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November 26, 2001
My name is Rafael Joseph Gonzalez. I have had the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease for approximately 18 years now. The first symptom of PD was an unexplainable limp in my right leg. Before I saw a Neurologist, I could barely stand, walk, or even sleep very much. This website represents my contribution to the education about PD and the therapeutic effects of art on my condition.
First, before taking the tour of the virtual gallery, I would like you to get to know a little about me. I was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in November of 1998. Since then my life has changed dramatically. Watercolor painting has helped me take a positive step toward life, and gave me something valuable to do with my time. I never realized it would take me on such a remarkable journey of self-discovery.
I hope you enjoy the paintings as much as I did painting them. Special thanks to minasdesign.com for the outstanding web site design. Enjoy!
Having Parkinson's Disease (PD) made me decide to live each day to the fullest and to live my life, "one day at a time". In January 1999,soon after being diagnosed with PD, I began my journey on the road to becoming a watercolor artist. Ever since I was a little boy, I had wanted to be an artist. I had given up on the idea in my early twenties, thinking I had no talent and not enough money to pursue my calling as an artist. Then, with the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, I decided to try painting and to see if I were still as passionate about it as I had been in my youthful days. No longer worried if I had talent or not, I decided that painting for me was in the words of Robert Frost's poem, "The Road Not Taken."
I plunged into beginners' books on watercolor painting and started with no skills or knowledge of watercolor art. Without any formal training in watercolor art, and only one formal course of charcoal drawing, I embarked on my journey. I have become a self-taught watercolor artist.
With the encouragement of wonderful friends and family, I have continued to paint and study the techniques of watercolor painting. The journey into my world of becoming an artist began in January 1999 and continues to this day. I know in my heart and soul that painting is for me the path to strength and spirituality. I hope my paintings reflect my own belief that God speaks to me in the silent moments of my life. He speaks to me though my "inner voice," which I hope is reflected in my art. I paint by intuition. I don't plan out a painting, I let it happen. I paint from the "seat of my pants".
Lately, I have found a lot of joy in painting my "Lady Bugs of the New Millenium" series of watercolors. At first I was hesitant to paint "bugs", but soon found that these little insects brought me and a lot of people happiness, laughter, and a bit of warmth in a sometimes too cold and harsh world. I enjoy doing something that I always secretly longed to do and that is to be a working artist. I have recently added a gallery to the first floor of my home and I invite watercolor art lovers to write me and let me know if they would like to visit in person.
For me, the path to creativity has and will be the path to spirituality. I have been thrown to my own devices, and I have come up with all manner of energy and resources.
My wish is that you also get to do that which you love to do, and in the process find meaning for your life on Earth.
Yesterday is but a dream,
Tomorrow is but a vision.
Today well-lived makes
Every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.
-Sanskrit proverb
Now let me invite you to tour the Internet gallery of my art. I hope you enjoy it, and it brings you a little joy.
