Peter Howson learned to work with his left hand

ARTIST Peter Howson has told how he learned to paint with his left hand after crippling arthritis left him unable to work.

Howson, 60, was working on his oil painting Prophecy when the symptoms started.

Instead of resting and waiting for a diagnosis, he adapted and improved as a painter.

Howson said: “I’m having to hold the brush in such a funny way but, strangely, it’s working for me technique-wise.

“For some reason, I get more control.”

The Scot underwent Botox treatment two years ago to help him continue working, after his wrist and other joints started to swell.

He was given injections in the wrist after developing a hand tremor and pain in his joints.

Howson said: “It was a terrible, deep pain. I couldn’t sleep for it. In the BY MICHAEL PRINGLE end, it wasn’t just my hand that was swollen but my wrist and my elbow, then my ankles.

“I did a whole experiment for about six months where I tried working with my left hand only. Everything was facing the opposite way to the way I normally draw.”

Doctors initially thought he may have diabetes or gout but treatment failed to remedy the problem.

The artist, who lives in Glasgow, was finally diagnosed with arthritis a few weeks ago. He said: “At least I know what it is now, which is comforting in a way, and I can deal with it, but it makes painting difficult at times. If I get a bad episodes, I can’t do anything.”

A film documenting Howson’s canvas creation Prophecy will premiere at this month’s Glasgow Film Festival.