Erhard (Ed) Ciolina, now 80, was in his 60s when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Accepting a new challenge, he began painting in an abstract expressionism style. Ciolina recalls immediately feeling a purpose to live and escape out of a corner.

“My secret to Parkinson’s is to be happy, stay happy, to always have fun and to stay in good shape and mind,” said Ciolina. “My most joy, I find, is in painting.”

He is sharing the benefits of creating an exhibit of his work, “The Elephant-Bird Syndrome: Living with Parkinson’s,” through Nov. 25 at Olney Gallery at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 100 W. Roosevelt St., Phoenix.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. A free parking garage is available for guests.

An opening reception is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7.

A related event, “Creativity and the Shaking Palsy: Approaching a History of Parkinson’s Disease,” is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21.

Dorothy Porter, a professor in the department of anthropology, history and social medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, will be the speaker.

“When I paint, it’s like bringing birth to my art,” explained Ciolina.

“I hold no attachment to any technique, timeframe or outcome. I just do whatever I feel, doing without question or judgment, an entirely open and uninhibited vehicle.

“I feel like I am a tool when I am painting, just hoping for the outcome. At last the painting tells me when it is alive. Excitement and satisfaction same moment, each time, just as it would be my first or last creation.”

Starting in his teen years, Ciolina visited major museums and toured art galleries while circling the globe three times. Contemporary art became his favorite art form.

As a student, he met his wife Evamaria, who earned a doctorate in art history. The couple visited the United States about 25 times over the years before deciding to retire to Arizona. He was 58 years old when he retired as CEO of an electronics company in Munich, Germany.

They became U.S. naturalized citizens.

As much as he appreciated art, Ciolina never tried painting until he attended the local Parkinson’s support group.

A snowbird member asked Ciolina to finish a painting when the individual returned to his full-time residence.

“I never had a brush in my hand before,” said Ciolina. He completed the painting and went on to tackle other canvasses.

“I love to paint abstract,” he added. “I have joy. I’m happy. This happiness gives me the power to take Parkinson’s as it is.”

Ciolina sells paintings online at his website, eciolina.com. He paints to express his feelings, and if someone else enjoys them, he’s appreciative.

“My secret to Parkinson’s is to be happy, stay happy,” said Ciolina.