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Stephen’s Art
keeps Stephen’s keeps Stephen’s Art Painting by Stephen Hill.
brain muscles active brain muscles active
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When you see Stephen’s artwork for the fi rst time, you would think he had been an accomplished artist his entire life. The reality is, he only joined ACH Group's Art In Focus class in less than 12 months ago.
Stephen was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease a few years ago and after seeing a post on Facebook about an art class near his home, he considered exploring.
Stephen painting at home.
Painting by Stephen Hill.
“I was aware that art can be a useful therapy for Parkinson’s Disease. With Parkinson’s there is nothing you can do about its existence and progression. It is all about managing and fi nding activities that might make it easier to live with it,” Stephen said. The prospects of a new hobby he would enjoy, combined with the potential health benefi ts made the decision to join the class an easy one. “Even though I had never done painting in my adult life, I always had a certain interest in it and in high school I was fairly good at it and thought I might enjoy that.”
Stephen started his career as a civil engineer and fi nished as a town planner. His familiarity with dimensions, proportions and perspective are now used in an artistic way. “These are two-hour sessions. In the fi rst hour we explore new techniques, using di erent mediums. In the other half we can continue work on our projects. In between sessions, I do further work,” Stephen explained. “I enjoy my time at the art class. At the end of the two hours I am tired, but I don’t mind. It is a satisfying tiredness. I am also enjoying the results. The activity forces my brain and nervous system to concentrate hard, so I can hold the paint brush steady. That doesn’t alter the fact I have Parkinson’s, but I am exercising my brain. I have a feeling it is useful for me and I enjoy it.”
