Kintsugi

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery and highlighting the damage with a precious metal. Not only is the object’s function restored, but the new gold-covered cracks add beauty. Symbolically, Kintsugi urges us to accept our imperfections, see beauty in life’s scars, and embrace restorative opportunities.

This painting illustrates my Parkinson’s journey; the shift from feeling broken by my Parkinson’s symptoms to accepting and embracing them. Using gold leaf to surround the bowl further highlights how good it feels to be valued, even with a degenerative disease.

What do I want to say with my art? Claim all the joy you can while you can and scatter joy with abandon! Whether you draw with crayon, make masterpieces with wood, or write letters of blessing to others, your artistic outreach can bolster your self-worth while helping others feel valued, too.

Used by permission of the artist.