Artful Grief

About the Book

Artful Grief is a decade long study of loss by an art therapist, in the aftermath of her daughter’s suicide. On October 11, 2001, Sharon received a phone call in the middle of the night from the New York City Police Department telling her that her seventeen year old daughter Kristin, had “fallen” from the roof of her college dormitory. So began her journey into the labyrinth of unspeakable grief. As the first year drew to a close she found no comfort in traditional therapy, and no solace in spoken or written words. In surrender to her inner art therapist’s guidance, she began to create collages. She cut and tore images out of magazines and glued them on various size paper. The paper was a safe and sacred container, receptive to the fullness of emotion, story and paradox. Over time there was transformation and healing.

Artful Grief

• A creative roadmap through violent dying and grief.
• A dose of “soul medicine” for survivors.
• A way to retrieve the pieces of a shattered life, with paper, scissors and glue.
• A resourceful tool for those suffering with complicated grief and/or PTSD.
• A place for the unspeakable to be seen and heard.
• A process to quiet the mind and open the heart.
• A visual experience of trauma images as illustrations of hope.
• A sample of prophetic dreams and meditations that are illuminating.
• A heartfelt sharing of “intimate secrets” for understanding and compassion.
• A surprising “grief gift” that is inspiring.

About the Author

Sharon Strouse, MA, ATR is an Art Therapist who found healing after the suicide of her daughter Kristin, through collage, dreams and meditation. She is a grief and bereavement specialist and nationally acclaimed workshop presenter. She lives with her husband in Maryland, where she enjoys her art studio and private practice.