Make something meaningful with the grief you’re carrying.
Grief can leave us with stories, memories, and feelings that are difficult to put into words. Brush With Grief offers time to work with your hands, connect with others, and create a personal brush that holds meaning for you.
Based in Boulder, Colorado, Brush With Grief is a program of Contemplative Caregiver LLC. We bring together natural materials, grounding practices, reflection, and optional sharing. No art experience is needed.
Meet Andrew Koch, LPC
Andrew Koch is the founder of Brush With Grief and a Colorado Licensed Professional Counselor. Through Contemplative Caregiver, his work supports caregivers and people navigating grief, loss, and life changes.
Andrew brings his counseling background, interest in contemplative practice, and love of working with natural materials to BWG. His approach makes room for different experiences of grief and respects each person’s pace. Through BWG, he has shared the brushmaking process with approximately 150 participants.
The workshop invites you to choose materials, notice what comes up, and decide what you want to share. You are welcome to speak, listen, work quietly, or take a break.
Why a brush?
A brush brings separate materials together into something you can hold and use. A piece of wood, a length of thread, or a few strands of fur can carry a memory, a relationship, or something you are still finding words for.
You might make a brush in memory of someone who died, honor an animal companion, mark a transition, or explore what caregiving has changed in your life. You decide what your brush represents.
Materials include wood, natural fibers, fur, plant materials, and binding supplies. You may also bring a small meaningful item, such as pet fur, a piece of fabric, a feather, or a memento. Bringing something personal is optional.
Your brush goes home with you. You can use it to make art, include it in a personal remembrance practice, or keep it as a meaningful object.
What happens in a workshop
Our standard two-hour workshop gives us time to settle in, make, and reflect together:
- 20 minutes — Welcome and grounding. Arrive, meet the group, and settle into the space.
- 20 minutes — Initial show-and-tell and optional sharing. Explore materials and share a grief story or intention if you wish.
- 60 minutes — Brushmaking. Choose your materials and create your brush with guidance available.
- 20 minutes — Final show-and-tell and reflection. Share your brush, reflect on the experience, or simply listen.
Materials are provided. You can participate without telling your full story, and your brush does not need to look a particular way.
There is room for your grief
BWG welcomes grief connected to a death, a pet, a relationship, health changes, caregiving, work, identity, or a future that has changed. You do not need a recent loss or a clear explanation of what you are feeling.
People of different backgrounds, beliefs, and identities are welcome. Check individual event listings for age guidance and details about gatherings designed for particular communities.
BWG offers supportive, creative group experiences. Individual mental health counseling is a separate service available through Contemplative Caregiver.
Join a workshop or host BWG
We offer free community gatherings alongside paid workshops and opportunities for organizations to host a group. Each event listing explains the format, cost, and registration details.
Libraries, hospices, caregiver organizations, arts groups, workplaces, and other community partners are welcome to connect about hosting Brush With Grief.
Explore upcoming workshops · Ask about hosting a group
Bring what you’re carrying. We’ll make room for it together.
