Karen, daughter of the artist, by John Paterson. © Paterson Family.

Creativity: The True Art of Therapy is on show at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum until October 24 and tells a story of courage and hope.

The exhibition presents a selection of original work produced by John Paterson, who died in 1998 after a battle with two debilitating neurological conditions.

The Smith’s Maria Devaney told the 24 Hour Museum how the exhibition includes paintings and drawings from the 1970s, right up to the final pieces John produced in 1994.

It has, she explained, proved a moving experience for many visitors: "It has had quite an impact because anyone who has been touched by these diseases or been involved in any way has wanted to come and see it," she said.

"You can almost see the progress through the exhibition of the effects of the illness and there are some line drawings where it’s very clear so people have found them very moving."

A graduate of Glasgow School of Art, John Paterson (1947-1998) spent his life working as a Psychiatric Nurse, but continued to draw and paint throughout the 1970s.

As the 80s drew to a close and the 90s dawned, John began to feel as if his strength was draining away and decided to take two years out of nursing to concentrate on his art.

During this time he drew and painted everyday as if he didn’t have much time left. Eventually he was unable to wield his brushes and, determined never to give up, returned to nursing.

Self-Portrait by John Paterson. © Paterson Family.

One day a colleague advised him about drinking on duty, prompting John to seek medical help; he didn't drink.

Tests revealed he had CIDP, a rare form of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) - a neurological condition that affects feet and hands and can rapidly cause paralysis.

Although there is no cure, treatments have proved effective and the majority of people make a full recovery. The likes of Tony Benn and Morton Wieghorst are among the better-known cases.

But John didn’t recover and when doctors investigated, they diagnosed Motor Neurone Disease (MND), telling his wife Catherine that he wouldn’t see the end of the year.

John was virtually unique in being diagnosed with both GBS and MND and eventually he succumbed in 1998.

Despite the subject matter and underlying presence of a life slipping away, the display acts as testament to John’s love of life and resolution that no matter how bleak life is, there’s always hope.

This is reflected in the name of the Dochas Fund, the charity he founded with his wife Catherine. Dochas is Gaelic for hope and also the motto of his adopted hometown, Lochgilphead in Argyll.

Using his art to help others was the perfect way to give his work a real purpose. So, cards and prints of his work were produced and their sales continue to support others whose lives are affected by either of the conditions he suffered from.

For more information about the charity John and his wife set up, visit the Dochas Fund website.