Art is in the eye of the beholder. For Steve Ting, nicknamed the “copycat,” his art is replicating some of the most popular masterpieces and calling it his own. It’s a way for him to express himself, heal and fight a deep depression.
After losing his wife at the age of 85, Steve joined an estimated 350 million people worldwide who are battling clinical depression. His doctors prescribed medicine, but his friends at his new home at Stoneridge Creek senior living community suggested a dose of art.
For the first time in his life, he joined an art class held at Stoneridge Creek. This is where he found new friendships and a way to cope with his feelings. Within three months of starting the class, he stopped taking antidepressants, and found himself feeling better than he’d felt in years.
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Research shows that programs like art classes have beneficial outcomes for seniors like Steve. They improve self-esteem and cognitive function, as well as reduce stress and increase social interactions.
Steve says the class changed his life. He’s able to put his feelings and anxieties on paper, and he does it well. His art hangs on the walls of local businesses and is framed within his own home at Stoneridge Creek.
