La Muerta

"La Muerta" is part of a series of paintings I created for a "Dia De Los Muertos" or "Day of the Dead" exhibition in Los Angeles.

This rich traditional holiday is primarily celebrated in Mexico, but has caught on in America as an alternative to Halloween. The ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures conceived of death as being a sacred and mystical passage and when conquering Spanish Christians introduced "All Soul's Day," the Mexican people embraced the holiday with their hearts. Using Christian symbols and Aztec vision, it is a synthesis of cross-cultural belief, superstition, faith and devotion. The Vatican, by the way, does not endorse Day of the Dead.

Day of the dead is often called "Mexican Halloween" but in fact it represents the OPPOSITE of Halloween.

Day of the Dead imagines an evening where our deceased relatives actually come home to party with their loved ones back on Earth. The dead are depicted in art not as zombies or ghosts, but as kind skeletons, happily going about their business, just existing in an alternate world. Families create altars in cemeteries and in homes, upon which are placed marigold flowers, photos and favorite food or drink of the deceased. Sugar skulls, hand-made art objects and lit candles create an atmosphere of playful humor and respectful reverence.

The Butterfly symbolizes transformation and rebirth, and it is often used in artistic motifs.

This painting is seven feet tall.