Starting an
Art for Parkinson’s Programme

Art courses for people with Parkinson's disease can relieve stress, help self-expression, and improve communication, self-confidence, motivation and social skills. In some cases art activities help people with Parkinson's overcome depression and restore their zest for living. Overall, Art for Parkinson's enhances quality of life, providing satisfying activities to replace those no longer possible through illness. Research also shows that creative ability is not impaired by the development of Parkinson's symptoms and may in some cases by enhanced by the condition.

However, for art activities to be beneficial as therapy, observation of the following guidelines may help overcome problems.

Apprehension about starting a new activity 

Start with social time and refreshments. Then outline session programme and settle everyone comfortably. Have quiet time with the help of music, poetry, and meditation, breathing exercises or guided visualisation.

Materials 

The appropriate choice of materials is critical in art as therapy for Parkinson's. For this reason the facilitator needs a thorough understanding of how various media work, using them in ways, which reduce rather than increase stress levels. Provide colourful good quality and easy to-use tools such as thick-stemmed oil pastels and felt pens, generous supplies of watercolour paint, watercolour paper (wet to allow paint to spread magically - very therapeutic)
Watercolour is the preferred medium of Parkinson's art therapist Attilia Cossio. She had founded a Parkinson's art group in Monza, Italy, in 1993, a year before Painting with Parkinson's began in Australia. She draws on Rudolf Steiner' s teachings about the healing powers of colour therapy, each hue of the spectrum having special meditative qualities and stimulating a different emotion. Blue, is thought to be particularly soothing for people with Parkinson's.

Just as the uncontrollable character of watercolour can stimulate creativity, so the accidental marks and textures in printmaking help promote original imagery. The mechanics of printmaking takes control out of the hands of the artists to some extent and allows for the ’Happy Accident’
Experimental play is more important than skill.

Difficulty using materials 

If the artist has problems handling a paintbrush, offer droppers, or sponges, or suggest trying finger painting, clay work or printmaking. For this reason the importance of employing a tutor-in-charge experienced in art practice cannot be underestimated. Be prepared with stout short-handled brushes and sturdy water pots as well.

If the artist struggles to make contact with the paper, move it towards the hand. The main concern is making the first mark; other will then follow, as steps do when walking after a freezing spell with Parkinson's.

If the painting hand hurts, suggest using the other hand. Using the non-dominant hand stimulates the imagination.
Trained helpers can be invaluable dealing with such problems as they arise and replenishing materials to encourage creativity to flow without interruption.

Freezing - difficulty getting started 

The tutor needs to provide a calm and supportive environment and help take the artist through the steps, one at a time, through exercises such as:

• Making stretching or Tai Chi movements to get the body moving rhythmically then, with oil pastels or felt pens in each hand, with eyes closed, drawing the shapes of the movements on large sheets of paper.

• Developing a doodle, drawing with eyes closed, then adding marks to create an image.

• Painting to music.

• Pass the painting - like 'pass the parcel' except that participants paint while the music plays then pass the painting on one position clockwise when the music stops. A good way of loosening up as no one person is responsible for the resulting work.

• Finger painting - start by 'playing' to piano music.

It is important to keep the programme of art making flowing continuously until the work is finished. If concentration is broken (for example, through trying to talk and paint at the same time) the artist may have to start again. (Fortunately the image being worked on is a reminder of the process so if a break is inevitable it is sometimes possible for the artist to pick up on the last mark made as a prompt to get going again.)

The main thing is to be flexible and inventive.

Dyskinesia and tremor 

As participants start drawing and painting, involuntary movements will tend to settle, as when engrossed in any activity. If movements do persist, use them –for example, to make strong rhythmic lines or cross-hatched patterns etc. - noting that uneven or broken lines are more expressive than straight lines.

Starter themes to help stimulate creativity 

• A colour.

• Growth - trees, sap rising, leaves falling, express as Tai Chi movement, raising and lowering arms, continue the rhythm on paper using both hands, then paint 'imaginary' trees, for example.

• Waves - using music to suggest sound waves, flowing rhythm, observe how paint undulates across wet paper.

People with Parkinson's thrive on stimulation. Helped by the tutor as facilitator they will develop their own ideas and keep ringing the changes once they get started.

At the end of each session allow time for discussion so that participants can talk freely about their work, and about discoveries or feelings evoked by the process. The process is more important that the end result. Painting from life, or copying (goal setting) requires complex planning manoeuvres which tend to be counter productive for those with Parkinson's. Encourage participants to paint from the subconscious, letting one mark lead to another, the element of chance acting as a trigger to suggest imagery. The aim is to make a mark and express individuality.

In summary

Facilitators need to:

• Have a basic understanding of Parkinson's disease.

• Be able to empathise with participants.

• Have practical experience of a wide range of art materials and a flexible approach to their use.

• Be adept at coordinating group dynamics while being aware of individual needs.

Key elements in a Parkinson's art session

• Winding down time, refreshments, and opportunity for social group bonding.

• A calm and supportive environment.

• Kick-starting activity - doodling, playing with art materials, group drawing.

• Quiet time meditation, creative visualization, breathing and relaxation exercises.

• Art materials, which are easy to use.

• Time for uninterrupted individual art activity.

• Variety to stimulate levels of interest and participation.

• Time for discussion and sharing experience of art activity.

Practical support

• Adequate funding.

• Help with transport.

• Peaceful workspace with wheelchair access, good lighting, large tables and comfortable chairs, and disability access to toilets.

• A range of art materials to suit group and individual needs.

• A source of music.

• A manageable group-assistant ratio.

• Cooperative assistants.

• Space to display work and discuss outcomes.

For further information contact Nancy Tingey or Andy Daly.