GRIEF ART CEREMONY
about grief
"Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that’s important to you. You may feel a variety of emotions, like sadness or loneliness, and you might experience it for a number of different reasons... Everyone grieves differently, but if you understand your emotions, take care of yourself, and seek support, you can heal" - WebMD.
“We see that in life it is necessary to grieve those things that no longer serve us and let them go. We experience conflicts, loved ones die or suffer, dreams never manifest, illnesses occur, relationships break up, and there are unexpected natural disasters. It is so important to have ways to release those pains to keep clearing ourselves. Hanging on to old pain just makes it grow until it smothers our creativity, our joy, and our ability to connect with others. It may even kill us." - Sobonfu Some
If you want a further understanding, explore the resources below.
about the ceremony
What began as a simple art commission request, evolved into a healing ceremony. In this ceremony, you get to share your grief story and be witnessed, while I listen and translate your story through illustration. This ceremony can be a way for you to access and work through your grief in a safe setting, and to honor your grief story by allowing it to transform into art.
The ceremony begins by creating a safe space together. I share an introduction to the particular rituals of the ceremony, as well as some cross cultural practices for grieving. Next, you get a chance to share your grief story. I remain present, curious, and listen deeply while sketching the images that arise within me. The end result of this process is a piece of art that seeks to reflect back to you the essence of what you shared. We will close our time together in a supportive way.
I take the original sketch to my studio and develop a more detailed drawing. I trace it with ink, scan, and color it digitally to create a colorful and unique art print that is just for you. Whether it be placed on your grief alter or a grave site, shared with a loved one, or used in another ceremony, this art print is intended to represent and honor your grief story.
The final product
All prints will be delivered unframed, 8.5" x 11" in size, and printed using archival inks, uncoated matte finish on heavy card stock. Larger sizes can be made available. Please, allow for two additional weeks for me to complete the art print and mail it to you.
Explore the gallery below to see art prints that were created through this process.
cost
This offering is available on a pay-what-you-can basis. I recommend any amount between $20 to $150, plus shipping.
how to register
If you'd to receive this offering, just email me. We can arrange a convenient time that works best for us. The ceremony will be held (in order of preference) either in person in my studio, through Zoom video conference, or over the phone, and will last no more than one hour.
RESOURCES
Videos:
Martin Prechtel's "Grief and Praise" talk, in three parts:
Sobonfu Some - Grieving to Recover our Spirit
Books:
The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller
The Smell of Rain on Dust by Martin Prechtel
It's Ok that You're Not Ok by Megan Devine
Poem:
Adrift by Mark Nepo
Everything is beautiful and I am so sad.
This is how the heart makes a duet of
wonder and grief. The light spraying
through the lace of the fern is as delicate
as the fibers of memory forming their web
around the knot in my throat. The breeze
makes the birds move from branch to branch
as this ache makes me look for those I've lost
in the next room, in the next song, in the laugh
of the next stranger. In the very center, under
it all, what we have that no one can take
away and all that we've lost face each other.
It is there that I'm adrift, feeling punctured
by a holiness that exists inside everything.
I am so sad and everything is beautiful.
