When you choose cremation for your loved one there are numerous options for a memorial. Loved Ones Art can take your photograph of a special place, scatter or resting site, landscape, seascape, home or still life that has special meaning to you and create a one-of-a-kind painting. A graceful impressionistic oil painting is created by gently blending a small amount of cremation ash into the pigments. The essence of your Loved One is captured as a soulful tribute that will be treasured for generations to come.
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The Artist
Michael Butler has always been an artist and after more than 25 years as a successful Graphic Designer he’s transitioned back to his passion for fine art. As a life long Pennsylvanian living in Montgomery County he feels bonded to the artistic legacy of the extraordinary painters known as the Pennsylvania Impressionists: Walter Baum, Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber and many others. While at the Hussian School of Art in Philadelphia Michael studied with nationally recognized artists Walter Condit, Elaine Dubrow and Oliver Grimley. His association with the school and its students has continued over the years through his yearly invitation as guest lecturer with the Senior Designers.
Michael’s philosophy is “Art lives forever” and he’s brought his philosophy to fruition through Loved Ones Art. To commission a painting by Michael is to closely collaborate with him to preserve and celebrate the precious memory and essence of your Loved One. The grief that one feels with the loss of a Loved One is tempered by the joy of seeing them live on as art to be treasured for generations to come.
The Process
My “painter’s voice” is the vigorous style of a Pennsylvania Impressionist and my paintings are textural as I capture the preciousness of the scene – light, fluidity and emotion. This reverence is multiplied many times because your Loved One becomes part of the painting in the literal sense. I’ve developed a process whereby the ash is pulverized to a fine powder and gently mixed with the pigments to become part of the painting. Each stroke of each color is layered one after another to become your Loved Ones Art. I use the finest quality oil paint on medium texture, acid free 11in X 14in stretched canvas which, when complete, is presented in a 3 inch wide museum quality gilded frame of an appropriately simple design. A beautiful 1inch x 3 inch brass plate engraved with your personal message is also included. I encourage you to study the examples posted here – and if you have a scene or a moment in time that you’d like me to capture as your Loved Ones Art please contact me. The result will be a treasured memorial to, and of, your Loved One.
In order to create your Loved Ones Art I ask that you supply the following:
• One clear photo of an image you’d like captured as your Loved Ones Art. This can be a landscape of a favorite location or an artfully arranged still life of meaningful objects. Use your imagination and creativity to assemble the signature image that will help me create your painting. Keep in mind that we are working together to capture the essence of your Loved One – not their image – so the result will not be a portrait. Feel free to contact me with any questions or guidance.
• Approximately 2 tablespoons of your Loved Ones cremation ash. This should be double bagged using Zip Lock type plastic bags. Clearly label the outside bag with your name and the decedents name. The ashes can be mailed via the US Postal Service provided they be packaged properly and sent as registered mail with return receipt requested. The identity of the package contents should be marked on the address side of the parcel. FedEx and UPS prohibit shipment of cremated human remains.
