Breaking Down the Barriers

Deborah Parker

Deborah Parker

I love my work.  It was my dream to become an art teacher or become an artist. I have an ongoing episodic disability, similar to MS and after being in a wheelchair from illness at 27 years old, the experience became a window of opportunity to discover art.

I began art studies while not being mobile and after some time, began teaching to small local community groups. Then as time went on we opened our own business, “Parkerbuilt”, my husband manufacturing cubbies, furniture for children and child care centres.

I became the artist decorating the furniture, painting murals for children’s rooms and centres. I began teaching in my studio, small groups and loving the positive results art had on many different individuals.

Later I began Tafe studies as a Teachers Aid working with schools in special needs areas and have now completed my Certificate of Art Therapy studies.

Art became a place for me to indulge while I had a disability, to create when not mobile and find a pleasant place when life was not so pleasant.  At this stage I had two small children, 2 and 4 years old which made life a challenge.

My realisation was that in life sometimes people get a comma, not a full stop, a time to reflect, learn, and understand how it is for others.

I have an understanding of what it must be like for families faced with the stresses and frustrations that disability delivers.

That’s why I offer and volunteer for arts classes in the community for disability services, the aged and children in Port Stephens.

I believe that everyone has potential whether sight, hearing impaired, perceive the world differently or are of different ages.

I like to make my classes lively and fun!  If a person is having trouble with paint on their hands, I will encourage a picture hand painted with fingers and handprints. It is rewarding sometimes to get messy when a masterpiece can be achieved.

For people rushing their work or feeling angry, I encourage paper tearing and ripping to create a picture. People are given a hammer to smash old cups to make a mosaic picture out of the bits and pieces.

We paint and draw to different styles of music, mostly relaxation to help people relax. Then other times we paint to the movement of music, rock, bouncing with the brush, waltz, swaying with the music. Amazing pictures can be painted to music.

Deborah Parker is holding an exhibition at the Oaks Resorts in Port Stephens on 4-5 November 2011.  You can get in touch or find out more about at http://tinyurl.com/3e8huba