Different strokes for 12 different folks: Each one of artist's dozen personalities paints a different picture

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 19:00 EDT, 7 August 2009

A talented artist suffering from a rare personality disorder produces 12 different kinds of paintings depending on which personality is 'in control'.

Kim Noble, who suffers from dissociative identity disorder (DID), uses painting as a coping strategy to deal with some of her different personalities.

Different faces: Kim Noble has dissociative identity disorder and each of her personalities has a different style

But she discovered that 12 of her inner characters produce different artwork that is stunning in its own way.

It is now selling in galleries for several figures and credited to whichever of her personalities produced it.

A TV documentary, which is yet to be screened, shows how the single mother-of-one began painting as a potential therapy to her condition.

Her brilliant achievements have earned her plaudits across the art world and many of her paintings have now been shown in 27 exhibitions and galleries across Europe over the last four years.

Bonny: Kim Noble's maternal personality, a favourite personality with her daughter, painted the colourful Freeze People by Night

Abi (left) and Dawn:  Women in Black (left) is in the style of a fashion illustration, while Naming, by Dawn, seems to show a traumatic scene in earthy hues. Dawn had Kim's daughter Aimee, but does not recognise her after the baby was taken away for six months, so is always searching for her child

Some of the personalities paint dark images in the small hours of the morning. Others paint colourful scenes, abstract images and one prefers to sculpt. The darkest are painted by Ria, and depict scenes of her childhood abuse.

The 47-year-old said: 'Each personality has its own style. Some tend to be more abstract and some like using different colours.

'It can be very strange because I don't always remember what I have done when another personality has been in control.

'So it can be hard to explain which personality prefers doing what. But I think it's safe to say that they all have their own preferences and ways of expressing themselves.'

Anon: This dark oil painting, named edge of the circle, appears to have been painted by her latest, unknown alter ego who prefers to paint dark scenes in the small hours

Kenny: Petals of colour, by one of Kim Noble's depressed alter egos who favours using canvas and oils

The contrast in the style of paintings by each of her personalities is so different that an art competition running at Pallant House in Chichester, has even accepted separate entries from five of Kim's inner people.

'There are about 800 artists who have entered so to have the body responsible for five of those is something that makes me quite proud,' she said.

Miss Noble, from Croydon, London, is thought to have up to 20 different characters. She finally received a correct diagnosis for her disorder 20 years after her mental issues first emerged.

The condition is thought to be related to severe trauma.

'It started as just nightmares when I was younger but then it became much more serious when I was 14,' she said

MJ: This personality, an elective mute, paints abstract images. This one is titled Through The Net

'Over the years different doctors have diagnosed me as having schizophrenia, anorexia, depression. In many ways some of them were right. One of my personalities is anorexic so they weren't totally wrong. But it wasn't getting the whole problem.' 

In 1995 a psychotherapist was finally able to explain her problems were caused by DID.

In later treatment, at University College London with memory expert Professor John Morton, Kim learned her condition was unusually severe.

She said: 'He did a lot of memory tests and told me he had never met a DID sufferer with so such strong divisions between the personalities. He found no memories existed between some of them.

Patricia: Untitled Purple by a 'sensible' personality called Patricia who sometimes holds fort. She uses different colours to paint desert scenes

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Suzie (left) and Unknown: Pure is by a personality who always paints a kneeling mother, and Weeping Clown (right) is by an unknown and unnamed personality. The dark oil painting shows blindfolded naked children and one wearing a creepy clown's face

'Sometimes I get blackouts when I have been one of the personalities and Professor Morton's explanation helped me to make sense of it. Some of the personalities do not know we are suffering from DID and some know but won't accept it. A few of them don't even know that others exist.' 

Despite the confusing nature of her illness Kim is happy it has led her to painting.

'The DID diagnosis finally gave me an answer to it all and I was allocated some support workers who knew what they were dealing with. One of them introduced me to painting,' said Kim.

During a session in 2005 at Kim's home, carer Debbie McCoy, now an art therapist, suggested painting as a means of relaxing and six months later encouraged her patient to take it more seriously.

Judy: The painting, called Eating Disorder, is by a teenage alter who suffers from anorexia and bulimia, gets up to mischief with Aimee, and does not believe in DID

'She took me out to buy some paints and a canvass and we decided I would try and do it properly instead of just doodling.'  

In just 10 months Kim, who has a daughter Aimee, 12, had her first art exhibited and now four years later has produced over 200 pieces through her multiple characters.

'Painting is a way that some of the personalities can come together so it has really helped me. It is something many of them have in common and a way for them to bond,' she said.

The documentary on the mother's amazing life is due to be aired next year.

Karen: This alter ego paints similar abstract images in different hues