17 Apr Musical Dia De Los Muertos Skull
This is a piece where a client gave me an idea, and the freedom to do whatever I want with it. Initially it was supposed to be a traditional sugar skull integrated with music notes. For the day of the dead celebration, families would offer trinkets or the deceased’s favorite candies on the grave. Ofrendas are also put in homes, such as the sugar skull. The ofrendas are left out in the homes as a welcoming gesture for the deceased. Some people believe the spirits of the dead eat the “spiritual essence” of the ofrendas food. The music notes would be from Nirvana’s song “Come As You Are.” Kurt Cobain described this song as “About people, and what they’re expected to act like.”
I’m a huge fan of traditional work, but I wanted to add a realistic twist to this one. I found a great reference picture of a human skull, and drew the sugar skull patterns on it. I added some filigree and roses to frame the entire piece. The final touch was the music notes flowing out from the skull’s mouth. I want to thank Jesus for sitting like a rock, and allowing me to do this piece on him. I’m looking forward to doing more like these. Here are some photos of the session.
