Spending Time Painting in Cornwall, UK
Ashley Cooper/Alamy
Russell hesitated at the door, unsure whether to enter or not. This wasn’t his usual environment; he only came at the doctor’s suggestion.
His journey began with a stroke that disrupted blood flow to his brain, leading to significant challenges. He faced months of recovery, relearning skills he once took for granted. As time passed, he encountered severe back pain, lost his job, and struggled to maintain relationships, becoming depressed and overwhelmed by his situation.
When his doctor suggested eight weeks of art classes, Russell doubted the effectiveness of art as therapy. Still, feeling like he had nothing to lose, he stepped inside.
To his surprise, the first class was less intimidating than expected; he didn’t draw but observed fellow students. The calming ambiance and vibrant colors somewhat eased his anxiety. On his way home, he noticed a shift—his breathing was slower and more peaceful. The next week, he recognized familiar faces and started doodling in the garden shed during sleepless nights. By the third class, he had picked up a paintbrush. In the following weeks, he proposed a collaborative project: to paint portraits of his classmates.
I first met Russell early in the morning at a Manchester hotel. We were both preparing to appear on BBC Breakfast, where he would discuss the pioneering initiative of “prescription-based art” within the National Health Service. His experiences left me in awe of the transformation he underwent.
During his subsequent checkup, doctors were impressed with his progress; both his mood and pain levels had significantly improved. Art classes provided him with a sense of structure, something he had started to look forward to. His doctor reduced his medication, noting the improvement in his overall health and sleep quality.
As he neared the completion of his portrait series, he approached Gloucester Art Museum to host an exhibition titled “We’re All Mad Here.” The event drew fellow students and healthcare professionals, leading to requests for more commissioned works, including paintings of a nurse’s children.
Over the past decade, Russell Haynes has showcased his art throughout the UK—from Gloucester Cathedral to the Tower of London. His pieces are now highly sought after, often selling for thousands. He not only continues to create art but also teaches classes, receiving referrals from doctors. Remarkably, Russell has not taken any medication nor visited a doctor in over a year.
When I asked him about the impact of those initial art classes, he stated simply:
“They saved my life.”
This excerpt is from a work by Daisy Fancourt. Art Cure: The Science of How Art Changes Our Health (Cornerstone Press), part of the New Scientist Book Club’s March selection. Join us for a shared reading experience here.
Topic:
Source: www.newscientist.com
