Art an escape and expression for award-winning Limestone Coast artist, Paul

Award-winning artist and Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services client, Mr Paul Sundstrom, has discovered not only a talent for painting, but a powerful way to express emotion, find calm and stay connected to his community.

Paul has been painting for around four years, after his psychologist encouraged him to explore art as a creative outlet. Since then, it has become an essential part of his life.

‘Painting takes me out of this world,’ Paul says. ‘It’s an escape.’

Paul has been entering the Myriad Art Exhibition since 2022 and has been awarded first prize for his work. A mixed-media artist, Paul creates intuitively, allowing his emotions and thoughts to guide each piece.

‘I just paint what comes into my mind,’ Paul says. ‘My paintings come through from my emotions. When I started, I was painting a lot of monsters. My emotions were high. These days, I want to create beauty. I want to make beautiful things.’

Paul has donated artworks to Resthaven Limestone Coast Community Services, where they are displayed proudly in the offices in Millicent, Mount Gambier and Naracoorte.

One of these pieces is painted onto a piece of bark.

‘I wanted to do something nice for the Resthaven office,’ Paul says. ‘My artwork is evolving into something better.’

Paul has also created a collage reflecting his experience as a Resthaven client. The piece features nurses’ gloves, flowers and birds, symbolising care, support and compassion.

‘It tells the story of my experience with Resthaven,’ Paul says. ‘It’s about care and helping — and that’s pure Resthaven from my point of view.’

Paul’s generosity doesn’t stop with art. He is also known for regularly bringing flowers into the Resthaven office, helping to care for them in a friend’s garden before gifting them to staff.

‘I get feedback from the workers that they’re very grateful for the flowers,’ Paul says. ‘They tell me, “Paul, you made my day”.’

Paul has lived in the Limestone Coast since 1998, after moving across the border from Hamilton in Victoria. He receives care and support from Resthaven in his home, helping him remain independent.

‘The Resthaven carers and nurses who see me are all wonderful people — they all have their hearts in the job,’ Paul says. ‘It’s a beautiful organisation to be involved with, from upper management all the way down. Resthaven is a good place.’