Recently, I added another medium to my roster of Art commissions - Cremation Art. It began last year when a friend asked me if I would take some of her pet's ashes and create a piece of art for her. My first response was eew. However, after encouragement from my friend and research on the chemistry of cremated ash - said "why not".

My friend always gravitates to my encaustics, so I created an abstract, encasing a couple tbsps of ash into wax and oils. Turned out magnificently; my friend Loves Loves it and it hangs in her office. Always an abstract, never a portrait - trying to capture the essence not the image. You can view her piece here http://www.cjsgallerycana...orial.html

I've been slowly integrating promo around the city and a couple months ago rec'd a call from the Humane Society. I met with them and after hearing about their long term, feral, shelter cat EMMA, I agreed to do a trade-off (painting in return for publicity). For this particular piece I used plaster layering ash and plaster into 3-D FX. I presented 'Emma' back to them a couple weeks ago and was swarmed in the front lobby by about 25 people. EVERYONE had come out of their offices eager to see. Some had tears in their eyes as I was explaining the process. Of course, every artist loves to see and hear real reactive emotion, but I wasn't exactly sure where this emotion was emanating from - as I have, understandably, received from some people a real stand-off response. And that's OK, I know this is not for everyone, but for the most part, many are liking the idea. These days, the choices we have to memorialize our pets are many - jewelry, diamond crystals, eternal reefs and of course now - 3-D print outs - so why not a piece of Art.

Follow up with the Humane Society was highly favorable and from it has come another commission. HOWEVER, imagine my response, when a call came this week from someone asking me to do 'BOB' - and Bob ain't no pet - hahaha. If Bob's body wasn't embalmed prior to cremation, I think I'm good with it. Apparently, Bob withdrew from society in the last 10 years of his life and put all his energy, to the point of obsession, into preparing 10 acres of meadow land - for Moose. Certainly stimulates some ideas for me.

Be interested in hearing your responses. Curious.

ha! 24 views and not one comment. Guess that sums it up. Thx org.

oh for Pete's sake - really? NOBODY down with this concept. REALLY?

tinaz said:

I dont know what you want us to say? Any comment I would make would not be seen as positive.. I applaud your idea, however its not for me.. If other people love it GREAT!! I wish you continued success!!

Yes Tinaz - this is basically all I'm looking for - a yeah or a neh. Even though I've had good feedback in real time, I am attempting to measure how the average person feels about this - thru orgers. I expect some blasphemy. Thought it might be open for some good discussion, ya know, aside from the 'why does it take women longer to orgasm' and 'flea bitten sluts' LOL.

Tinaz - thanks for your response.

nice idea for pets but let's have a bit more respect for human remains!

appreciate responses. Thanks!

excited said:

nice idea for pets but let's have a bit more respect for human remains!

I think it's cool!

How is burying them in the ground or sprinkling them on a hill any more respectful than creating a piece of art in their honour?

excited said:

nice idea for pets but let's have a bit more respect for human remains!

Excited - from this I take that YOU would be adverse to someone memorializing YOU through a beautiful piece of art? I think that's the question you must ask first. Personally, I would be honored to be REMEMBERED in this way. At least I might not be completely forgotten and from time to time my name would be spoken and maybe even a story or two about me would be initiated and shared through family, friends and newcomers viewing the piece - even generations down the line. Because, let's face it, unless you are famous and have left something for posterity, largely you will be forgotten. I like the idea of someone looking at the work and remembering ME.

Red said:

If I want people to think of me, I would rather it be in an actual image of me via photograph/video.

I would not want people to see an artist's rendering with my remains as a medium. I just don't want to be reduced to chalk.

I mean we all return to the earth and I would want to be IN the earth, feeding plants and bringing forth new life.

IMHO

[Edited 7/29/13 16:32pm]

Red said:

excited said:

nice idea for pets but let's have a bit more respect for human remains!

Excited - from this I take that YOU would be adverse to someone memorializing YOU through a beautiful piece of art? I think that's the question you must ask first. Personally, I would be honored to be REMEMBERED in this way. At least I might not be completely forgotten and from time to time my name would be spoken and maybe even a story or two about me would be initiated and shared through family, friends and newcomers viewing the piece - even generations down the line. Because, let's face it, unless you are famous and have left something for posterity, largely you will be forgotten. I like the idea of someone looking at the work and remembering ME.

hello red,

well i don't want to be cremated for starters so it would be a bit difficult to incorporate me into a painting!

& if i were cremated, the art would have to be pretty superfantabulous, worthy of hanging in the louvre or someplace magnificent

otherwise forget it! the chances are that couple of generations down the line, probably sooner, a creepy painting with your great nan's ashes gonna end up in a skip.

i know people do all sorts with ashes these days, i don't think your idea is original & i don't see the prob with animal remains.

you can call me old fashioned but burial is a primitive urge & allows dignified closure imo.

alright - this is good feedback. Thx

Billie - it's only exploitation for $ if you advertise/promote the fact. I do pets; the service has never been offered/advertised for humans. The person came to me - and honestly, I don't have a problem with it and I'll bet it won't be the last human request, but it won't be something I promote either. I'm not asking anyone to 'love' the idea, but I did think it was worthy of discussion and I wanted to hear your opinion, of which I am certain many others share with you Billie, at least on the human level. Thanks for voicing yours.

Excited - you're right, the petscape thing is not my original idea and I didn't go hunting for it. I was approached. I love animals and in my years have gone thru many pets and heartbreaks. I also love painting and the journey that these pets have taken me on were undeniably enjoyable. For me - it's a win/win. On a side note re human burial vs cremation - I understand many faiths forbid cremation, even the christian church did not allow cremated ash inside the church until 1997 - and really when you think about it - that wasn't that long ago, but ideas change, evolve and it's now acceptable by most Catholic churches. Burial and the slow process of decay creeps me out and I don't think, at least at this time that I subscribe to the biblical concept of burial for resurrection and reunion. I want it fast and clean and blown with the wind, nourishing whatever I land on.

To me, ash is simply by-product, I'm not deconstructing the soul.

[Edited 7/29/13 23:56pm]

I just added a photo of a new piece. 'Emma' the feral cat.

http://www.cjsgallerycana...orial.html