ART WITH ASHES COMMISSION:
Dear Lovely Death
“Dear lovely Death
That taketh all things under wing—
Never to kill—
Only to change
Into some other thing
This suffering flesh,
To make it either more or less,
But not again the same—
Dear lovely Death,
Change is thy other name.”
Grief and memory are powerful, nuanced, and often lonely and all-consuming.
But nothing is forever, and healing is possible.
The goal of these ash commissions is for them to be small, subtle, and intimate, a way to memorialize a loved one without an overpowering reminder of the loss that has occurred.
Death is hard on the living, but with time and ritual, grief will ease it’s grasp.
It felt best as an artist and a human to offer something that would evoke fond memories and a sense of inner peace without ignoring the reality of the pain of loss.
We can’t have the light without the dark, but even in the midst of the dark, we can be immensely grateful for our time in the light.
So whether it’s with the ashes of someone close to you, a beloved animal companion, or the remains of their favorite possessions, I’d be honored to integrate them into an original painting.
For transparency’s sake, prices are a bit higher because of the sensitive nature of the subject matter and materials, but I recognize the financial burden that can befall someone when a loved ones passes, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if price is an issue, I’m more than happy to accommodate.
Here’s what you can provide that will help the piece best honor your loved one:
A favorite story or memory of them
A description of their personality and who they were as a person
A song, album, or genre, or music that they loved or that reminds you of them
Any photos or videos you’re comfortable sharing
The Logistics:
Pricing starts at $115 for a 6” x 8” (landscape or portrait) painting on wood panel and goes up from there depending on the size and whether or not there’s a time constraint. For transparency’s sake, prices are a bit higher because of the sensitive nature of the subject matter and materials, but I recognize the financial burden that can befall someone when a loved one passes, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if price is an issue. I’m more than happy to accommodate. Any other questions about art commission prices can be made through my contact page or by emailing jake@springbreakjake.com
A deposit of at least $50 is required upfront. You can pay by Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal, as well as check or cash if you’re in Bend or are ok with mailing them.
Whichever way you feel most comfortable sending, delivering, or handing me the ashes is completely ok with me.
Paintings typically take at least two weeks to complete and then 3-5 business days to ship. If you need it sooner, please let me know via the form, and I will do my best to accommodate.