Key West resident Timothy Vallilee is using his paintbrush to fight Parkinson’s disease. He is one of thirteen artists whose artwork was selected to appear in the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation’s (PDF) 2015 Creativity and Parkinson’s Calendar. His watercolor painting entitled, “Melanie’s Beach Party,” is the featured artwork for the month of June in PDF’s nationally distributed calendar that helps to raise awareness.

After Mr. Vallilee was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2007, he says he discovered painting to be a “great blessing” and serve as a therapeutic outlet.

“I had never painted before a friend handed me a brush and said ‘paint what you see.’ I’ve been painting nearly everyday since. The best thing about being an artist is discovering myself and the world outside and feeling the appreciation of others,” says Mr. Vallilee.

He soon found he was not alone in this sentiment. More than 400 other people with Parkinson’s have shared their artwork and experiences with PDF’s Creativity and Parkinson’s Project. The Project explores, supports and encourages the therapeutic value of creativity in Parkinson’s. Mr. Vallilee’s festive watercolor beach party scene was chosen among these individuals to be featured in PDF’s annual print calendar, which is distributed nationwide to nearly 20,000 people.

PDF President Robin Elliott said, “PDF is proud to showcase Mr. Vallilee’s artwork in the calendar. His work serves as a source of hope and inspiration to the nearly one million others in the US living with Parkinson’s disease.”

To order the 2015 Creativity and Parkinson’s Calendar, contact the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation at (800) 457-6676 or [email protected]. To view more of Mr. Vallilee’s artwork and others in the online gallery, visit www.pdf.org/creativity.

About Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the US. Although promising research is being conducted, there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s.

About PDF’s Creativity and Parkinson’s Project

Many people with Parkinson’s report that creative activities – such as painting, drawing, playing instruments or singing – ease Parkinson’s symptoms. PDF’s Creativity and Parkinson’s Project encourages those living with the disease to explore their creativity and its potentially beneficial side effects. PDF welcomes all forms of creativity and hosts an online gallery of artwork, shares artists’ inspiring stories and publishes an annual calendar featuring the work of 13 artists living with the disease. To learn more, visit www.pdf.org/creativity.

About the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) is a leading national presence in Parkinson’s disease research, education and public advocacy. We are working for the nearly one million people in the US who live with Parkinson’s disease by funding promising scientific research while supporting people living with Parkinson’s disease through educational programs and services. Since its founding in 1957, PDF has dedicated $105 million to fund the work of leading scientists throughout the world and $44 million to support education and advocacy programs.