Testimonials
End of Life Service and Grief Support
"Shelby supported me as a death doula through the loss of a dear friend who passed away from pancreatic cancer within a year of his diagnosis. She helped to guide me through the grieving process to find the courage, inner resources, and strength to navigate unthinkable terrain. And when grief became anticipatory, ambiguous, and unresolvable due to complex circumstances, she shared visualization techniques and exercises to help me reach somatic completion. Shelby's empathy alongside her deep background as an artist, future art therapist, and storyteller serve her well in her role in supporting others through moving through grief." - Shin Yu
"Shelby’s support has made a huge difference as I experienced several major losses over the past few years. She has a deep understanding of what’s needed, and when. At different points along my grief journey she has offered different tools – gifts, truly – for perspective and healing in that place and time. Grief can feel like an absolute wilderness, but at the same time, not something I’ve wanted to hurry past. Shelby offers affirmation and understanding that helps me where I am. One of Shelby’s first offerings to me about grief, several years ago, has always stayed with me: “Think now about what you will need when the time comes.” Most recently, I booked a grief session with Shelby over video chat, at a time when I was preparing to support my aunt’s final weeks of life. Knowing I had this session booked in advance gave me strength as I stepped in to a more active supportive role at the end of my aunt’s life. After her death, I doubt I would’ve had the capacity to schedule a session, so it was a gift to have that time ready and waiting. During our session, Shelby provided a caring space to witness and honor the grief I was experiencing, suggestions for both allowing and releasing these experiences, and centering on what I was needing with specific, simple ideas I could use to continue the process. Shelby brings curiosity and loving kindness to the conversation, honoring my connections with those I am grieving. Her caring reinforces that these connections matter in my life." - Emily
"As I walk this life's journey, I realize how important it is to be able to express and to be lovingly helped through grief. I've realized that losing someone is a process and I recently experienced my closest friend pass, my dog of 12 years, and I have a lot of animals but I was closest to my dog. I couldn't seem to quit hurting, and really not knowing how I'm gonna face what's coming. Shelby's words carried me through some dark sadness in my life and she would say "draw her" and I had no idea the release of pain. I started thinking about seeing my dog and maybe telling my story on paper - even the first drawing made my heart feel better and looking and knowing that she really didn't leave me she's all around me. I started to heal and even though I miss her every day, I see things lovingly different. It's not easy to stand alone when you're in grief and to have someone with kind words whose encouraging and with a gentle hand to help you to understand things in a different way, in a loving way and to know you're not alone, really is important. Shelby help has helped me through all that. My grief, everyone's grief, is different and it's good to have some one who has kindness, compassion, and empathy for all beings as a guide because she has also been through it." - Lin
"Shelby’s support has made a huge difference as I experienced several major losses over the past few years. She has a deep understanding of what’s needed, and when. At different points along my grief journey she has offered different tools – gifts, truly – for perspective and healing in that place and time. Grief can feel like an absolute wilderness, but at the same time, not something I’ve wanted to hurry past. Shelby offers affirmation and understanding that helps me where I am. One of Shelby’s first offerings to me about grief, several years ago, has always stayed with me: “Think now about what you will need when the time comes.” Most recently, I booked a grief session with Shelby over video chat, at a time when I was preparing to support my aunt’s final weeks of life. Knowing I had this session booked in advance gave me strength as I stepped in to a more active supportive role at the end of my aunt’s life. After her death, I doubt I would’ve had the capacity to schedule a session, so it was a gift to have that time ready and waiting. During our session, Shelby provided a caring space to witness and honor the grief I was experiencing, suggestions for both allowing and releasing these experiences, and centering on what I was needing with specific, simple ideas I could use to continue the process. Shelby brings curiosity and loving kindness to the conversation, honoring my connections with those I am grieving. Her caring reinforces that these connections matter in my life." - Emily
