Category Archives: painting

Painting with Parkinson’s

Never painted in your life? Why not challenge your neurological pathways with a new and pleasurable activity: painting for Parkinson’s

This clip of my interview with Nancy Tingey was recorded in 2012. Her website is: paintingwithparkinsons.org.au

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Living with Parkinson’s disease presents numerous challenges, from physical limitations to emotional hurdles. However, amidst these difficulties, individuals find solace, expression, and even liberation through various forms of art. One such avenue is painting—a medium that not only allows individuals to express themselves but also provides therapeutic benefits that can be particularly beneficial for those with Parkinson’s.

The Canvas of Challenges

Parlinson’s symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and impaired balance can make daily activities, including tasks as seemingly simple as holding a paintbrush, challenging. Moreover, the emotional toll of living with a chronic illness adds another layer of complexity.

Painting as Therapy

Despite the obstacles, painting offers a sanctuary of creativity and self-expression. Art therapy has long been recognized for its ability to improve motor skills, reduce stress, and enhance emotional well-being. For individuals with Parkinson’s, painting can serve as a form of physical therapy, helping to maintain dexterity and coordination.

Embracing Imperfection

One of the most beautiful aspects of art is its capacity to transcend perfection. In the world of painting, imperfections are not flaws but rather unique expressions of the artist’s journey. This perspective can be especially empowering for individuals grappling with the changes that Parkinson’s brings to their bodies and abilities.

Finding Freedom in Creativity

Painting offers a sense of freedom—a space where individuals can transcend the confines of their condition and tap into their innermost thoughts and emotions. Whether it’s through bold strokes of color or subtle nuances of shading, each brushstroke becomes a testament to resilience and creativity.

Adaptive Techniques

Adapting painting techniques to accommodate the challenges of Parkinson’s is key to unlocking the full potential of artistic expression. Simple modifications such as using larger brushes or stabilizing devices can make a significant difference in the painting process, allowing individuals to focus more on their creativity and less on their limitations.

Community and Support

Engaging in painting with Parkinson’s doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit. Joining painting classes or support groups tailored to individuals with movement disorders can foster a sense of community and belonging. Sharing experiences, techniques, and artworks with others who understand the unique challenges of Parkinson’s can be incredibly uplifting and inspiring.

Beyond the Canvas

The benefits of painting extend far beyond the finished artwork. The act of creating—immersing oneself in colors, textures, and forms—can be a meditative experience, offering moments of peace and tranquility amid the chaos of Parkinson’s symptoms. Moreover, the sense of accomplishment derived from completing a painting can boost confidence and self-esteem, counteracting feelings of helplessness and frustration.

Conclusion

Painting with Parkinson’s is not about overcoming limitations but rather embracing them as part of the artistic journey. It’s about finding beauty in imperfection, strength in vulnerability, and joy in the act of creation. Through painting, individuals with Parkinson’s can discover a newfound sense of purpose, empowerment, and self-expression—a testament to the transformative power of art in the face of adversity.

Research about Painting with Parkinsons

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2022 May:216:107237. Increased creativity associated with dopamine agonist therapy: A case report and short review of the literature. Smathorn Thakolwiboon, Amputch Karukote, Parunyou Julayanont, Henrik Wilms

Abstract

Impulse control disorder (ICD) has been linked to dopamine agonist use in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Increased creativity is another cognitive side effect of dopaminergic therapy. While ICD is well recognized in the literature, enhanced creativity as a positive phenomenon is underreported because it does not negatively affect the patients’ quality of life.

Herein, we report a case of a 49-year-old man with Parkinson’s disease who developed enhanced creativity expressed by the acquisition of multiple, new artistic skills with ropinirole treatment. He spent a significant amount of time on painting, carving and axe restoration, selling these artistic products became a source of income. He also reports that these hobbies help him cope with physical limitations caused by Parkinson’s disease.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease

Painting with Parkinsons

Below is correspondence I received yesterday from Anne Atkin who sponsors and facilitates Painting for Parkinsons workshops in Australia. Anne has been a former guest on the Parkinsons Recovery Radio Show. As you will read below her life has been terribly exciting recently!

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Pioneers of Recovery
http://www.pioneersofrecovery.com

I am well and truly into my second book and it will be out in the first half of next year. I had to put it off for a while because our Federal Government gave me $20,000 to set up new Painting with Parkinson’s groups. Then there was a fire where I store all my art materials for my groups and I lost everything.
The community was wonderful and within 2 weeks I had enough money donated to replace it all!

In my new book ‘Still laughing. My journey continues’ I will be talking a lot about how neuroplasticity has changed my life. I will also talk about mindfulness, wellness etc .I get involved with as much research as I can and my neurologist said that he doesn’t need to see me as much as he use to and whatever I am doing, keep doing it.

One thing that is happening here at a big university is that first year medical students are taught all about meditation, mindfulness etc. And I am now part of a program called the Patient Teaching Program where I help student doctors with how to question a patient who is chronically ill.

