Before I even moved to New Mexico, I was having visions of creating some new and updated sugar skull art. I have created many sugar skulls over the years in my photography... and there are also a few paintings from over 10 years ago as well. One time I sculpted a La Catrina statue which was a lot of fun (image posted below). I LOVE sculpting and plan to make some more of sculptures at some point. If you walk around Old Town Albuquerque, you will find a lot of sugar skulls, flaming hearts, artwork and more.
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A sugar skull, or "calavera," is a decorative skull made from sugar, often used in the celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexican culture. These vibrant and intricately designed skulls symbolize the belief that death is a part of life and should be embraced rather than feared. Traditionally, sugar skulls are adorned with colorful designs, reflecting the personality or interests of the deceased they honor. They serve as a reminder that loved ones who have passed away are still present in spirit, encouraging families to celebrate their lives with joy and remembrance rather than sorrow.
La Catrina, an iconic figure in Mexican culture, represents death in a playful yet respectful manner, especially during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Created by artist José Guadalupe Posada in the early 20th century, she is often depicted as a skeletal female figure dressed in elegant, fancy clothing, symbolizing the idea that death is an equalizer that transcends social class. La Catrina serves as a reminder to embrace mortality and celebrate life, urging people to honor their deceased loved ones with joy and creativity. She has become a beloved symbol of the holiday, embodying the festive spirit and cultural richness of the traditions surrounding death and remembrance in Mexico.
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My art style has evolved over the years, so I am excited to create some new sugar skull art with where I'm at now. I started a new painting today, with a skull and a rose. My sister claimed this piece the moment she saw it, so now I am working on more.
Halloween season is coming, and I have an art fair show on Oct 11th & 12th at Weems Gallery in ABQ. I'm excited to get many of these going and hope to have several ready soon. Its also very possible that as I dive back in to my photography and meet more models locally... I will create some really fun sugar skull images with creative teams as they come into my life.
I will update this post as I create, to share more in this thread. Thanks so much for visiting my site and looking at my art!
Update to the right: I decided to do a skull with animal spirits.
The combination of a skull, butterfly, and snake carries rich spiritual symbolism:
Skull: Often represents mortality, the cycle of life and death, and the impermanence of existence. It can serve as a reminder to embrace life fully and acknowledge the inevitability of change.
Butterfly: Symbolizes transformation, rebirth, and the beauty of change. The butterfly's life cycle—from caterpillar to chrysalis to winged creature—represents personal growth and the emergence of the true self.
Snake: Typically associated with healing, transformation, and renewal. In many cultures, snakes shed their skin, symbolizing the release of the old and the embrace of the new. They can also represent duality, such as wisdom and danger.
Together, these symbols can convey a powerful message about the journey of life. They remind us that through acknowledging our mortality (skull), embracing transformation (butterfly), and undergoing renewal (snake), we can find deeper meaning and growth in our experiences. This trio encourages us to face change with courage and to recognize the beauty that can arise from life's cycles.
The next piece I'm working on is a cow skull: work in progress...
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