top of page
20250806_171109_edited.jpg

About

Welcome to Chi Memorial Portraits. I am Chiara Denisa, the artist behind the memorial portraits. I am based in Faversham in Kent and am dedicated to creating portraits that honour the memory of your loved ones. I work with graphite pencils, meticuosly hand-drawing each piece to capture the soul and essence of the individual.

When I am not creating art, you can find me down at my local pool where I enjoy synchronized swimming. Otherwise I spend my free time attempting to play guitar (badly), falling off a skateboard or practicing yoga.

My Journey

For a long time, I felt like I was moving through life without a real sense of purpose. My days were filled with boredom - doing jobs I didn't really care about, daydreaming about a different life. As I grew closer to my 30's, I found myself wanting to gain some meaning to my life. I wanted to turn the focus less about me and more onto others. 

 

I've always had an interest in art, and found I had quite a natural talent for drawing through my school years, though I rarely made time for it as an adult. However, whenever I did, it always brought a sense of peace and calm, it was meditative to me in a way. My friends and family often praised my talent, encouraging me to take it seriously. Over the years I began to consider: What if I could use my art to bring peace to others, too?

Death is a part of life that’s too often silenced or avoided. It's something we all face, and yet it’s something we’re rarely prepared to talk about or understand. Losing my cat (my best friend) and my grandfather within a short space of time was a turning point for me. Their absence affected me deeply, and even years later, their memory brings tears to my eyes. I've also witnessed the losses that other people have endured and how that loss has affected that person for years later. The grief from a loss can be heavy and it can linger, whether it’s for a family member, beloved pet or a friend.

 

These experiences are what inspired me to create Chi Memorial Portraits. My goal is to give others a sense of comfort and connection, offering a visual representation of those we miss. These portraits aren’t just images; they’re a way to bring loved ones back into our lives, to feel their presence in the everyday moments. Whether it’s casually chatting to them as you cook dinner, finding strength from their memory as you look upon their portrait or simply seeing their face greet you when you come home, my hope is that each portrait serves as a gentle reminder that love endures beyond loss.

My mission

77% of people said there was a pressure to stop grieving in front of people after a period of time, and 33% of bereaved people say they avoid talking about their loss because they knew it would make other people uncomfortable. ​

My mission is to give bereaved people a portrait of their loved one, one which manages to alleviate loneliness and provide a sense of comfort to them through their time of grief.

 

No matter who you are and who you have lost, my karma pricing system allows for the opportunity for everyone to be gifted with a portrait.

If you would like a portrait you can request one here.​​​​

My vision

My biggest desire with these portraits is to build a community which will help alleviate each others pain and loss, and hopefully help each other feel that bit less lonely. After the funeral is over it's as if the world doesn't wish to talk about your loss anymore and many bereaved people in the UK are avoiding talking about loved ones after they die. With this community I wish to provide a safe space for you to connect with others who are also going through their grief journey. To achieve this, I wish to:

  •  Create a memorial wall on this website where you can share your/your person's story alongside a photo of their portrait.

  •  A community forum where customers and supporters who have experienced loss can feel safe enough to express their thoughts and feelings with others who have experienced the same thing. ​

  • Write a monthly blog post to help support you on your grief journey and provide discussion prompts for the forum and/or your own journal.

  • Collaborate with bereavement charities to provide more resources for you in times of need.

I am only one person, so please bear with me as I try to implement future aims. If you would like to help and support my work but do not wish for a portrait, then I invite you to make a donation by buying me a coffee. Otherwise, please share this site so others can find my work.

bottom of page