“Beauty for Ashes”

January 2019, wood ashes and acrylic on metal

Most of the things I make are meaningful to me in some way, and this piece is no exception. The tree is made entirely out of ashes and glue, and it is meant to represent a time of sadness or mourning, out of which God will bring growth, joy, and peace. The tree is certainly not dead, and when springtime arrives, it will burst into bud, stronger and more beautiful than ever before.

I’d imagine that most people can relate to the “beauty for ashes” theme in some way. But for me personally, there have been many piles of metaphorical ashes in my life, but there hasn’t been a single one that Jesus has failed to turn into something beautiful.

I started out with a bare piece of galvanized metal that had the edges rolled to the back so it wouldn’t be sharp. I cleaned it with acetone (nail polish remover), and then added a background of night sky and snowy rolling hills. I used my favorite brand of acrylic paint in just four colors: titanium white, uniform blue, metallic silver sterling, and metallic sequin black. I thought using a few metallic colors in the sky gave it a little bit of shimmer, and lent it that cold, clear feeling that the sky takes on in winter.

You could certainly use a different type of paint or glue than I’ve used, but if your glue isn’t water-based, you can’t mix the ashes with water. And if you use oil paints, you won’t be able to make a water-based glue or sealant stick to it. So make sure that whatever materials you’re using are all compatible with each other. If you use acrylic paints and Mod Podge like I have, you’ll be fine.

I used the metallic black paint to write in some text taken from Isaiah 61, that says:

“The Lord will comfort those who mourn. He will give unto them beauty for ashes, that they may be as trees of righteousness.”

Then I let it dry and gave the whole thing a couple of coats of Mod Podge so that I could wipe off the ashes more easily if I made a mistake while I was adding the tree.

Here’s a handy tip: mix the ashes and glue together in a cookie tray (like you’d get from a pack of Oreos or a cookie like that) because the cookie trays have little ridges all over them that make it really easy to work lumps out of the ashes mixture, and you can just recycle the tray when you’re through.

I mixed wood ashes with water until it was the consistency of thin paint. Then I added Mod Podge (about 2 parts ashes/water and one part Mod Podge, but I didn’t measure anything) and mixed it well. This gave me a mixture that was about the consistency of pudding.

I started by roughing in the “bones” of the tree, and then went back and added coat after coat of ashes to build the tree up to a textured 3-D shape, letting it dry thoroughly after each coat. The ashes mixture is a different color before it’s dry, as you can see in the photos. If you make a mistake, a damp Q-tip makes a good eraser. When I was getting to the finer tips of the branches, I switched to using a toothpick instead of a brush.

When I was done with the tree, I gave the whole thing two more coats of Mod Podge to seal it and protect the ashes. I curled the ends of a picture hanging wire (to help it grab the adhesive better) and attached it to the back of the piece using E-6000 adhesive. I also added foam squares on the corners to keep the metal from scuffing the wall.

I really like the way it turned out. I feel like I literally made beauty out of ashes, like how the passage talks about beauty being made from metaphorical ashes. It symbolizes something that’s close to my heart, and I hope you enjoyed seeing it as well.

~ Jessie

About SnazzyBot

I am an artist and fashion designer with a passion for helping people bring their own creative dreams to life. I love sharing my projects with fellow crafters, and I hope you find ideas and inspiration on my blog! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use my affiliate links to make a purchase.

18 Responses

  1. June Hodgins (Lollita Faith) – I am a suicide attempt survivor. Through all the deep dark valleys I walked, suddenly I discovered a light at the end of the tunnel shining so bright, greater than I had ever seen before. How was it possible for a woman such as I, to have come so far in life, with nothing but loneliness and despair, then suddenly I'm rescued? Could it be possible it was for such a time as this? There are too many people today that are ending their life needlessly. I am now an advocate for suicide prevention. My passion and prayer has become my mission to share my journey to make a difference in someone’s life and I believe it is possible!
    Lollita Faith

    Love it and I was wondering can you create it on canvass as well or does it have to be metal

    1. SnazzyBot – I am an artist and fashion designer with a passion for helping people bring their own creative dreams to life. I love sharing my projects with fellow crafters, and I hope you find ideas and inspiration on my blog! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use my affiliate links to make a purchase.
      SnazzyBot

      Hi Lollita, I’m glad you liked it!

