Barbara’s clearly gifted

Feb 9 2008 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

A GRANDMOTHER living with Parkinson’s disease has turned her artistic flair into a paid hobby.

Barbara Harrison was diagnosed with Parkinson’s eight years ago after she began to experience tremors in her right hand.

The 58-year-old refuses to be beaten by the condition and is indulging her creativity and love of art by creating paintings, sculptures and glass creations.

She said: “I have always painted and drawn as a hobby but when I was 50 I started to get symptoms.

“There was a tremor in my right hand and the pain was dreadful.

“It tends to start in one side of your body. Mine was the right. I am lucky as I am left-handed.”

The grandmother-of-four from Holystone, North Tyneside, had an inkling it could be Parkinson’s disease and doctors at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle confirmed her suspicion.

“I was relieved at first to know what the problem was. But that changes when you realise it’s not going away.”

The former civil servant and receptionist is having treatment at North Tyneside General Hospital.

“At the moment it is my nervous system. I can’t stand or keep still as I tend to tremor so I am constantly moving.”

She has expanded her love of drawing to painting on canvas and attended night classes which inspired her to make glass sculptures.

“I make ships and birds and little pictures.

“I got a kiln to fire the glass and I have made coloured bowls and dishes.”

Barbara, a mother of two who lives with her 61-year-old husband Richard in Holystone Drive, has had her work on sale at The Art Works in Byker, Newcastle.

But she thought that as people tend to go for a meal after they have visited a gallery, she would seize the opportunity to catch their eye.

Now her work is to be showcased for diners at Gershwins restaurant on Dean Street, Newcastle.

“I hope people enjoy my work while they eat.

“It has given me a new focus and has become an obsession.

“During summer I can be in the garage working with the kiln at dawn.

“I am trying to cram in as much as I can while I can.”