My dad passed away from colon cancer in February, 2016. I fought to use the pain to launch myself into my dream job.
November of 2018, my mother was taken by pancreatic cancer. By that point my mental health had eroded and I began letting everything go. I began experiencing catatonia and internal collapse at any sign of stress.
In 2019 I fell from self-employment to disability; in 2020, just before the pandemic, my brother took his own life.
I’m so glad I had a wife who dared love me. Daughters who cared.
My therapist was kind. Two or three others who stayed near, though I had nothing to offer.

My losses led to pain. Pain pointed me towards both God and art.
I’m so grateful to have a place to create, to share, and to help others like myself.

My name is Stephen. I’m 41. I’m a dad, a husband. An artist.
This website is a place where my art lives. Same with my dreams for giving my family a future.
It’s here, this site. This store.
The things I make.

As it’s been said, “If you’ve got the money, honey, I’ve got the-”
I’d like to tag “art” onto the end, if you’ll let me.
I’ve got the art.

I’ve just released “Mourning for Beginners,” a gift for anyone in mourning, whether the loss is fresh or healing. It came from my heart and goes out to the heart of anyone wounded by losing someone close. Inside me, deep down, that feels like all of us.

The very first copy of “Mourning for Beginners” was a “Support and Donate” version, which in a way is how it’s intended to be “used.” One copy goes to the buyer for reading and perhaps, giving away. Another copy goes to someone now in mourning.

This is a gift both to me, the artist, and to someone in mourning. I’m honored.

So grateful.

I’ve designed some gifts below because I just love designing things. I’ve added socks, blankets, pillows, mugs.
Things that would fit well with the book as gifts to those hurting.
Feel free to buy something for yourself if you’d like. All funds go to my family and to help this concept grow.

Your time is precious.

Thanks for giving me a bit.