Walter Fernandes is a Scarborough-based artist whose creative journey is deeply intertwined with his lived experience of Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosed in 2016, Walter faced a profound turning point that reshaped not only his daily life but also his sense of purpose. At the time of his diagnosis, art was not an active part of his life. In fact, he had not picked up a paintbrush since high school. It was only three years ago that Walter began working with oil paints, marking the start of an unexpected and transformative artistic path.
What began as a personal exploration soon evolved into a meaningful practice rooted in healing, reflection, and connection. Through art, Walter has found a way to navigate the physical and emotional challenges of Parkinson’s while inspiring others to rediscover creativity as a powerful form of self-expression.
Rediscovering Art Later in Life
Walter’s return to painting was neither planned nor driven by ambition. It emerged through encouragement from his family and the steady support of social workers who recognized the potential of creative engagement as a therapeutic outlet. Their belief in him became a foundation upon which Walter slowly rebuilt confidence, curiosity, and self-trust.
Working primarily with oil paints, Walter embraced the medium for its depth, texture, and forgiving nature. The slow-drying quality of oil paint allowed him to work at his own pace, aligning the creative process with the rhythm of his body and mind. Painting became less about outcomes and more about presence. Each session offered focus, calm, and a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing the idea that creativity does not disappear with time or diagnosis.
Painting with Parkinson’s: Art as a Path to Healing
From this deeply personal experience, Walter founded Painting with Parkinson’s, an initiative dedicated to promoting art therapy as a tool for healing, empowerment, and community connection for individuals living with Parkinson’s. The initiative is grounded in the belief that creativity can support mental and emotional well-being while reducing isolation and restoring confidence.
Through workshops, community gatherings, and the sale of his artwork, Painting with Parkinson’s creates accessible spaces where individuals are encouraged to express themselves freely, without pressure or expectation. The initiative emphasizes process over perfection, allowing participants to focus on exploration, emotional release, and connection rather than technical skill. In doing so, Walter challenges conventional narratives around illness, productivity, and artistic identity.
Themes Rooted in Resilience and Connection
Walter Fernandes’ artwork reflects the emotional landscape of living with Parkinson’s while remaining universally relatable. His paintings explore themes of resilience, solitude, companionship, and quiet strength. Rather than portraying struggle as defeat, his work reveals moments of stillness, reflection, and perseverance.
There is a gentle intensity in his compositions that invites viewers to slow down and engage emotionally. Figures and forms often suggest introspection, vulnerability, and endurance, capturing states of being that words alone cannot express. Walter’s work does not seek to explain Parkinson’s but instead offers a human perspective shaped by lived experience. Through color and form, he transforms personal challenges into shared moments of understanding.
Exhibitions and Community Presence
Walter’s paintings have been featured at a range of community-centered events that reflect his commitment to inclusivity and dialogue. His work has been showcased at the Deputy Mayor of Toronto’s Harvest Fest, St. Joseph’s Centre of Hope for Women, and the upcoming Diverse Unity Fest. These exhibitions emphasize accessibility and engagement, allowing audiences from diverse backgrounds to encounter his work in welcoming, non-traditional art spaces.
Beyond physical exhibitions, Walter’s story and practice have been highlighted by platforms such as The Art Insight and The ArtMuseXpress. These features recognize artists whose work is shaped by resilience, authenticity, and purpose, further extending the reach of Walter’s message. Through these platforms, his journey continues to resonate with individuals navigating illness, change, or creative rediscovery.
The Role of Support and Community
Central to Walter’s journey is the unwavering support of his family and social workers. Their encouragement played a vital role in helping him take the first steps back into creativity and sustain his artistic practice over time. This network of care has not only supported Walter personally but has also influenced the values behind Painting with Parkinson’s.
Community, for Walter, is not an abstract concept but a lived experience. His work and initiative consistently highlight the importance of connection, shared vulnerability, and mutual encouragement. By fostering environments where individuals feel seen and supported, Walter reinforces the idea that healing is rarely solitary and that creativity flourishes in collective spaces.
Artwork Highlight: LONELY AND BLUE
One of Walter Fernandes’ most compelling works, LONELY AND BLUE, is an oil painting on card that captures solitude with striking emotional clarity. Created as part of Painting with Parkinson’s, the artwork transforms isolation into a contemplative and expressive state rather than a moment of despair.
Through restrained color and subtle gesture, LONELY AND BLUE reflects the quiet emotional weight that often accompanies solitude while maintaining a sense of dignity and introspection. The work invites viewers to sit with stillness and recognize loneliness as a shared human experience. It stands as a powerful example of Walter’s ability to translate complex emotions into visual language that resonates deeply and personally.
A Continuing Journey of Creativity and Advocacy
Walter Fernandes’ story is a testament to the enduring power of creativity and the importance of compassionate support systems. His journey demonstrates that art can emerge at any stage of life and serve as both a personal refuge and a platform for advocacy. Through Painting with Parkinson’s, Walter continues to inspire individuals to embrace creativity as a tool for healing, connection, and self-discovery.
His work challenges assumptions about illness and artistic identity, reminding audiences that creativity is not limited by diagnosis but can, in fact, be strengthened by lived experience. With honesty, humility, and purpose, Walter Fernandes continues to paint a narrative of resilience, proving that even in moments of uncertainty, art can offer clarity, meaning, and hope.
