HOUSTON -- Wayne Gilbert's studio in the Heights is filled with all sorts of artwork, but his most prized paintings aren't just made from paint.
Gilbert uses cremated human remains that have been abandoned in funeral homes.
"I was driving on the 610 Loop one day and the idea crossed my mind: I can use human remains," Gilbert said.
So for the past decade, he’s mixed human ashes with a gel to create unique colors and textures. He uses the material to create dozens of paintings that now hang in his gallery, studio and warehouse.
Gilbert recognizes that some people might find his artwork bizarre or weird, but he says that's part of the point.
"The minute somebody says, 'Did you know there's different human being remains in there?' Pow, the game changes and the conversation becomes a whole new game," Gilbert said.
With few exceptions, he refuses to sell the artwork. He says he’s been offered lots of money for certain pieces, but has turned the offers down.
Gilbert defends his use of ashes in art, saying he treats the remains with the utmost respect.
"(Some) might have a negative response," Gilbert said. "When they begin to think about the possibility that these people could be here for eternity rather than in a trash bin, they soften up quite a bit."