Art has many forms
I am sometimes awed at the closeness of this support group, none of whom wanted to be a participant in the first place, but who now find it their very comforting event of the week. If it was not for the life altering tragic event in their lives they would never have met.
Now they are best friends, allies after the death of a loved one.
Memories are always there of course, but being able to hold on to something actually created as a form of art is extremely comforting and special.
Art is in the eye of the beholder
Words of wisdom
There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state to another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must have felt what it is to die, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life. Alexandre Dumas
Even sticky notes count
I never knew when I was going to find another one. It was wonderful, and it was his legacy to me. They gave me the strength to carry on.
The art of a story-teller
It is such an extraordinary, gripping story that his art deserves to be displayed in a book of its own. What a priceless legacy though, for her to listen to his voice, and keep motivated to honour his life by transcribing his words into another art form.
Art through a lovely life
Finally, he came to the support group and started to deal with it. Now he is able to celebrate her art as his own personal legacy. It has become a source of support every time he looks at it.
Artist Elroy Wutzke
Art in the wider community
A wave of pure sadness swept over me as I saw this masterpiece of design, and knew it had ended. I could not imagine the grief of his young widow. Sometimes life doesn't seem fair.
A while after his death Debbie opened a cupboard downstairs, and inside were several glorious paintings. Her husband had not felt they were worthy to be seen. But his legacy to her has given an opportunity as she recovers, to make prints and turn her loss into a source of income support, which he had wanted.
I took several of these photos through glass, so they are not representational of their truly amazing beauty.
Poetry? Oh Yes!!!
These personal glimpses into the lives of those who have lost loved ones have made me realize how important art is in the lives of those left behind.
All art is valuable! ( ...and valued)
I asked a dear friend, an elderly and lovely nun, if she had ever collected anything in her life.
She thought a minute, then said very sincerely, "Only the cards you have made for me over the years."
When she died, a card accompanied her on her big journey.
The scope of art means lots of opportunity
From all of this one thing seems to be crystal clear. Whatever form your art takes, it is a lovely thing to make sure that all those who love you, and whom you love, deserve a piece of your creations.
Remember...
“Art is long, and time is fleeting.” ~ Longfellow, in A Psalm of Life