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“The Grief Project has helped me, and is still helping me, work through the death of my father. I don't get a lot of opportunities to talk about and celebrate him, and The Grief Project helped me do that. It was a truly unique experience." – Vicky, Grief Project Participant
A special collection of paintings, inspired by you.
The Grief Project is a way to bring light to our losses, to plant beautiful seeds, to find community and solace and ultimately, to see the beauty and gratitude within this universal pain that is incredibly unique to each individual.
We all have a story of loss intertwined with beauty, pain, and growth — a story of grief. And I would be honoured to create an artwork from yours 🤍
There are no fees associated with submitting your story; to participate, join the waitlist to share your story via our submission form and if selected, Chanelle will create an artwork inspired by it.
If your story is selected to inspire a painting, you will be invited to an intimate reveal party in Nova Scotia, Canada. OR, receive a video reveal if you are not located in NS.
*due to the high interest in this project, only a limited number of participants can be selected
250+
submissions
42
artworks created
115
waitlisted
1
Submit Your Grief Story
Share your email above to get access to our simple submission form. We'll ask about the pieces of nature that speak to you, colours and ask for more information about your story.
It is FREE to submit your story. Know that any form of grief can be shared. We recognize that there is grief in every part of life and any loss. Your grief does not have to be associated with a death to be included in the project.
3
Your Story Has Been Selected!
If your story has been selected for an in-person release or an online video release, you'll be invited to attend a 30 minute 1:1 session with Chanelle so that you can meet, discuss your piece and vision.
Both in-person and online release options are available when submitting your story.
2
Chanelle Reads EVERY Single One
Chanelle reads every single submission, please know that it may take 1-3 months to hear from us.
Names are removed from submissions before the selection process begins. Stories are chosen based off of Chanelle's creative practice and if she feels her work would represent your story well.
Keep a close eye on your email! But please know, if your story is not chosen at this time, it may be selected in the future.
4
Chanelle Works Her Magic ✨
Chanelle gets to work painting and preparing for your release.
Make sure to follow along on her instagram where she often shares the process of her pieces.
Why the Grief Project?
I created this project because of my own personal experience with grief. Growing up, I lost my dad at a young age through the divorce with my parents. Because I didn't experience the most common form of Grief - death... The loss of my father wasn't recognized and I felt unsupported through my grieving process. As I healed from trauma and this loss, I found myself in nature over and over again.
Recently, as an artist, I had the opportunity to sit in the garden once tended to by a friends sister who had recently passed. It was there that I was once again reminded of how nature carries us through life and also provides us healing. The grief project was then created and blossomed into the creation of over 22 pieces to date.
My hope is that no matter what form your grief takes, that this project brings you healing and allows you to transform the beautiful moments into permanent memories by being on the canvas.
"Being a part of the Grief Project just felt right, all the tiny connections along the way to making it happen, as though our son was tapping me on the shoulder urging me to go for it.
The final painting was stunning, everything I didn't know I wanted but Chanelle somehow knew. We felt held every step of the way and honoured to have been a part of such a heartfelt project. The piece now hangs in the heart of our home." - Sherri, Grief Project Participant
FAQ about the Grief Project
Chanelle Jefferson is a contemporary artist and certified practitioner, born and based out of the South Shore of Nova Scotia. She is recognized for her use of line throughout her work as well as the spaces she creates for meaningful and conscious connection.
Her subject matter focuses on themes that connect nature, everyday observation and healing through her use of blind contour methods. She creates her line drawings without looking at the paper as a daily practice of meditation and mindfulness.
Chanelle's work helps its viewers connect with their heart while reminding them to slow down and discover the beauty within the mundane.
She is a graduate of Concordia University (Montreal, QC) with a BFA in Studio Arts and a minor in Environmental Geology (2021), author/illustrator of My Nova Scotia Cookbook (2018) and host of the yearly, Finding Awe Within the Ordinary retreat.
Her work is held within the private collections of Pete Luckett and the MacKay-Lyons family. Jefferson's work has been shown at Museo Bellini (Florence, Italy) and was accepted as the Lunenburg School of the Arts, 2023 Artist-in-Residence.