Pam Booth's Story

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 18 years ago. At the time I had just retired from a lifetime of teaching. I worked in a range of areas including childcare, pre-school education, primary school and then TAFE.

Life was extremely busy and although working with young children and their families was my priority, I always loved to draw and paint as I found it relaxing. I particularly enjoyed pen and ink work which was very fine and detailed work requiring concentration and fine motor skills.

When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s it was quite a shock. I tried many different treatments, none of which were really successful. I then decided to take the plunge and undertake Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). This has helped me continue doing what I love.

When I first began painting after the diagnosis, l found myself expressing a high degree of frustration and indeed fear. The colours used tended to be dull and dark.

Over the last few years, I seem to have come to terms with the disease and my paintings have changed and come to reflect a celebration of life. The female figure and in particular the face, is still my interest with my focus on colour and pattern.

I have also moved from the fine detailed works to pieces that develop from large, broad-brush strokes.
I find painting to be a meaningful and intense experience. To me it is a form of meditation. Parkinson’s has led me down a pathway of self-discovery.

The joy of creating a painting which expresses beauty, experience, love and serenity cannot be underestimated. I am always trying to become a better painter and every time I begin a new painting, I think to myself "is this the painting I have been waiting for?"

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