Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos

A Mexican holiday celebrated between November 1 & 2, which is not to be mixed up with All Saints Day, which is a catholic tradition.

Look opheliafu - I even drew my first rose!

The Mexican tradition is that on October 31st at midnight, the gates of heaven will open up allowing the deceased spirits of the children to be reunited with their families on November 1 for 24 hours. The adult spirits have their opportunity on November 2nd. [citation]

It is believed that happy spirits will bring the living family good luck and protection, which is why many families create special altars adorned with a lot of food and drinks; toys and candles are for the young spirits, often smokes and booze for the adult spirits.

Because it is a celebration of life, Dia de los Muertos is not a morbid holiday by any stretch of the imagination.

Oftentimes, this is the time of year when families come together so the generations may celebrate their dead relatives.

Okay, so maybe you don't like hanging out in the cemetery. I've personally never had a problem with it. I especially love really old cemeteries. There is so much history and mystery there!

November 2, the families gather at the cemetery to spend the day there. They picnic, play games, or clean the tombs.

What's with the colorful skulls?

From what I've found, the colorful skulls is a modern tradition. The genus is from the 17th century when sugar art was brought to the New World by Italian missionaries. [citation]

Mexico is sugar-rich and they were taught sugar art and quickly adapted it to their style and tradition.

The plethora of available colors is used to decorate the sugar skulls in folk art tradition and often placed on the family altar or the tombstone.

If you think about it, the Day of the Dead is really a celebration of life.

Initial pencil sketch

@opheliafu

This is your #NameInLights

This segues beautifully into the my inspiration - the person and her art.

@opheliafu is so open and giving of her art and heart. She really loves Steemit and it shows through her work.

From trips with Alice through the looking glass, to fun and inspirational words, she engages the community with her aura. Oh, and if you didn't already know it, she's Steem cat approved. LOL.

It's been a while since I've seen her posing with her art, but visit her post: Engage with Steemit because your words paint a picture and put a real face to her work.

She has helped me awaken the love that I have for drawing and color...things that I have put aside because, well, life.

Sometimes I look at her finished pieces, especially the mixed media, and go, Man, I wish I could do that!

But she's really been a guide by answering my questions about technique, supplies, and just being supportive.

It's hard to believe that I haven't had my own sketch pad for over 20 years! But I do now - and that is in large part because she's just amazing and I'm so glad she is part of my Steemit life.

Starting to add some color now

Now, I've always been a fan of folk art of all cultures, but the cheerful colors of Mexican art is one of my favorites.

When @opheliafu began drawing skulls, I was compelled to research, practice, and draw one to dedicate to her.

Some of her skulls:

Don't Lose Your Head
Say Hello to Madame Autumn!
Thar she blows! It’s Talk Like A Pirate Day
Hello Monsieur Daisy!

I simply couldn't pick a favorite one!

And here I am posing with the final piece. I hope I've done her justice.

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