The ‘art’ of improving wellbeing

From a young age, Sandra Le-Dan’s teachers recommended she follow a career as an artist. But it was only decades later, when Ms Le-Dan met her husband, that art became part of her life again.

“When it was my 30th birthday, my husband asked my mother what he could give me as a gift. My mother told him that I was a good artist as a child but didn’t follow it up, so he got me a box with palettes, brushes, oils and a book and said ‘now, go and learn’. I started painting and never looked back,” she recalls.

Painting has helped Ms Le-Dan through some tough times, particularly when she was diagnosed with diabetes and arthritis.

“When I paint, I relax and all the pain goes away. Time goes by and I feel happy,” she says.

Since she started painting, Ms Le-Dan has joined a few art groups, participated in art exhibitions and sold some of her artwork. Her work was recently exhibited in South Australia’s Living Artist’s Exhibition (SALA).

“I am proud to say that I have my work in many countries. A neighbour once bought some paintings to give to friends in the United States, Canada and Europe,” she says.

“I participate in the ACH Group’s ‘Not the Da Vincis’, and meeting with the group is the best part of my week. We are all encouraged to learn and try new things. It is also a great social atmosphere.”

‘Not the Da Vincis’ is part of ACH Group’s Social Links program. The group meets  weekly at the Jubilee Community Centre in Wynn Vale.