Michael Sawyer

Michael Evan Sawyer was the eldest of two sons to Eric and Jessie Sawyer born in Mission, BC Canada in 1942 . Micheal began drawing as a child and by the time he was attending university at the University of British Columbia, Canada, he was steeped in the hippie culture and his patterned pen and ink drawings were soon the designs for band posters. It wasn’t until his experimentation with psychedelics in the late 1960's that he began an intense period of watercolour painting. In 1975 Michael moved to Northern California three years after his brother Ken, to join community and study Buddhism. By 1980 his desire to paint had completely diminished. In 1985 Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This was a new teacher for him and despite a disease that would ultimately all but deprive him of control of his motor skills, It was in 1986 that Michael would then go on to pick up the brush and continue his watercolour painting. The student was also the teacher and his art touched the lives of all who witnessed it.

Artist Biography

Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis

In 1985 Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement.. Gradually his motor skills and eye sight would deteriorate. Individuals with Parkinson's experience symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, slowed movements, and impaired balance. The tremors and stiffness associated with the condition make it difficult to maintain a steady hand, resulting in challenges in creating fine details and delicate layers of colour. After this diagnosis and a 15 year hiatus from painting, the desire to paint came back with an undeniable insistence. He went on to paint a new style and an unfloding inner freedom, post diagnosis,. Each with diminishing precision. he went on to paint over 20 more pieces creating a body of American Buddhist artwork. Micahel passed away peacefully in 2008 at the age of 66.

Below is one of his post-diagnosis works of art "Manjusri".