March/April CPS mixed-media magazine cover |
For those unfamiliar with Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, you can read more here on Wikipedia. Briefly, Dia de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico, the American Southwest, and elsewhere. It focuses on gathering to pray for and remember friends and family who have died. The celebration occurs October 31, November 1 and November 2, similar to the Christian All Hallow's Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Traditionally, altars (called ofrendas) are built, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these gifts. Possessions of the deceased can also be left at graves. Skulls (calaveras) and skeletons, usually depicted as enjoying life, appear everywhere during this holiday.
To enter the reader challenge, you need to create a 6" x 6" (or 6" x 6" x 6") mixed-media skull or calavera. Photos need to be submitted by May 9, 2014. CPS will feature some of the finalists' artwork in the Sept/Oct 2014 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors and/or on their website.
So I thought I would practice drawing skulls this week and doodling them. Unfortunately, I only got one completed.
6" x 6" calavera ZIA (Zentangle-Inspired-Art) with tangles, flowers, and doodles. Sakura micron pen (0.1, 0.5, and 0.8), and pencil on mixed-media paper. |
I was happier with it before I added the printemps (spiral) tangle pattern around the eyes, upper cheekbones, and bridge of the nose. This tangle didn't leave enough open space like the rest of the skull has. My shading doesn't show up as well as I would like, either, and I want to play more with the exact shape of the calavera. But that's why I want to practice, until I get a design I'm happy with and from which to create a piece of mixed-media. I also need to experiment with mixed-media techniques to decide what I want to include in creating a mixed-media calavera.
Very cool piece. This looks like it will be a fun challenge to do.
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