Three Faces of Grief Drawing

I began my 'artistry' as a means of pursuing calm and peace in a hectic world. I experimented with sketching, nudes, watercolours, and sometimes even the classic 'teddy bear' phase. I had long ago put down my palettes and pursued nursing as a career, only to pick it up again many years later after a late-night conversation with my son who was not-long diagnosed with terminal cancer. My name is Melica Meredith, a life coach and wellness advocate. One night, during a long deep and meaningful with one of my twin sons, Dillon, he recalled one of his fondest memories growing up was of me singing while lost in my painting with paint brushes in my hair. This is where Dillon's Legacy - my art revisited - was born, as one life slipped away, and another journey started. We chose an abstract medium that night after some 'internet curiosity' to represent life through movement, clarity, and expression. Each piece captures the spirit of my son's journey through his life, from his birth to his passing. Breathing life through art brings unconditional love, peace, and new beginnings. Unconditional love is necessary, as it serves as an invitation to love without judgement by seeing the beauty and fragile nature of life. My art stirs the soul by providing love, hope, and joy as it connects to life through human experiences and an escape from our busy lives. Each piece I create is borne by a memory, a thought, or an emotion; colours speak to everyone, as it can enhance or expose a mood, or change it in a moment. I started this journey in 2019 as a way to raise awareness for Bowel Cancer, especially in young adults; proceeds from the sale of my pieces are donated to Red Rose at St George Hospital to support and assist those struggling with an often swift and tragic diagnoses of a life taken far too quickly.