Healing Art: Don’t Let Anything Ruin Your Day

When Robert Flatt was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he refused to let the news alter his belief that life is good. Taking vivid photographs of the natural wonders he had previously overlooked helped him cope, and he realized the power of the beauty he observed could help others, too. His inspirational personal story and empowering reflections urge readers to be open to the presence of joy, even in the face of challenges. All profits from the sale of Healing Art go directly to Houston Area Parkinson’s Society (HAPS), whose mission is to improve the quality of life for those affected by Parkinson’s disease through services, education and advocacy. Please help Robert’s healing art help others by purchasing this meaningful book today.

Robert Flatt earned his bachelor of arts and masters of science in electrical engineering from Rice University and his MBA from Harvard University. He spent thirty-one years in the oil service industry as an engineer and businessman before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1999. In the wake of his diagnosis, he left Cameron International Corporation and enrolled in photography courses at Rice University to pursue his passion for photography. His ties to his alma mater grew when he became an adjunct professor of the Jones Graduate School of Business Administration. His photographs appear in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and have been on permanent display at Rice University, the Katy Prairie Conservancy and many hospitals throughout Houston, including the Neurology Department of the Baylor College of Medicine and Memorial Hermann Hospital. His photography has been selected for exhibition at FotoFest five times since 2008 and for the Houston Center for Photography 32nd Annual Membership Competition. He has self-published two photography books, West Boulevard Night-Herons and Rice’s Owls, which garnered multiple awards. Robert and his wife, Nancy, live in Houston, Texas. They have two children and five grandchildren.