The 3 Calaveras

I created these 3 Calaveras as a series to show the evolution of the "Calavera" within the Mexican Tradition.


This calavera I call, "First Skull".  A hallmark of "modern" humans was the actual burial and ceremonies that followed the death of a loved one.  The body would be decorated and placed in a shallow grave, to be unearthed later and displayed as an honored Ancestor.

The second skull, "Aztec Warrior" .  This calavera shows all of the magical, mystical warrior marking on this skull face.  The Aztec civilization took the power of life/death to another level.

The final skull is the modern Sugar Calavera with bright colors and common motifs.  The modern era has turned the Calavera into more a caricature of death, rather than the powerful and revered original skulls of the Ancestors.

Frida La Sirena

Just finished for 2014,
"Frida la Sirena"
a large shadowbox featuring Frida Kahlo as a mermaid!  I love this one, it was really wonderful to create her.  Hope you like her too.

Abuelos - calavera couple

Still working on Dia de los Muertos.
Here is my latest creation: 

Abuelos

 

 

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Day of the Dead 2013 - Mermaids & Faeries

Creating my Day of the Dead "Skele-Maids" and "Skele-Faeries" for the upcoming Day of the Dead celebrations.  I've created these mermaids and faeries for about 5 years now, and these will be my last ones in this style. 

I've got a new vision for the next generation of mermaids, faeries, Frida Kahlo's, Mariachi's, Luchadores, Kitties, etc, etc.

So here are my latest and last. Hope you like them!

Calaveras and Altered States

Like so many of the things I make, the artwork enters into my mind as a "picture" of the completed work.  Some people might call these events visions, but I don't.  It's just a picture of what needs to be born into this world. 

As I create these Calavera scenes, I start with wire, tape and scrunched up pages from office catalogues.  (I've told the office supply companies to stop sending these, but they insist, so I tear up their brochures, catalogues, and mailers and make something more helpful, namely art).
Then I add the brown craft paper and Gruda (paste), one layer, two layers, underpainting, top coat paint....etc...etc.

As I work..time slows, slows and stops...it's just me and the new creation ....the new life and I float together as bones are painted, eyes are drawn, teeth are formed,.....my hands keep moving, moving, coaxing the new life further and further into this world.... seconds, minutes, hours pass, it doesn't matter.  We spin together in co-creation, it's peaceful, joyous and magical, there is no pain, no past, no regret, it's truly wonderous.  Then in a glorious moment I see the work change from paint, wire and paper into a Being and then it starts to breathe....then move...then she smiles at me and I know I've just been blessed by the Universe herself.

Calavera scene: Viejo y Viejita. 
These Calaveras said to me, "We are too old to go around naked, we are not young anymore, you must make us clothes,."  So here they are, my first calaveras with clothes.  Oh yea, and the man told me he also needed a macho mustache and a gold tooth!  ( go figure.)

Calavera Card Game:

A Quiet Dinner

 

The Compadres

 

La Virgen y La Calavera

 

The Universe & Brown Craft Paper

Now that my artful journey has led me to be a Cartoneria (papier mache artist). I needed brown craftpaper, my husband said, "Oh, we throw tons of that paper away every day at work, I'll bring you some". 

Well, his co-workers asked why he takes the paper home. When he told them that I use it for papier mache, they all banded together and get ALL the paper together each nite, and fill our car!!! 

So thanks Michael (the husband) and a big thanks to all the men at work too! 

The Universe must really like artwork and feel that it is very important for the world.  I'm very grateful and happy to be part of the Art Equation.

This is what I've made from all that wonderful paper!

 

Dia de los Muertos 2012

I've been working on Dia de los Muertos scenes for the Rose Hills Celebration this October. I've got so many ideas, canvasas, shrines, shadowboxes, cards, etc.,etc. Just hope I can finish it all! Here are some pics, I'll be adding more as things are completed. Hope you like them.