Artist Val Thompson creates commissioned paintings incorporating the ashes of people who have died, as memorials for their surviving loved ones. Above is a beach scene that Thompson painted for Anne Kearney, using some of her husband John's ashes mixed into the paint. It depicts the couple's last vacation together. From Sky:
(Kearney) was so pleased with the results that Ms Thompson did three more paitings for her before starting up her new business 'Ash 2 Art'.
"My brother and I did a bit of research on the internet and discovered nobody else is providing this sort of service," she said.
"Brush With Death: Painter Uses Ashes For Art" (Sky)
"Widow uses dead husband's ashes for painting" (Telegraph)