November 28th, 2018

I haven't blogged as you know for some time for a couple of reasons, first being the time it takes to come up with new ideas regarding art and secondly I'm not sure who reads my post.  However, last night I had a life changing experience which I would like to share. 

My neurologist invited me to join him for a seminar he was giving at Florida Hospital on Parkinson's. He wanted to expose my art to other patients; I have to say he is a believer and wants to help me. After the gathering ended the marketing representative for the hospital asked if I would like to attend an event the hospital is hosting called, Girl Talk, which takes place in November. The gallia event draws about 20,000 and health companies pay for space to display their wares. The Elizabeth, the director of  marketing offered me free table space to display my work, which I accepted. 

I wasn't sure of the exact date for the program until just before we left to spend Thanksgiving with our youngest son, Christopher and his wife. They live in Asheville, NC so I had to find an affordable source for prints and have them delivered to our home before the 27th.  Turning to the web I found a company that had a quick turn around time on canvas prints at an affordable price.

We returned home on a Monday the 26th with the event taking place at 4:30 the next day. I won't go into deal except to say the prints were waiting for me when I got home. 

The organizers for the event placed a sign, Art for Parkinson's, Two Willets Art Gallery. Along with the canvas prints I brought calling cards and a placard with my information. By 4:30 the venue was crawling with people and I had an opportunity to met several people with Parkinson's or loved ones with PD and they thanked me for my work. 

Across the isle from me was a woman who was a registered artist therapist, which is a profession I have been researching since I discovered how art has helped me. After the crowed shuffled off to dinner we talked briefly and she was very interested in my Parkinson's journey, she said she would contact me. 

Along with the canvas prints I brought one of my original paintings just incase some big spender wanted to buy it. Doctor Pearson and I found space at a table in the dinning area and soon dinner was served. I found out there was going to be a raffle for several donated items and I decided to donate the painting I brought so I tried to find Elizabeth to let her know of my intentions. She seemed taken back by my generosity and wanted me to tell her a little about myself so she could introduce my work to the audience. I was surprised that my painting would be the first thing to be raffled. Elizabeth held up the painting and after a brief introduction the audience clapped when she announced I donated 15% of each painting sold to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

The woman who received the painting found me and wanted to thank me for the donation and added "it was meant to be"  because her brother is dealing with Parkinson's and with tears she said that he is having a difficult time dealing with the symptoms so she is giving the painting to him as a Christmas gift. She gave me a hug before returning to her table. 

On my wait out another woman stopped to thank me for donating a portion of each painting because her husband has PD.

As Doctor Pearson and I walk out of the dinning hall I said, "I rather give paintings to those who truly appreciated them than to sell them." Well, I have to sell some in order to purchase art materials.

I wish the people who visit my website would purchase a painting to help me fund Parkinson's research.