"As I walk this life's journey, I realize how important it is to be able to express and to be lovingly helped through grief. I've realized that losing someone is a process and I recently experienced my closest friend pass, my dog of 12 years, and I have a lot of animals but I was closest to my dog. I couldn't seem to quit hurting, and really not knowing how I'm gonna face what's coming. Shelby's words carried me through some dark sadness in my life and she would say "draw her" and I had no idea the release of pain. I started thinking about seeing my dog and maybe telling my story on paper - even the first drawing made my heart feel better and looking and knowing that she really didn't leave me she's all around me. I started to heal and even though I miss her every day, I see things lovingly different. It's not easy to stand alone when you're in grief and to have someone with kind words whose encouraging and with a gentle hand to help you to understand things in a different way, in a loving way and to know you're not alone, really is important. Shelby help has helped me through all that. My grief, everyone's grief, is different and it's good to have some one who has kindness, compassion, and empathy for all beings as a guide because she has also been through it." - Lin
Ecological Art Making and Education
"I want to thank you again for the workshop that you supervised. We had a great time and, I believe, learned a great deal in the process." - Paul, Founder of Bay Islands International School, Roatan Honduras
"I recently hosted and attended the Kaleidoscope from the Sea workshop, for Tualatin Valley Creates presented by Shelby Silver. As a presenter Shelby is inspiring, creative and soothing in her technique to share the importance of being aware of plastic marine debris on our Oregon beaches. At the same time she helps us understand how a positive solution can be achieved through creative conservation. Shelby is an amazing artist, storyteller, ecologist and authentic human being. I feel very fortunate to have crossed paths with her as I learn from her and am constantly inspired by her." Thank you Shelby! - Jayne, Tualatin Valley Creates Program Manager Washington County OR
"Thank you again for an incredible workshop this weekend. I think we had some very happy ladies. Thank you again for my lovely earrings as well-I feel so gifted!" - Megan, Arts Education Director, Cannon Beach Art Association Cannon Beach OR
"Shelby offers the gifts of creativity and wonder to her audiences - she shares her deep connection to land and sea through compelling artwork and passionate storytelling. With beauty and vulnerability, Shelby inspires her audience to reflect, engage, and develop their own deep connections to the places they call "home"." - Dana, Art Development & Education, Swan School Port Townsend Wa.
"I love creating art and cleaning marine debris off the beach, so I was delighted to learn a new technique that combines both activities! I also work as an environmental educator, so I'm always trying to find ways to inspire people (and myself!) to take action to protect the marine environment and maintain hope for positive solutions to big, serious problems like plastic pollution in the ocean. Thanks again for the inspiring project opportunity! I really enjoyed getting to work together and hope we get to do so again in the future." - Carolyn, Education Coordinator, Port Townsend Wa. Marine Science Center
"I am truly grateful for the time you spent with us. Who you are, your art work and the way you presented it, shines so brilliantly! Thank you for coming to our senior home, where that kind of light is needed so desperately. Please continue to find yourself and lose yourself in your art, and by doing so, lift the spirits of all those around you!"
- Sarianne, Life Enrichment Coordinator, Victoria House Port Townsend Wa.
"I recently hosted and attended the Kaleidoscope from the Sea workshop, for Tualatin Valley Creates presented by Shelby Silver. As a presenter Shelby is inspiring, creative and soothing in her technique to share the importance of being aware of plastic marine debris on our Oregon beaches. At the same time she helps us understand how a positive solution can be achieved through creative conservation. Shelby is an amazing artist, storyteller, ecologist and authentic human being. I feel very fortunate to have crossed paths with her as I learn from her and am constantly inspired by her." Thank you Shelby! - Jayne, Tualatin Valley Creates Program Manager Washington County OR
"Thank you again for an incredible workshop this weekend. I think we had some very happy ladies. Thank you again for my lovely earrings as well-I feel so gifted!" - Megan, Arts Education Director, Cannon Beach Art Association Cannon Beach OR
"Shelby offers the gifts of creativity and wonder to her audiences - she shares her deep connection to land and sea through compelling artwork and passionate storytelling. With beauty and vulnerability, Shelby inspires her audience to reflect, engage, and develop their own deep connections to the places they call "home"." - Dana, Art Development & Education, Swan School Port Townsend Wa.
"I love creating art and cleaning marine debris off the beach, so I was delighted to learn a new technique that combines both activities! I also work as an environmental educator, so I'm always trying to find ways to inspire people (and myself!) to take action to protect the marine environment and maintain hope for positive solutions to big, serious problems like plastic pollution in the ocean. Thanks again for the inspiring project opportunity! I really enjoyed getting to work together and hope we get to do so again in the future." - Carolyn, Education Coordinator, Port Townsend Wa. Marine Science Center
"I am truly grateful for the time you spent with us. Who you are, your art work and the way you presented it, shines so brilliantly! Thank you for coming to our senior home, where that kind of light is needed so desperately. Please continue to find yourself and lose yourself in your art, and by doing so, lift the spirits of all those around you!"
- Sarianne, Life Enrichment Coordinator, Victoria House Port Townsend Wa.