Stories & Achievements: Mark E’s Story
Mark E’s story: a passion for art
A workplace injury three and a half years ago resulted in a bleed to Mark’s brain, causing loss of sight and hearing on his right side. Mark’s memory is also affected and so he could no longer work as a manager of security. While he admits that there have been some dark times, Mark’s journey has just taken a colourful turn.
I sometimes get headaches and I’ve had some very depressing times and even suicidal thoughts. I’m seeing a psychologist about that still, and some days are up and down. I’ve also started to do things like growing veggies and restoring furniture, which I’m really enjoying.
I like to keep busy and Headstart helps me the opportunity to get out, go to rec group sometimes, op shops and garage sales, go for a drive, walks in mother nature and so on. I go to the pool and the gym as often as I can. I can’t swim, I sink. My brain won’t allow me to float. So I exercise in the pool.
“Now, I love art. I look forward to it every time and I come to Sophie’s class every two weeks. It’s a way of releasing the headache from my head.”
Before my injury I couldn’t paint or draw. Now I can! So something’s come good out if it. I can also build and restore things which I couldn’t do before. So I’ve lost a lot of things but I’ve adapted well I think.
I’m fine when I touch canvas with paint, but if I do my signature with a pen and paper it’s all over the place. That’s weird but that’s how it is.
I love this painting. I’m in it. I feel like I flow into the picture, it’s got a really nice feeling about it. Painting just soothes me down. Everything eases. It feels like I’m in a different place.
I’ve even got one of my support workers, Alex, involved in art and painting again. She hadn’t done it for years, now she’s painting at home and after canvases like I am. I pick up old canvases at op shops and repaint them. I barter mind you, I tell them this is how much money I’ve got, and that’s it. Alex is also restoring and planting veggies now.
My daughter said “I’ve got to buy this before you’re famous, or it’ll cost me more!” I said “of course you will!” Even if she’s family they’ve go to pay the right amount, maybe a slight discount but nothing more! Although my granddaughter did take one of my paintings without me knowing and sent me a photo. There it was hanging in my great grandson’s bedroom. I wondered where that one went. But I really love doing it for them.
Through my photos on Headstart’s Facebook page I ended up getting commissioned to do three paintings. I asked my mate “what’s a commission?” He said “that’s when they pay you for it!” I said yes! So now I’ve got to start those, and better ask Sophie what to charge. No cheques, just cash of course.
I like to plan my painting and take my time. It relaxes me so it’s not about rushing to finish it. I just love it!
“I like to plan my painting and take my time. It relaxes me so it’s not about rushing to finish it. I just love it!”
Sophie Mill is Mark’s art tutor, an accomplished artist based at her beautiful Hamilton studio. “Mark’s really found his confidence since beginning this one. His hand-eye coordination is great and he’s making it a real abstraction and I think it’s fantastic. He started with acrylics to move the paints around, but they dry too quickly so he’s working with oils now to get that gorgeous luminous colour. This is his first oil and it’s very ‘kind’ as a medium. Sometimes people are scared to make a mistake. I tell them ‘don’t forget it’s paint! It’s not skydiving’. And it’s turning out great. As you can see Mark’s work is mature, confident and very kind to the eye.”
Watch the 4 minute video of Mark and Sophie here.