Anne Atkin

Painting for Parkinsons

My guest on the radio show this week was Anne Atkin who has made remarkable discoveries for herself about what helps her get sustained relief from her symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Her radio show interview is remarkable in every respect and I strongly encourage everyone to listen.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/parkinsons-recovery

Anne was kind enough to send me a copy of her book, Living and Laughing with Parkinsons which I have now devoured. I did not stop reading and laughing until I landed on the final page.

Her book is a thorough and comprehensive review of the symptoms that are associated with Parkinsons and the frustrations that they present. Anne has drawn provocative and very funny cartoons that complement each explanation of a symptom and that embody the many challenges she personally encountered.

Living and Laughing with Parkinsons is a beautifully written and illustrated book that reveals the work of an incredibly creative woman. Anne points out in the book that the creativity of many people with Parkinson’s soars and blossoms. Her work soundly confirms this hypothesis. When you see her book you will understand why,

In addition to sending me her book, Anne forwarded a letter she wrote in response to a question about what she has been doing to get relief from her symptoms, Anne gave me permission to post the letter which follow. May this not however be a substitute for listening to her interview which is full of golden treasures for anyone who currently experiences the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease
http://www.parkinsonsdisease.me

I am very careful about how I describe what is happening to me. Recovery is a word that is too strong; I like to think that I have reached an equilibrium and a state of balance with Parkinson’s. I feel that I am always improving some aspect of myself. If you think you have recovered, then you may allow bad habits to come back whereas to keep in balance you have to keep working at it. It all becomes second nature.

Yes, it is true that I no longer use a cane and that has happened because my quad muscles are much stronger and that helps balance. Also, my overall balance has improved because I spend time just practising standing on one leg then the other.

I don’t do hours of exercise because I would be bored silly. I exercise no more than 10 minutes at a time but at frequent intervals. This way I don’t get tired or bored. I do all my own housework, which is also exercise! I love gardening and I will talk about gardening more.

I don’t do anything that is complicated or difficult. Nor do you have to do everything exactly the way I do it. After a while you will find your own pathway and it will feel right and comfortable.

So I use a combination of:

Creativity

Socialization- being with people from all walks of life is the way to go. Don’t isolate yourself.


Humor – develop a sense of humor as laughter is so good for our bodies


Exercise – and you don’t have to join a gym. There is a great book on exercise for us and it is called ‘Delay the Disease.’ It is by Jackie Russell and David Zid.


Mindfulness


Wellness These three are handled beautifully on the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation website


Visualization

Positive thinking

Not giving in to negative thoughts

In everything I do I have a little catch-cry –

‘You’ll never, never know if you don’t have a go.’

You can retrain your brain through thinking positively. It is very important if you have depression.

Whoops! I forgot about gardening. Gardening is an activity that is both creative and exercise. You get the best of both worlds. I love gardening and spend at least an hour a day in mine.

My book ‘Living and laughing with Parkinson’s’ is just at the very beginning of my journey and it is my second book which is being published later this year which will do a lot of talking about the dot points above.

I hope I have given you some ideas but I must impress on you that you can find you own path to wellness and mindfulness. There is more than one pathway because Parkinson’s is such a mixture of symptoms. We are all different and therefore our pathways are going to be all different too.

I also started this journey about 4 years ago and the further along the pathway I went, the more easily I found it to take control of some symptoms. For example, anxiety attacks are now no problem because when I feel one starting, I just visualize myself drawing, or sniffing my roses or I see myself bathed in sunlight with, sitting on a hill and watching the clouds.

Anne

Postscript:

I do believe that the complexity of Parkinson’s means that there is a complexity of different ways you can tackle the condition. I concentrated on the motor skills because I like being physically independent. Plus, retraining the brain is vitally important. I hope people see that if a late middle-aged mum from Australia can help herself then it is something within the reach of most.

But the key word is Persistence.

Cheers

Anne Atkin

Learning to Live with a Chronic Disease

Florence Caplow is a conservation
botanist, Soto Zen priest, and writer.
For the last ten years her primary
practice has been learning to live –
with some kind of grace – with a
chronic and painful auto-immune
illness, diagnosed as Undifferentiated
Connective Tissue Disease.

The illness forced her to give up
full-time work. She has chosen to spend
several years without a home: in retreat,
in the mountains and deserts, and
wherever she’s called to be.

Florence talks about her interview with
Michael Sawyer, Zen priest with Parkinson’s,
who died in 2008. Michael told Florence that
the best years of his life were the last
five because of the joy he experienced
through his painting. Florence tells us Michael
was a true inspiration to everyone who knew
him. So is she.

EVENT: Learning to Live with a Chronic Disease
To hear the recording, click this link now …
http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=7282578

Robert Rodgers, Ph.D.
Parkinsons Recovery
www.parkinsonsrecovery.com