Comments on: Promoting Passion Week 24: To Dust

By: Rocio Mirelis

Rocio Mirelis — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 11:42:37 +0000

WOW! All I can say is that I still have goosebumps all over my body! I am so glad I have read and listened to this post. It reminded of how passionate I used to be and of my search for knowing what happens after death. It’s so beautiful to know what your feelings were when your cat died. …and I feel weird even writing that and rereading it… but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

This also reminds me of my husband’s take on death. He never cries or even gets sad when someone dies. He gets happy for them because they are now at a better place… they did what they came to do and it’s now time for them to leave…

By: Lu

Lu — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 16:27:56 +0000

I really like your take on death here. We tend to see it as something so negative, why not be grateful that we had at least the opportunity meet? Moments that defined me… backpaking throught South America with my Little brother…really changed my life and world views. Passions…people … and food

By: Yvette Leur

Yvette Leur — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 19:25:32 +0000

Thank you, not only for your art, but also for your gift of letting people explore themselves and show them how to find the beauty and the best within.

By: Libertad Leal

Libertad Leal — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 17:01:01 +0000

This is really amazing Brooke. I (frantically knocking on wood) have had very little experience with death so your experience and reflections on death are so fascinating to me. I am, for lack of a better term, the polar opposite to you in the sense that what I am attracted to the most is light. It’s very prevalent in my photography and my life in general. I live for the light,the sun, the magic but I’ve oftentimes felt that this makes my art less interesting, even trivial, because there is no mystery and no drama in light. But like you said , I guess it’s all a matter of perspective and I should not be ashamed of my passion. Thank you for your wonderful words and art.

By: Jen Kiaba

Jen Kiaba — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 16:05:49 +0000

Such a beautiful and meaningful message Brooke, thank you! Also your perspective on death was really touching for me personally right now, so I really appreciate that mind-opening thought.

By: Kora

Kora — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 16:03:59 +0000

I’m attending your late night workshop tonight! Can’t wait!

By: Jen Sulak

Jen Sulak — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:16:16 +0000

Brooke, i told you before and i’ll tell you again – i don’t know how or why…but your posts line up with my life almost to the day.

We (the Deep Ellum arts community) lost 2 souls to suicide and 1 to a heart condition this week. I was reflecting on the moments I had met one of the guys…and the impressions I had of him…and his rocking mohawk and willingness to serve artists. He, like most of us had the dark side. I had this odd way of dealing with death…knowing that i MUST mourn them….but also be ok that they are gone and not coming back. I have to cry and get the feelings out, but once they are OUT…it is a freedom to keep living and going forward. I found that most ppl that have left us would WANT us to go on. It has just been a trying week….and for once I felt like I could contribute to a community in a way that would help us all heal. I made a slideshow of as many pictures as I could find and get of him….and we played it yesterday. Some brought forth tears, others, laughter. I just hope that everyone could heal from this…and grieve. <3 All the best to you. <3

By: Paulo Alexandre Carvalho

Paulo Alexandre Carvalho — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:43:47 +0000

Brooke, you placed a tear in the corner of my eye… Last year, my dog, who was one of the my best friends and company for 12 years, died in my arms. It was a powerful moment for me, because in those last minutes of her life, we look at each other deeply and felt an instant joy. At that moment I remembered all the happy times we had together and I felt that she gone too happy. Before her last breath, I tried to thank her (now I’m crying), through my eyes, for all the love she gave me. And for her last look, I know she realized it. I miss her… Before finding out that my passion for photography, I started to drawing houses plans. Whenever I went with my parents to visit their friends or family, the next day I drew the houses plans. Then, while reading a book of poetry that I loved and along with my first crushes on girls, I started writing poetry. So I started studying arts and I met a teacher who led me to paint in oils. These moments defined me as an artist and a creative person. But one day I had to take photos for a school project and i liked it so much to do, that I realized that was what I wanted to do. And I did it with my dog (Sheila)

http://olhares.sapo.pt/sheila-esta-frio-foto5024404.html

By: moodphototeija

moodphototeija — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:00:54 +0000

Tears… <3 It is hard to lose a pet, like a friend or relative… My previous German shepherd died in my arms…I won`t ever forget that. We had decided to put him down at the vet on the next day, he was very sick. But even he was in my arms and going away, he tried to fight back and looked me in to my eyes, and I said to him "my love, you can go" and then he took his last breath and slept away… that must be the hardest thing I have ever said to anyone… letting go is not really easy thing to do.

I do not know exact moments which defined me, but I guess all the life experiences all together…

thanks you for sharing your story with us again and have a beautiful week <3

By: Tom Newforge

Tom Newforge — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:52:39 +0000

I think it’s important to discern “dark” from “evil”. That’s tough for some people. Even myself. When I hear “dark” in a certain context I immediately think of the polar opposite of you as a person and for that matter your art. It is dark but done in such a way as through innocent or curious eyes. More voyeuristic if you will. I get a beautiful feel from your art as opposed to feeling uncomfortable or scary.