Sweet Grief
Sweet Grief: Paintings & Poems on Love and Loss
Paintings by Senitila McKinley and poems by Drew Myron
Opening Reception
Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 6 - 8pm
Windermere Gallery in Seal Rock, Oregon
5693 NW Pacific Coast Hwy
541-563-3862
Enjoy art, appetizers & live music
Free and open to all ages
Show on display April 20 - June 20, 2012
Special edition exhibition book - $10
Order your signed book now:
Dying sucks. A creative collaboration began with just two words.
The collaboration is Sweet Grief — 12 paintings paired with 12 poems — and is the work of Senitila McKinley and Drew Myron, two women who bonded over an appreciation for children and families in need. At Seashore Family Literacy, the nonprofit organization that Senitila created and runs, Drew serves as writing instructor.
Sweet Grief began in the summer of 2011 when Senitila’s husband of 33 years was diagnosed with cancer. David McKinley died just a few months later.
At what turned out to be his last visit with Drew, he was clear and direct. “Dying sucks,” he said. “I’m not gonna lie.”
Later, with her friend, Senitila was pragmatic: “Death is not a crisis,” she said firmly. “It’s a beautiful part of life.”
With that in mind, Senitila and Drew explored love and loss through their art. What was initially specific to David’s death became a larger meditation and appreciation for the weighty beauty of being with the ones you love to their very end.
“Grief is a beautiful thing,” says Senitila, “not something to be afraid of, but to enjoy because it is still a gift. We think that only mystical people have a meaningful understanding of death. But it’s not true. To look at death and grief as a gift is not reserved for those who have a defined spiritual journey, but for everyone that has known love.”
Drew
Reader Comments (2)
Drew, will you be sending your book out or is it only available at your venue? Of course, I sadly won't be attending, but would love a signed copy of your book. If I pay for the price of two books, would that cover the cost of one book plus postage? Let me know if that will work for you.
Thanks so much,
Auburn
Auburn,
I'm very happy to send you a signed book! You can purchase here by clicking on the "Buy Now" button above. Or you can (old-fashioned) mail an (old fashioned) check to: PO Box 914, Yachats, Oregon, 97498.
The book is $10 + $2.50 shipping.
Thank you!