnosis and said: “I’ve been doing art therapy for 10 years so I thought I would order some canvases and start painting my emotions to help with the healing process.

“I had this canvas on the floor of the hospital every day and started painting and it really helped me let out all of the negative things inside of me. I was dealing with my emotions but also dealing with being in hospital. I got it out and put it on the floor or bed and it attracted a lot of attention.”

Richard said the painting shows his aura, done using acrylic and painted using his hands. 

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“I like to feel the paint and I paint the energy and emotion,” said Richard.

He added: “I decided I wanted to give all the funds I raise from my paintings to charities and I was looking for a charity in hospital and that’s when I discovered Ark. They do complementary and alternative therapies like art therapy so I really wanted to support them.”

Although Richard may not have long left to live, he said he does not see himself as a victim of cancer, explaining: “I feel like I’ve been able to live a life that I really wanted to live. From a very young age, I felt that I was an artist and had this artistic talent.

“Because of my spiritual practice and background, I don’t see myself as a victim of cancer. I see that it’s teaching me something. It’s made me think I’ve got less time to do all the things I wanted to do, so rather than getting upset I can shine my light and inspire other people.

“I had a stage at the beginning where I had to face my own death and really come to terms with it, this life is coming to an end. Being confronted with your own death is very healing. I think it made me appreciate being alive more.”

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Richard’s mural shows his ‘aura’, which he explained is the energy surrounding a person and something that is felt rather than seen.

He said: “A lot of people think of your aura as being colours but it’s to do with an electromagnetic field of energy around you. Your aura is part of your manifestation process. It’s about cleaning your aura and cleaning your life out. You attract what you are so you need to do inner healing work to deal with negative energy accumulated in your life.”

Richard said he is comforted by knowing his painting will live on after his death, and be in the same hospital where his mother, Jill Voller, worked as a social worker before her death in 2006 from cancer.

He said: “Along the A&E corridor there is a plaque with her name on it. It’s funny now that I’ve got my aura and energy in the hospital.”

A Go Fund Me page to raise funds for Ark Cancer Centre was set up by Ben Ironside, a friend Richard made while in hospital.

Richard said: “We have both been amazed at the generosity of people supporting this project.”

To donate click here.