Valerie!,

Congratulations for having such an open mind and for site to create these very special memorials. I, too, paint with cremains and have done so for a number of years and love it when I run into like minded artists. My work consists of people as well as pets and you are very welcome to view them at http:/www.denicelewisfineart.com, http:/www.denicelewis.com, as well as, http:/www.petmemorialsfromtheheart.com It seems we share a very unique and extraordinary vision from a very loving place and I sincerely encourage you to pursue your work! It is lovely! And don't let the negative comments from those without the capability to think a bit more broadly about this new and very respectful way of saying goodbye while memorializing their lives ever cross your mind for a minute. You are providing much more than a service! And should you care to contact me at denice@denicelewisfineart.com I would be happy to share some of the techniques I use that really bring the work to life. I hope all is well with you and that you are having a beautiful and blessed day!

Best regards,

Denice Lewis

Actually, my friend Denice Lewis has been using cremains in memorial art for over seven years. You may view her work at: http://www.denicelewis.com and at http://www.petmemorialsfromtheheart.com

All you guys are being a bunch of ashes!

"What idiots resort to name calling"...you apparently!

to all of you who say this is not normal,what is normal exactly?in out society there is nothing as you call "normal"so tell us what you define as normal?if a person finds comfort in this,then i think thats normal for them.

What idiots to resort to name calling.. People should learn to think "out of the box" a bit maybe..Then possibly keep their negative thoughts to themselves.. Some remarks were just rude and not necessary.

mikkki- I don't think any one is being rude because they don't agree with this.
I too think it is weird and creepy. I would prefer my loved one to be contained or (illegally) spread out somewhere.
I do agree taking all this land to bury a NICE piece of wood(what a waste) with a dead body in it is weird. Then hide the wood in a hunk of cement.If you would like an address I would prefer the small box with urn inside, like on Milton Av. I don't know if I would display and urn or not. I prefer to take all my organs you can to help others and burn the rest.

I do agree if this is what makes you feel better and closer to your loved one go ahead.

I think this is beautiful! I will keep your name for the future. Your art work will leave us with meaningful memories. Thanks!

I have thought of having my cremains be part of a man made reef and even donate my body to a project like body worlds...the plasticsized human body museum display. Everyone has their own thoughts, feelinggs and religous beliefs on the subject of death. Me I figure once I am gone why not be part of something bigger. I don't need my body any longer...I should put it to some good use.
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I have a friend who had her husband creamated and spread his ashes at various travel spots they use to go to (Mexico, Florida, camping etc... all his favoritew places., She also put a small amount into 2 nceklaces, one for her and one their daughter. She felt that way he would always be with them. Works for her...don't see why a painting would be that much different.

Wait a second - doesn't this lock that person's immortal soul into the painting, keeping them from crossing over into heaven?

I just love it when someone does something nice for people, like this woman does (she's not going out there, stealing bodies)...
Folks will be in here calling names.
Customers come to her for a reason.
Your little comments are rude to those who have used her services.
How about we call you sick because you buried Aunt Martha to rot underground and become worm food?

I think this is a great idea. Not what I want for me, but I know a lot of people who would be comforted by this.

As for the paintings not being "original"; Valerie Saxer states in the article she will also do original artwork. The other paintings are probably more for people who want to know what their painting will look like ahead of time. Imagine putting your loved one in an original, and then not liking the design.

I think it's a cool idea.

As I read this the Twilight Zone theme song is running through my mind...but, to each their own!

I know I always respect the artistic opinions of non-artists...

Have any of you people even looked at the paintings? Dumping some paint and ashes on a canvas and whooshing it around with a stick is not all that impressive. I would think your lost loved one would deserve better. If you really have your heart set on this medium,at least have it done by an artist.

What a wonderful idea! I only wish I had known about this when my Father died!

"Ya this is kind of disgusting....A true tabboo." - Napalm
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"No one else does this because it is NOT NORMAL!" - kinsohn
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There is at least one company out there that will create an artificial diamond from the compressed cremated ashes (carbon) of a deceased person. The diamond can then be set in jewelry, to be worn.
To each their own.

Talk about having a brush with death!

I think this is an AWESOME idea, I will consider it for my dearly departed pets.

When I die, I want my cremains used to make a huge firework. I've heard that this can be done.

I think it's a great idea for people in mourning.

I agree with KINSOHN - this does not seem normal to me. I'm sure many remember the name Ed Gein in WI history. Ed Gein used bones in furniture, lampshades from skin, skulls as bowls, etc. After reading the article this was the first thing I thought about. I'm not trying to be gross, but I find the art work explained here rather odd.

It's really no more bizarre than the things various religions do - and like them, it comforts people.

I will admit it is a little unorthodox, but think it is an awesome tribute to those no longer with us. I've had my dog's cremains packed away for 9 years. I wonder if she'll do it for pets' cremains too!!?
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And what's wrong with eyeball soup and human skin lampshades? They are 2 of my favorite things. Next to my human hair fringed drapes. Good grief people! Lmao!

If this bring's comfort to the family member's who am I to say it's wrong.
This type of expression is NOT for me.

What a great idea! This is no more weird then having an urn with your loved ones ashes just sitting on a mantle or table.

No one else does this because it is NOT NORMAL! Why settle for ashes - why not just stuff them and have them hang around your living room?

diplomat: Goth didn't come into fashion until the 1980's. Ms Saxer is in her mid-50's. She graduated high school around 1970.
The Saxer's always did "think outside the box", to use an overworked phrase.

I think it's a beautiful idea. Had this been an option 6 years ago I may have opted for a painting instead of the $300 urn my daughter is in. The urn is proudly displayed on a bookshelf but a painting above the fireplace would be much more prominent and beautiful to look at. I think it's a waste of land and money to have a burial and it's comforting to be able to walk across the room and "talk" to my daughter rather than bundle up and drive to a cemetery in the middle of winter and hope that someone doesn't vandalize her headstone. It's nice to know there is a local artistic option. Another option I've seen is a birdbath urn that can hold the remains of two people. I like that idea but not here in Wisconsin. I'd be afraid it would crack and break and sticking it away in the garage or basement for the winter isn't my idea of a memorial to a loved one.

Here look at my painting and have some eyeball soup

weirdo

I love this idea. I want to be cremated when I kick the bucket. I would love it if someone could someday look at a beautiful picture, know I'm part of it, and smile. Thank you for your creative ideas Valerie! Love it, love it, love it!

It is beautiful.. It is high time we change the traditions of "funerals-burials" etc.. For one thing, it is the biggest money scam. Why on earth do we need an "address" after we are gone? Has never made any sense to me. I applaud this type of creation. We need new avenues for people to place their loved ones at rest, without costing THOUSANDS of dollars.. Its just insane.

I think this is beautiful. Much better than going to a gravesite or looking at a boring urn.

A little creepy!

I bet you she was a goth kid in high school.

Huh! not really sure of the feeings I have on this. Oh well, I guess if it brings her comfort then that's what's important.

As Keith Jackson would say, "Woooo, Nellie!"

To each their own.