Book – The Fine Art of Grieving by Jane Edberg

I have been reading the new book The Fine Art of Grieving by Jane Edberg. I found the book on Amazon when I was searching for new books that I could read to help me with my Pictorial Whispers memorial project for my daughter Abby.

I am eager to share this new book with you because it might offer comfort and insight to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, especially if you are also engaged in creative pursuits. Although I had never heard of Jane or encountered her work before discovering her book, our shared experiences quickly became apparent. As you read both her biography and the overview of my Pictorial Whispers project provided below, you’ll see the deep connections we share, including the devastating loss of a child. We have both dedicated our lives to photography, and I am hopeful that our common passion will allow her words to deeply resonate with you, as they have with me.

In the opening few pages of the book, Jane asks the questions: Can art be made after losing a child? Will art save me from this grief?

I had to turn the page and read more.

If you enjoy slowing down with film, darkroom printing, and meaningful photography, consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel. I share new videos each week focused on simple tools, timeless techniques, and the quiet joy of analog.

Jane Edberg Bio/CV

To help give you an idea of Jane’s background, I will share the bio/cv that is published with the book:

“Jane Edberg was born in Windsor, England but resides in the United States on the coast of California with her husband. She is an author and an artist and holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Davis with an emphasis in photography and performance art. Her artworks have been exhibited internationally. She taught photography and art as a tenured professor at Gavilan College for twenty-two years. She currently teaches writing at California State University Monterey Bay’s Osher’s Lifelong Learning Institute.

Jane serves as the arts editor and a contributing editor at The Journal of Radical Wonder. Her writing is featured in the books, Death, and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: Field Notes from The Death Dialogues Project; My Dead; in the flash anthology, BAM 42 Stories; and in many journals, including MacQueens Quinterly, Cholla Needles, and Gyroscope Review. She is a Community of Writers alumna (Squaw Valley).”

In the section below, I will share an overview of my project for Abby, Pictorial Whispers. I think you will quickly see why I was so interested and intrigued after reading Jane’s bio. I found the book because of the title, but when I learned that Jane held a Master of Fine Art and taught photography at a university for over twenty years, I immediately purchased the book.

Pictorial Whispers – More Than Art

Each handmade print in the Pictorial Whispers series is a captured echo of love and sorrow, where trees stand as poignant testaments to the memory of my beloved daughter, affectionately known as Peanut.

Through the ethereal embrace of Pictorialism, these stoic beings are transformed into guardians of her legacy, their roots entwined with the depths of my emotions.

This work transcends the realm of visual art; it is a sacred process, a conduit through which I navigate the labyrinth of heartache.

Embracing the 1850s negative process of collodion glass plates, with its inherent imperfections and richness, I have found a profound connection to Abby. The physicality of this medium, with its labor-intensive demands and unique aesthetic, mirrors the intricate complexities of my emotional state.

The complex and constantly evolving chemistry process and the handmade aspect of the workflow all contribute to a deeply personal and expressive narrative. Each image I compose is a stanza of an ongoing dialogue with absence and memory, where the chemical nature of the collodion process adds an almost otherworldly character to the images, blurring the lines between sharp reality and the soft edges of remembrance.

In my handmade photographs, trees are more than mere subjects; they are characters imbued with human emotions, standing as silent witnesses to the internal storm of my grief. They echo my solitude, resonate with my sadness, and yet stand resilient, a reflection of the strength I muster each day.

The dance of light and shadow amidst these arboreal forms is akin to my brushstrokes on this canvas of loss. This interplay becomes my visual language, a means to articulate the indescribable path of mourning and eventual healing. In creating my handmade wet plate collodion negatives and platinum-toned Kallitype contact prints, I find a semblance of peace, a fleeting respite from the relentless grip of emotional pain.

My artistic quest with Pictorial Whispers is to forge an enduring, mystical, and deeply personal collection. In this pursuit, I maintain a profound spiritual bond with Abby, channeling the flux of my emotions—grief, gratitude, and love—into the stillness of the natural world.

Each handmade print is a physical manifestation of my experiences, a testament to the enduring impact of Abby’s presence in my life. Through this process, I hope to offer a visual homage to her memory, crafting expressive artwork that are as singular and special as the moments we shared. Abby’s spirit, her joy, and the name Peanut are forever intertwined with the essence of the trees that I photograph. They are my silent and steadfast companions on a path through the unknown terrain of heartache and recovery.

Next Steps

I have just begun exploring the pages of this book, so I will pause my writing here to fully immerse myself in it. Once I’ve completed the book, I’ll return with additional articles. My aim is to share insights and perhaps offer some solace or inspiration to you or someone you care about.

If you enjoy slowing down with film, darkroom printing, and meaningful photography, consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel. I share new videos each week focused on simple tools, timeless techniques, and the quiet joy of analog.