About

I lost my life partner Andrew, very suddenly, after 23 years together. He was 50, and we had 2 children, aged 7 and 12. I had never thought about death and I had no idea what to do. After other close friends and family also died I realized just how ill prepared we are for death: we don’t have comfortable places at hospitals or old people’s homes, for families to gather around the dying, and we don’t know what to say to someone who is facing the loss of a loved one.

As a designer, who turns ideas into images and experiences, it was natural for me to use words and images to describe the journey through grief: to start this conversation that so many of us are afraid to have, and to let you know that you don’t suffer alone.

I initially made these drawings to console a friend who also lost her husband very suddenly. My friend loved the drawings and sat them on her dresser so she could see them every day. I knew that other people could be consoled by them too. So I’ve made these drawings as a special gift to you, or your friend who is devastated by grief; to console and guide you through the hard road ahead, and to let you know that life will get better.

I want this to be a very special gift, one for which you can choose the artworks that work best for you. You can choose a booklet, ebook or set of cards, or you can contact me to make a selection from the images available on the website, and I will print a bespoke card, booklet or poster. You can also commission me to make new image(s) and/or words especially for remembering your loved one, or to suit your situation or culture. I have made images for suicide and addiction that are not shown here, and I also designed a memorial booklet about my sister-in-law Caroline, for my brother.

To join the conversation about death and grieving, please visit the Art of Grief blog page

A percentage of the profit from the sales of these items helps support not-for-profit grief counseling services in NZ.