Frida at Home

Frida at Home

This is a larger calavera of Frida Kahlo.  I imagined this as her sitting in her backyard at the
Casa Azul just enjoying the morning.  Hope you like her!

Abuelos - calavera couple

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

Abuelos

 

 

6th & Lorena - a Calavera scene

"A Saturday Night at 6th and Lorena". 

 

 

This particular calavera scene had to be made.  I grew up in ELA during the 70s in a too small house. Things happening that never should of happened.  It's time to acknowledge them and release them. 

Giant Calavera Skulls for Dia de los Muertos 2013

Continuing on my papier mache journey.
Here are my Giant Calavera Skulls series.
(with my coffee cup for scale)

Traditionally Colorful:

 

AZTECT WARRIOR

 

I have news from the world of Gozer.

Random Crazyness from Absolute Strangers!
Went to an Art Faire recently, which shall remain nameless.
Lady came into my booth, looked at my Skele-Mermaid Sisters and asked
"How did you make this?"  I said, "Oh, um...papier mache fins, um...body with glitter,  painted the shadowbox...  Believe me I was trying to answer her, I wasn't being mean or vague.
Then she demanded, yelling, "NO, HOW DID YOU MAKE THIS!!"
Then I said, "What?" still not angry, I just felt I wasn't understanding what she wanted!
So she turned on her heel and STOMPED OUT!
Weird or what, someone please explain that one to me!

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