Dr. Patel submitted two paintings: one depicting a vibrant toucan and another featuring a pair of flamingos. She says a trip to Costa Rica, home to many species of colorful wildlife, was the inspiration for both paintings. She received a cash prize for the toucan painting, which won first place in the amateur category. (Her father teased that since she earned money for her art, she’s now technically a professional artist.)
Dr. Patel says that while she was in Chicago, several of her paintings were also displayed at an art show and then at a local brewery. Chicago supports a rich art culture, as does the city of Austin. She says her next step is to reach out to local artists and get involved in the Austin art community.
Images from left to right:
Left: This piece, A Colorful Place, captures Dr. Patel’s love of color, mixing textures and birds.
Middle: Ocean’s Eight, by Dr. Patel
Right: Dr. Patel’s piece, Toucan Blam! earned first place in a staff art competition at the University of Chicago Medical Center in 2017.
Just for Fun
Dr. Patel says practicing art and rheumatology have taught her to accept “the grayness” in life and helped her open up emotionally. She explains that it doesn’t bother her if something isn’t exact or off center. She believes developing that mindset has made her a better artist and rheumatologist.
At least nine of her paintings hang on her apartment walls, and her parents’ home is filled with many more paintings, perhaps another 100, says Dr. Patel.
Click here to listen to Dr. Patel’s interview.
Despite her father’s teasing, she has no plans to sell any of them. She prefers to practice art as a hobby, without worrying about deadlines or critics, and paint or draw whenever she is inspired.
“Art is like a meditation,” she says, adding that her paintings take roughly two months to complete. “It’s really nice to go through the whole process of deciding something to paint, getting the supplies and then working on it. I really like working with mixed media, using prints and bright colors.”
In the near future, she plans to attend art classes to develop a deeper understanding of the technicality of art, such as light, perspective and depth, which she believes will enhance her artistic skills. Besides focusing on nature or animals, she also hopes to explore different mediums, including drawing and graffiti art.
She encourages other physicians to explore their artistic side: “Take some art classes. Just get out and try art. The beauty of art is there’s no wrong answer.
“There’s a lot of art in the way physicians practice rheumatology,” adds Dr. Patel, pointing to engaging in sensitive discussions with patients as an example.
