Monday, January 16, 2012

Art and Beauty Tuesday--Ria Hills

This painting, called "Marge", by Ria Hills is one of a series called "Fractured" that Hills has painted of residents of her mother's nursing home.

I love how she uses separately painted blocks to illustrate both the fractured nature of Alzheimer's and the individuality of each resident.

When I first saw this painting, I felt I knew this woman--that's how much of her personality came through.  When I found out she, like my own mother, suffers from Alzheimer's, I was even more drawn to it.

I found this painting on Daily Painters of Massachusetts.  Hills also has some beautiful paintings on her own blog.

6 comments:

Michele said...

it is an excellent piece. it makes me think of my dear father before he got dimentia, and now, as he has it. very telling indeed.

Barbara Schoeneberger said...

There's something emotional in viewing that painting. It communicates well the result of dementia.

Just thought I'd pass this on: the University of California at Irvine has done studies that indicate that niacinamide can reverse Alzheimer's and other dementia. It definitely reversed my fibrofog. I blogged about this at: http://www.sufferingwithjoy.com/2010/01/14/another-really-cheap-way-to-feel-better-fibro-fog-niacinimide-and-me/ and you are welcome to take a look for what it's worth.

Conventional doctors seem to be adverse to the use of supplements, which is why I was pleased to see the UC Irvine study. I will stay on niacinamide, considering that both my grandmother and mother suffered from dementia, and I inherited a tremor that originates in a part of the brain the makes finding words difficult if it is impaired. In her last few years Mom rarely spoke because, although she knew what she wanted to say, she couldn't find the words she needed to complete a thought.

Staying in Balance said...

I agree--this piece is very indicative of dementia and its result.

Thanks for the info, Barbara. I'll look into it.

Staying in Balance said...

I agree--this piece is very indicative of dementia and its result.

Thanks for the info, Barbara. I'll look into it.

ria said...

Thank you so much for posting my painting "Marge". What a surprise! I'm still trying to get permission to paint more portraits of the residents. It's tricky with all the HIPAA laws.

Staying in Balance said...

Thank you SO much for stopping by, Ria! I love your Fractured paintings. I wondered if you ran into any difficulties with HIPPA. I think art can truly be a healer for the viewer as well as the artist.

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