Artist creates memorial paintings using people’s ashes

By Imogen Howse

Meet Pic-asho - the artist who creates memorial paintings using ashes from cremations.

Elaine Murray, 54, immersed herself in her artwork to cope with the unexpected deaths of her parents in 2019 and 2021.

She started posting her work on Instagram and was contacted by a follower who had an unusual request - a painting made from the ashes of a deceased loved one.

Elaine had to invent a technique that would stabilize the pH levels in ashes and make them suitable for mixing with paint.

She then tested the substance with a painting of her own mother on a beach in Hawaii - one of her most treasured memories.

Elaine, a mother-of-one, has now produced commissions of landscapes, seascapes, and even pets using cremated ashes.

She said: "I was worried to begin with about whether people would criticize what I'm doing.

"But witnessing the real comfort this brings people - the tears of joy in their eyes - it's the most gorgeous feedback. It's such a heartening thing.

"It's such a deep privilege. I feel blessed to do this work."

Elaine first came across the idea when a potential client contacted her in 2023 and asked if she could create a bespoke memorial painting using her mom's cremated ashes.

"It immediately struck a chord with me because I had recently lost both my parents," she said.

"I had my mum's ashes upstairs in my bedroom. And I felt torn between wanting to scatter her freely, and also not wanting to let go all of her.

"So this felt like a beautiful idea."

Elaine, who lives on the Dorset/Devon border, wanted to learn how to handle ashes safely and sensitively before she tried painting with them.

She discovered that ashes had a similar pH level to bleach, and so had to research how this would affect paint, fearful that a painting may fade over the years.

The artist contacted a company called RTN Soil, which helps people neutralize their loved ones' ashes so they do not damage the environment when scattering them.

Elaine then worked with scientists there to develop a stabilizing agent, which would allow her to mix ashes into paint.

Next, she set about creating her first painting for her own mother.

Elaine said, "I knew that I wouldn't do this for someone else's mother unless I felt confident that it was something I would do for my own.

"And I knew my mum, who had loved painting herself, would love this.

"I knew she'd want to be a piece of art in my home - something that could be looked on as part of the family every single day."

Elaine created two paintings using her mother's ashes: one seascape and one 'relief painting' where an image is created by using texturised paint to create raised surfaces.

The seascape was a re-creation of a day Elaine and her mum spent on a beach in Hawaii, which is one of the last and most special memories the artist has of her mother.

In the 'relief painting', she shaped a heart, and part of her mum's ashes lay inside.

Elaine said: "It was really emotional and I loved the outcome. So I knew I could fulfil this woman's request."

Elaine's first client also wanted a seascape, as part of her mum's ashes had been scattered in the ocean.

"When I handed the painting over, she was so thrilled," Elaine said. "It was such a special, emotional moment.

"I've been doing it ever since."

Through word-of-mouth and social media, Elaine continued to receive more and more requests.

She has created memorial paintings for people who have lost parents, siblings, children, and even pets.

"It's very sad, but it's also very joyful," Elaine said. "Because they have lost someone special, but they want them to be remembered with art - and they want them to always be present in their home."

Elaine thinks people are drawn to her paintings as they offer a way to let go while also keeping a loved one close.

She said: "Something people find difficult with ashes is this idea that, if, for example, you scatter a family member's ashes in your garden, what happens if you move house? You have to leave them.

"This way, you can scatter someone's ashes wherever they may have wanted - a special place, for instance.

"But you can keep some of them in a painting - and that's portable. You can take it with you wherever you go."

Elaine says her most requested paintings are seascapes, abstract paintings, and anything flower-related.

She also creates portrait paintings for people who have lost their pets.

She said: "People are really drawn to colors. I often get requests for an abstract painting, with a focus on their loved one's favourite color.

"One woman wanted soft pinks and soft blues for her mum, as she loved those colors, but specified absolutely no green, as her mum hated green.

"My most popular request is definitely seascapes - but I also get a lot of flower-related commissions.

"There was one beautiful commission, where a brother and sister wanted me to create a wild flower meadow piece for their mum. And poppies were a centerpiece, as she had loved poppies.

"I also do more specific pieces. I'm currently working on a recreation of a beautiful yacht a client's father had - and for pets, I usually recreate people's favorite pet photo.

"But each painting is unique. This is someone's loved one. It's their life and story."

Elaine, who works with a grief specialist to ensure she handles all her commissions with sensitivity, is still considering what to do with her father's ashes.

She said: "I knew immediately what I wanted to do for mum - but I'm still exploring possibilities for dad."

You can view her work on her Instagram, @fromash2art or @byelainerose, and request a memorial painting on her website.