ALBANY COUNTY — Next month is Bruce Hilliard’s month.

In February, Cupid’s domain, Hilliard’s “Portal to Love Land” will grace the calendar published by several nursing home and assisted-living associations.

Hillard’s painting features a giant luminescent red heart that seems to pulse off the page, set against mossy greens and vivid blues that suggest a landscape.

This is the second year in a row that Hilliard’s artwork has been featured in the annual calendar. Last year, his painting titled “Pagoda Lights” was on the cover of the 2020 calendar.

Hilliard is a resident of Shaker Place, Albany County’s nursing home. He could not be reached for comment.

Hilliard was in the winner’s circle of 13 with artists from the Bronx and Brooklyn to Rome and Rochester.

The annual calendar is the result of an art contest launched in 2004 by the Foundation for Quality Care Inc., the New York State Health Facilities Association, and the New York State Center for Assisted Living.

With the recent restrictions on skilled-nursing and assisted-living facilities due to COVID-19, the Foundation for Quality Care moved this year’s Art From the Heart Program online.

Residents of more than 400 NYSHFA/NYSCAL member skilled-nursing and assisted-living facilities around New York State were invited to submit photographs of their artwork online. The response was overwhelming, according to a release from the not-for-profit Foundation for Quality Care, with more than 85 pieces submitted from across New York State.

The judges included local artists and representatives from the New York State Museum in Albany.

The artists ranged in age from 57 to 96. Some are professional artists who have been drawing and painting their entire lives, while others discovered their talents after moving into a long-term care facility where they began taking art classes.

Proceeds from the “Art from the Heart” calendar will benefit the Foundation for Quality Care as it continues its work to improve the quality of care for those living in New York State skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Additional calendar copies may be ordered via the NYSHFA/NYSCAL website at www.nyshfa-nyscal.org.