Nancy MacGregor is a Philadelphia-based art therapist.  Nancy recently reconnected with painting seriously after taking many years off due to focusing on her clinical practice and raising her children. As a result of a deep personal loss, she entered into the most prolific period of her art making. This period began with the artistic representation of the five stages of grief (Kubler-Ross): 1) Denial, 2) Anger, 3) Bargaining, 4) Depression, and 5) Acceptance.

Nancy describes this process as “consciously sub-conscious”.  She started with predetermined symbols/themes and titles, but she left the space for unintended imagery to emerge. Upon reflecting on the series, Nancy has been able to identify some of that material, such as graphic manifestations of defense mechanisms, the subtle dynamics between the elements, and the shifting power of the grief itself. This has allowed for further exploration and internal understanding of her own grief process. 
Each stage of grief as depicted by Nancy, includes four bluebirds (representing the four individuals attempting to gain mastery over the loss) and a skeleton bird (representing the lost object). 

Nancy’s work continues to focus on the evolving themes / imagery of pain, growth, and healing, as well as their integration. More of her art can be seen on her Instagram page: 
birds_and_bones_ 

https://instagram.com/birds_and_bones_?igshid=1u9r6x0bagvao