Dia de los Muertos

A New Collection

Hey! This time of year is so fun. The excitement of upcoming holidays and events gets me bouncing. One aspect of fall is the idea of death. Our flowers, grass, and trees all go to sleep, at least here in Utah, and we revel in the beauty and joy of the harvest. We also look forward with hope to spring when the world will reawaken and bloom. When it comes to the loss of loved ones, we mourn those who will no longer be present at our celebrations, and we also hope for a day when we see them again.

I am not Mexican, but I find the idea of Dia de los Muertos to be so beautiful. First and foremost honoring and remembering those who came before. I think we all want to be remembered… to have made an impact. How meaningful it is that families ensure their loved ones are not forgotten — generation after generation. It’s lovely.

I did some research on world history.org about Mictlantecuhtli (“‘Lord of the Land of the Dead’” AKA “the Aztec God of Death”) and about Calaveras, or sugar skulls, from dayofthedead.holiday (I am not an expert by any means, so please feel free to do your own research).

Sugar skulls are, according to dayofthedeadholiday.com, a nod to the ancient tradition of tzompantli which was “a wooden rack in which the skulls of war prisoners or human sacrifices were displayed. These civilizations believed in a spiritual life after death, and so these skulls were an offering to the god of the underworld, Mictlantecuhtli, who would assure a safe passage into the land he ruled.” These traditions were lost, in large degree, due to “the arrival of Spanish conquerors.” But sugar skulls are a connection to that ancient practice.

Sugar skulls, and the Day of the Dead holiday, are colorful because it is a celebration of lives lived and the impact people had on those still living. Even the colors used to decorate the skulls have significance as do the Mexican Marigolds which are an integral part of the holiday. To add more meaning to the sugar skulls placed on an Ofrenda, sugar skulls may have names written on them to directly remember and honor “someone who’s passed on” (dayofthedead.holiday).

I have known many family members who have passed on. I was lucky enough to know two of my great grandmas before they died. My family also had a surrogate grandpa and another close family friend who passed away when I was a kid. My father-in-law died a few years ago, as did my grandma and grandpa. I also have a great grandma whom I never met, but who has had a deep impact on me my whole life (she was an artist and a silly, wonderful sort of person). I love these people, but I haven’t ever made a dedicated effort to honor and remember them. I feel inspired by the loving example of those who celebrate The Day of the Dead and plan to try harder to help my children know these family members through my memories.

I have created a very small collection of three paintings of sugar skulls. They are all six inches by eight inches on wood panel. They are painted in acrylic paint and sealed with varnish.

I will also have three commission slots open wherein I can place a particular name or names on the painting.

How these commissions will work:

1. Before I create your commission, you will have the opportunity to request colors and if there are significant plants or items you would like portrayed in the painting.

2. I will create a mockup for your perusal after receiving a small, non-refundable commission fee/deposit that will be separate from the cost of the painting.

3. Once you have approved the general design, I will begin your painting.

4. Upon completion, before being sealed, I will again ask for your approval and make any necessary changes. Once the requested changes are made, I will again reach out for your approval.

5. If no changes are to be made, I will request payment and (once payment is received) I will seal and ship your painting.