San Diego, CA -- Most artists put themselves into their work, but one San Diego man also puts the cremated remains of beloved pets into his art.

Daniel Ortega is the creator of "Ashwork," a medium that mixes stone, plants, earth and ashen remains of pets into a one-of-a-kind black and white or color relief.

Grieving pet owners fill out a pet biography which Ortega uses for inspiration. He can also sculpt personal symbols into the art "as long as they're not too complicated."

Ortega came up with the idea years ago, but held off on launching his business, ashwork.com, until recently because he "didn't think people would accept it."

These days his commissioned art ranges in price from $315 to $915.

Just in case you're wondering, Ortega says paintings made from human remains will have to wait. He has done works with the remains of his niece, but he has no interest in offering that type of work to the public at this time.

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