Client Testimonials

Noah’s Mummy & Daddy

“The whole process of working with Lanson was amazing from start to finish. Right from our very first contact I felt comfortable chatting with Lanson about our situation. Since we lost our baby boy, Noah, at full term in November 2021 we’d found that babyloss is a subject that some people can feel really uncomfortable with and therefore almost avoid the topic. Lanson made us feel that we could say anything we wanted to about Noah and his story and that she was truly listening. 

We’d had Noah’s ashes at home with us for well over a year and had never committed to doing anything with them. We’d thought about scattering, about planting somewhere, about jewellery, but nothing ever seemed right. 

When I saw Lanson’s ashes to artwork I knew straight away that it felt right. I cried looking at her work for others because I just knew that this would be exactly the right way for us to honour Noah. Something that was so unique to him and something that we could hang pride of place in our home and take with us wherever we went as a family should we ever move home. 

The commission process was a really lovely experience. Lanson came to our home and we spoke about Noah. We talked about his pregnancy, his movements in my belly, the things we’d bought for him, his birth and looked at photographs of him. It felt so emotional, and quite hard at times, but also therapeutic in a way that someone was so happy to talk about Noah with us just as much as someone would have done about a living baby. We truly loved our visit from Lanson. 

Lanson then came back to us in a few days with samples of artwork for Noah’s commission. The way these were presented was so professional and we loved how bespoke to Noah everything was. The colours, the concept, the story behind every option were just so beautiful it was hard to choose just one. 

Noah’s artwork is hanging at the top of our staircase where each morning and evening we say good morning and good night to him as we pass it. 

We can’t thank Lanson enough for what she created for Noah and I truly believe the process will be an amazing support to other families in our situation if they choose to work with her”.

Emma & David

“As a family we commissioned Lanson to create a piece of art to commemorate my grandparents, Gordan & Elsie. We had chosen to combine their ashes together so the piece needed to reflect both of them and their life together. Lanson was sensitive, kind and empathetic; taking the time to truly listen and learn about my grandparents. The initial discussions were very cathartic. Lanson has this natural ability to provoke thoughts and memories; her gentle approach making it easy to share stories from the past. The questionnaire, to further solidify our talks, was also considerately put together. It gave us the opportunity to reflect, in our own time, and provide key information which she could capture in the piece.

Working with Lanson was incredible. The attention to detail, her innovative ideas, the care she demonstrated and the way she sensitively navigated the whole process was just amazing. The samples we received were beautiful. We had a difficult time choosing which one we liked best! Once work commenced on the final piece Lanson was superb at keeping us updated. She continued to ask questions and kept us involved in the process and decision making. It really felt like “our” piece, rather than an artist’s work.

When we received and opened the final piece all I can say is “Wow!” Lanson captured the very essence of my grandparents and their life in Leeds together. Bright colours reflecting their love of gardening and plants. Iconic Yorkshire places, which they loved to visit, were included to depict the proud Yorkshire people they were. Lanson even plotted the locations on the canvas using coordinates and distance from their home, which features in the centre of the piece. The most beautiful aspect though is how Lanson included their ashes. After combining their ashes our family drove up to Malham cove and scattered the ashes in the water there, the river Aire. Lanson thoughtfully, and cleverly, mapped the river Aire into the artwork. A beautiful silver line, which includes the ashes, runs through the painting, reflecting the route of the river past all the landmarks which were important to them.

We could not think of a more fitting way to include them in the piece. As a family we would highly recommend working with Lanson if you wish to immortalise your loved one in a piece of art forever. It’s different, it’s something to hang in your home to look at whenever you wish and it’s another way of keeping your loved ones close. The whole process from start to finish was fantastic. We were dealt with sensitively by Lanson and she offered support, understanding and kindness throughout”.

Helen

“I loved the idea of the Ashes to Art project from the beginning. Something different, unique, special. 

Lanson captured every element of my dad that we hoped to include in this piece of art. A special place visited in life and his final resting place where we scattered his ashes into the sea. The focus on his family and Castleford Tigers (colours), my dad’s two great loves, as well as incorporating the “golden” sands to represent my mum and dad’s 50th wedding anniversary that my dad didn’t quite make. 

We love that this piece of art now has a centre place in our home, to help fill a gap that will never be truly filled. 

Lanson is amazing. A talented artist, a sympathetic listener and a mastermind who puts images in your head onto a canvas. I cannot recommend her, or this alternative keep sake, enough. 

Carrie

“I recently had a wonderful opportunity to work with Lanson as part of the Ashes in to Art project. The service she provided was so unique, bespoke, respectful and healing and I am so grateful to now have this lasting memory of my beautiful Millie.

The start of the process & initial meetings were honestly lovely, it was an opportunity to talk about my feelings and thoughts about Millie in such a positive & happy way. Lanson listened to our memories and reminisced over pictures as if she had also known Millie as I had, taking in the detail and joy we expressed. She then sent over samples based on what she had taken away from our discussions and it was incredible to see how she had interpreted our thoughts and feelings and turn them into beautiful pieces of art.

Losing Millie was extremely difficult for a number of reasons. Since losing her I have moved house and always felt some added sadness that she wasn’t ‘with’ me there. To me the whole representation of a piece of art I can hang in my home was the most important part. Millie had a terrible start to her life and came from an abusive background but regardless of this fact she was the most loving, trusting and gentle soul and giving her a safe and loving home was something I clung to when she passed, that at least Id given her what she deserved throughout her short life. Having this beautiful representation of her felt almost as if she was ‘coming home’ to me again and I feel so much comfort from this thought.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this process, for anyone who wants to memorialise a loved one in a way that can be appreciated by all but has such a special meaning”.