David Labrum

The Art of Grieving

The sudden and unexpected death of a child can create overwhelming circumstances including trauma, prolonged and acute grief. My bereavement art counseling program provides support and guidance for those who have experienced such a loss.

You are invited to read the stories of my participants, Melodie, Valarie, Danny, and Maggie. These stories are told through the artwork they created in my art counseling studio following the sudden and unexpected death of a child.

Their stories describe their efforts in working through their pain of grief over a period of weeks, months, a year...

These paintings and drawings depict their emergence from the confusion of their grief...to developing awareness to the reality of their child’s death...and subsequent adjustment to life without them.

Melodie

Melodie

"I'm letting go of Izaya. I'm saying goodbye to his body, his little buoyant boy body that was so beautiful, that I loved so much."

Read Melodie's story...
Valarie

Valarie

"In the midst of my pain, I'm strong and well-defined in a way I've never been before... to bring honor to my sons who died I will live the best life I can."

Read Valarie's story...
Maggie

Maggie

"Little sorries, big sorries... I don't know how many times I've said sorry to my son since he died, hundreds, maybe thousands, or more."

Read Maggie's story...
Danny

Danny

"It's winter and the trees are bare, but the sun is coming up and this is the new outlook on life I want since my son died."

Read Danny's story...