Learning to L.I.V.E.

In 2010, my 44-year-old sister became a widow. Recognizing her unusual ability to articulate the experience of grief—and to help others find meaningful ways to respond to it—we started a nonprofit for widows called Paisley Project.

Our work is guided by a framework we call L.I.V.E.: helping widows respond to their Loss, restore their Identity, develop a new Vision for the future, and Engage again with the world.

Over the years we have learned that creative expression—particularly art and writing—can be deeply healing. As a result, therapeutic creative practices are woven into all of our programming. I regularly lead workshops and classes in art-making and reflective writing.

This body of work was created in response to the unexpected beauty that can emerge after loss—the kind of beauty I have witnessed again and again in the lives of the widows we serve.

L.I.V.E. #1

Mixed media, plexiglass on cradled wood panel

8 x 8 in | 2022

NFS

L.I.V.E. #2

Mixed media, plexiglass on cradled wood panel

8 x 8 in | 2022

NFS

L.I.V.E. #3

Mixed media, plexiglass on cradled wood panel

8 x 8 in | 2022

NFS