Asheville, NC (PressExposure) June 26, 2010 -- Shine On Brightly, the online gallery for memorial art, was launched in 2008 - the result of a lifelong passion for art, love for people and their stories, and lots of research on the changing trends around life and death rituals (especially among babyboomers).
Fifteen months later, the most unimaginable turn of events changed my supposedly carefully navigated path. My husband of 29 years passed away unexpectedly. Eight months after that, his sister, who had been one of my dearest childhood friends, also died.
At first, I felt paralyzed by these losses. But I quickly realized that I had created my own vocation. I am now, more than ever, committed to the importance of memorialization by honoring a spirit with art and beauty.
"Now, when I promote a handmade book from our collection, I can tell you that I used one of them as a guest register/message journal at our memorial service, and that it will be cherished forever by my family. Or that the bracelet that I wear in honor of my husband was designed and created by a Shine On Brightly artist," offers Crowther. "I can't think of a better way to show my customers that I believe in these products, and they have helped me through a difficult time."
Many recent articles, books, and other media point toward the growing number of cremations, both in the US and worldwide. Babyboomers especially, are breaking tradition in their spiritual beliefs, environmental convictions, and affinity toward individuality in all aspects of life. The funeral industry concedes to this rapid conversion to cremation, yet products for containment of cremation remains are limited, and are often mass-produced and outsourced. Shine On Brightly fills this void by providing unique art pieces made with love and fine craftsmanship. Pieces can either contain ashes, in the cases of jewelry or paintings, or can be commissioned to capture the essence of a loved one uniquely.
One of our beloved customers recently wrote - "As I look at it, death is a natural part of life, and not something that evokes good feelings. Choosing an urn is a depressing task because it confirms the finality of a person's life. Working with Shine On Brightly on creating an urn actually was a very positive, uplifting experience."
This unique concept has helped so many people with their grief process. It provides an opportunity to commemorate, honor, and celebrate a loved one through art. Art has the power to heal, and to express human emotion, when words are not sufficient. Art, after all, is the manifestation of the human experience.