Dia de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) is a holiday celebration which is held from October 31 to November 2, not only observed throughout Mexico but also in other cultures around the world, including most Latin American countries. This popular tradition is all about the boundaries between life and death, and how people honour and celebrate their deceased loved ones as a way to reconnect with them.
Amelia Calavera was inspired by this colorful celebration and by the beautiful botanic imagery from early 1900’s. © Sandra Vargas
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No, I haven't disappeared from the face of the earth or from blogging!
I'm trying to put in a certain amount of hours per day making art for the various shops I'm in. I have to equate this with showing up for work, and all things considered I like doing it. And I'm the boss of me!!
This is another little paper clay trinket dish I listed on Etsy. When it was dry the shape reminded me of a poppy the way they flatten out. That's how I determine what to paint inside these little guys. I didn't add any gold leaf to this one so it took a little less time.
And if you have never seen this version of the Wizard of Oz, you must get your hands on a copy! Lisbeth Zwerger is one of my favorite illustrators.
Happy Tuesday!
xo
Lo♥
This is what I've been busy doing this past week. It's a birthday surprise for my friend Barb while she's away on vacation in Arizona! She said to do whatever I wanted, but trust me I had some limits here.
Barb is ultra traditional and her kitchen has been the same for the past twenty-two years! I did the last theme as well, black cats and red/white gingham touches.
I took all of the kitty pictures out of the frames and replaced them with four lovely poppy paintings, one of course by Georgia O'Keefe. Then I went to work on this wall, all free-form with very little pre-drawing. (I hate to have to erase lines after!)
This is a very small wall so I kept the design light and flowing. This wall is to the left of the step up into her kitchen. The starfish, sand dollar, beach glass and shells were added because of all the time Barb has spent on Cape Cod at her family's treasured cottage.
(Here's a bit of detail. I hope they enlarge.)
I had a hard time with the shadowing because the wall kept resisting the glaze. Shadowing is my favorite part! That, and detail. Oh well, it will have to do.
And YES, this is what I was painting when I fell backwards and hit my head.
I can't believe I didn't drag my red paintbrush down the wall.
19 Comments on Animal Wednesday: Does a starfish count?, last added: 5/30/2010
I ♥LUV♥ this dish!!!
And no, I've never seen that copy of Oz, but the cover illustration is absolutely exceptional....
Happy art!!!
XXOO~~
Anne
OMG I LOVE this as well!
Your dishes are amazing, mesmerizing!
I want to buy all your work.
♥♥♥
>M<
Really Pretty Lo! Your stores are lucky to have your work in them. Love red poppies and reminds me of an endless field of them I sat in once on a hill in Israel when I was being courted by my first husband there.
Oh how I love a poppy (the state flower of California you know.
Paperclay is so versatile - you've done something so pretty with it here.
Make sure your boss gives you a generous lunch break, with cookies, ok? :)
Cool poppy dish. I haven't seen that version of the book either - I'll have to look for it.
Oh, sweet. Love that little dish!!
HBT
A beautiful Poppy dish! I am particular to the red poppies...so lush and exotic.... a fantastic creation!
I, too, haven't seen that version of Oz....it looks wonderful!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Beautiful.. makes me think of Tuscany. No never heard of that version of OZ either.
i would put my favorite pairs of earrings in this little bowl, and i would be thankful and think of you at the same time
♥
Love Poppies, as you know! What a sweet little dish - you really are so creative Laurel! That book looks super - I would love to check it out!
Lovely little dish -
i'll have to look into that WoO book. I adore the illustrations in the original books - my favorites when i was a kid (an now)
Beautiful dish! And I haven't seen this version, either. It looks really interesting (love those poppies!). Be sure and discuss vacation time with your new boss. :)) Xox
beautiful poppy dish and illustrations. I have a number of old Wizard books from my Dad's childhood unfortunately in rather ragged shape. Mom planted red poppies in her garden and i look forward to them every year.
beautiful!! what a gorgeous little work of art. I am going to look for that book, children's books are my favorite.
i meant the dish was a work of art lo :)
very, very nice. we always used to say (and I still do) "puppies will make them sleep" instead of "poppies"
Coqueliqots just love them,hope to find them in France soon....
Been busy especially in my head ((;walked a lot with my furriend but I didn't forgot you..
xxxMar
THis is a beautiful dish Lolo. I am glad you are having a good time "working".