      You could make it using a wooden board or plank as a base, and you could give canvas a try, but I was worried that the canvas would flex too much, and that the ashes tree might crack or crumble.

      But I was also planning on displaying my piece in a public place, and I figured people would be poking at it, so you might not need to worry so much if yours will be displayed in a more protected area.

      1. June Hodgins (Lollita Faith) – I am a suicide attempt survivor. Through all the deep dark valleys I walked, suddenly I discovered a light at the end of the tunnel shining so bright, greater than I had ever seen before. How was it possible for a woman such as I, to have come so far in life, with nothing but loneliness and despair, then suddenly I'm rescued? Could it be possible it was for such a time as this? There are too many people today that are ending their life needlessly. I am now an advocate for suicide prevention. My passion and prayer has become my mission to share my journey to make a difference in someone’s life and I believe it is possible!
        Lollita Faith

        Awesome I definitely would like to try it sometime but I’m no artist as far as drawing 😉 but you certainly did a great job and I’m sure if you made others people would buy them

      2. SnazzyBot – I am an artist and fashion designer with a passion for helping people bring their own creative dreams to life. I love sharing my projects with fellow crafters, and I hope you find ideas and inspiration on my blog! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use my affiliate links to make a purchase.
        SnazzyBot

        Thank you so much!

      3. you could probably use canvas board in place of the metal background. it is a hard enough surface that it should hold up well to the application of the tree… just a thought. 🙂

      4. SnazzyBot – I am an artist and fashion designer with a passion for helping people bring their own creative dreams to life. I love sharing my projects with fellow crafters, and I hope you find ideas and inspiration on my blog! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use my affiliate links to make a purchase.
        SnazzyBot

        That does sound like a good idea! I had the metal on hand already, but canvas board would be easy to come by and would probably work great. Thanks for your comment!

  2. Before reading the comments, I was wondering the same thing as Lollita and like her, I am no artist as far as drawing goes, but would like to try making it. I agree with her that people would buy these if you made them for sale. Thank you for sharing this. It really touched me.

    1. SnazzyBot – I am an artist and fashion designer with a passion for helping people bring their own creative dreams to life. I love sharing my projects with fellow crafters, and I hope you find ideas and inspiration on my blog! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use my affiliate links to make a purchase.
      SnazzyBot

      Thank you! Jesus has been so good to me, and I love creating art that honors Him. I’m so glad it touched you.

  3. Perfect! My father passed on last fall and l have been trying to think of something to do with some of his ashes. This will be a wonderful way to keep him in my remembrance.

    1. SnazzyBot – I am an artist and fashion designer with a passion for helping people bring their own creative dreams to life. I love sharing my projects with fellow crafters, and I hope you find ideas and inspiration on my blog! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use my affiliate links to make a purchase.
      SnazzyBot

      I’m sorry about your dad. I think it’s so sweet that you’re going to remember him this way.

      “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted…”

    1. SnazzyBot – I am an artist and fashion designer with a passion for helping people bring their own creative dreams to life. I love sharing my projects with fellow crafters, and I hope you find ideas and inspiration on my blog! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use my affiliate links to make a purchase.
      SnazzyBot

      Lol, that’s a great question. I actually have a little woodstove with a glass door right there in my sewing room, but any friend who uses a fireplace should have plenty to share.

  4. alimw2013 – About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.
    alimw2013

    Love this!! And the meaning behind it!!

    1. SnazzyBot – I am an artist and fashion designer with a passion for helping people bring their own creative dreams to life. I love sharing my projects with fellow crafters, and I hope you find ideas and inspiration on my blog! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use my affiliate links to make a purchase.
      SnazzyBot

      I’m glad you liked it!

  5. SnazzyBot – I am an artist and fashion designer with a passion for helping people bring their own creative dreams to life. I love sharing my projects with fellow crafters, and I hope you find ideas and inspiration on my blog! As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use my affiliate links to make a purchase.
    SnazzyBot

    Thank you! I believe it came from an HVAC supply shop, but it has been a couple of years and I’m not positive.

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