When the COVID-19 pandemic started, the UCLA Health System stopped allowing non-essential workers inside the hospital in an effort to decrease the risk of exposure and spread of the virus. As such, despite wanting to help, volunteers were no longer allowed to be in the hospital. The Director of Volunteer Services connected Liz White (UCLA student and volunteer for the UCLA Health Creative Arts Program) with the 3 Wishes Program to see how she might be of help. After some brainstorming, we were able to come up with the idea of commemorative Fingerprint Paintings. With permission, healthcare workers obtain the patient’s fingerprints on a blank sheet of paper. The fingerprints would then be incorporated and transformed into a one-of-a-kind painting by Liz that is then returned to the family. As the demand for the paintings became high, more volunteer artists have joined the effort (learn more about them in the bios below!). We are planning to continue providing these beautiful fingerprint paintings even as the pandemic improves and visitation restrictions are lifted.
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Apurva Chaturvedi
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Liz White
Painted by a guest volunteer artist 
Painted by a guest volunteer artist 
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Apurva Chaturvedi
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Apurva Chaturvedi
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Apurva Chaturvedi
Painted by Apurva Chaturvedi
Painted by Apurva Chaturvedi
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Apurva Chaturvedi
Painted by Emma McVay
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Aliza Ajmal
Painted by Aliza Ajmal
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Ashley Tang
Painted by Shuyi Yu
Painted by Apurva Chaturvedi
Painted by Apurva Chaturvedi
Painted by Ashley Tang
Painted by Ashley Tang
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Liz White
Painted by Apurva Chaturvedi
Painted by Jade Tai
Painted by Emily Jiang
Painted by Emma McVay
Painted by Crystal Trinh
Painted by Liz White
I am a fourth year UCLA student majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Evolutionary Medicine, and I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. I believe in the use of art as a means of healing, for both the artist and the recipient of the artwork. Art allows me to create a physical manifestation of what resides within my heart, and I have made it my goal as a future healthcare provider to open my heart to as many people as I can. Though my words may fail, art is a universal language that lives on forever. Thus was born my interest in making thumbprint art for the 3 Wishes Program.
I am a second-year undergraduate student at UCLA. My major is Psychobiology and I am working towards a minor in Visual and Performing Arts Education. I joined the 3 Wishes Program because I was really moved by their mission and each patient's story touches my art. Through the program, I am able to show how art can create strong bonds and unite people through difficult times. I took art classes throughout middle school and high school. In high school, I taught art classes as a volunteer art teacher for special needs children at Gigi's Playhouse, and I painted a mural for their studio. I also completed a portfolio for AP Studio Art during my senior year.
I've always loved art since I was a little girl. But, many of my passions, art included, have been put aside since I got busy. As a pre-med student, it is easy to lose myself in all of the studying I do and I very quickly became stressed out and unmotivated. Art became the only thing to help me calm down. Being a part of 3 Wishes Program gives me the opportunity to de-stress by creating and giving a keepsake of loved ones to their families. By doing this I get to help myself and others at the same time.
I am a fourth year psychobiology student at UCLA and an incoming medical student. I have been painting since I was young and art has been a way for me to practice self-reflection and mindfulness. I also believe that art can be a form of healing and connection. Although art is a solitary activity, painting allows me to share a message that I feel is important or beautiful. I am so grateful to be a part of the 3 Wishes Program to use my art to celebrate life. I love that I can be a part of commemorating a loved one in a beautiful way. I hope that each painting will be something to cherish and remember. I will use what I have learned from creating fingerprint paintings to take a compassionate approach to healing as a future physician.
I am a fourth year UCLA undergraduate Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology major with a minor in Art History. I have been doing arts and crafts forever. I have always loved the healing and soothing effects that art, both creating and experiencing it, has had on me. I joined the 3 Wishes Program because I think in a time where everyone is struggling, art is necessary to bring back some joy and healing and I would love to be able to help patients experience that.
Art is a process that defocuses my worries and declutters my mind, but more often I create because the results can make others smile. This was my motivation for joining the 3 Wishes Program, as is it for my other artistic pursuits. When I’m not painting, you can find me in the kitchen baking something sweet for my family or at my desk drawing chemical structures for a bioengineering course. I’m not too sure what my future holds, but I’m certain art and dedication to bringing people happiness will be part of it.
I am a second-year UCLA student majoring in Psychology. Art has always been a huge part of my life growing up, and as a pre-med student I’ve found comfort in expressing my feelings through different forms of art. I find that art holds a big impact in healing, so I’m extremely honored and grateful to be a part of the 3 Wishes Program. I hope to bring love and happiness to families by creating beautiful fingerprint paintings in memory of their loved ones
As a second-year UCLA international development studies student with a minor in global health, I am interested in different approaches to healing. More specifically, art as healing therapy (for both the artist and audience). From painting and cooking to dancing and music, the arts have been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember. Painting has been particularly special to me. Each brushstroke, splash, swipe, and dot allows me to freely express my thoughts and emotions. At the same time, I love seeing how others react to my creative projects. I am filled with gratitude to be contributing to the 3 Wishes Program and showing the true power of art.
Art has always been a major part of my life. Even now, as a biology major at UCLA, creating art remains a way for me to soothe myself and find peace and a sense of achievement through creation. When I learned about how the 3 Wishes Program uses art as a means of healing others, I immediately felt a connection and a need to join such a meaningful organization that allows me to bring happiness to others while doing something that I love. I am also keen in exploring different art forms from acrylic to sketching, even digital art. In difficult times, no matter how little, I hope my art can bring joy and solace to the patients and their family
