Nurses spend countless hours providing care to others. But sometimes that's hard to see. This year for National Nurses Week, GE HealthCare is celebrating nurses everywhere by turning their hours into brushstrokes, to paint a detailed picture of what a nurse’s never-ending commitment to care actually looks like—in a way that’s never been expressed before.

We partnered with Tim Okamura, a Japanese Canadian artist based in NYC known for his contemporary realist portraits, to bring this idea to life.

Recognizing the great lengths and countless hours it takes to care for others, we had Tim help us visualize the 'care data' of five different nurses, paying homage to their commitment to care with each stroke he painted. Utilizing a custom infrared frame mounted to his canvas, we were able to keep track of his brushstrokes in real time, ensuring they reflected the significance of the many hours each nurse has selflessly given.

And because a nurse’s work is never finished, neither are our paintings. Intentionally left incomplete, these Canvases of Care serve as a reminder and celebration of a nurse’s never-ending resilience, passion, and commitment to helping others.

Creative direction