paintings

By Juan and Carolina, a charming mask celebrates Day of the Dead in Central America. The artisans carve the face from pinewood and paint it by hand with floral motifs. Playful and flirty, this petite and pretty skeleton scares no one.

Crafted of ceramic, a grinning skull lights up any space with this tealight holder from Mexico. Eufrosia Pantaleon designs the holder, painting the skull by hand with colourful floral motifs. Elegant openwork at the petals provides spaces where the light shines through.

Mexico's Day of the Dead festivities are unlike any other country's, but skulls are part of the national shared imagery and are a favorite subject for artisans all year. After this hand carved copal wood skull from Jesus and Roxana Hernandez of the Mexican state of Oaxaca is covered in navy blue paint with tiny sky blue dots, it is further decorated on the tops and sides with circles containing geometric figures and curving lines. Yellow, black, green, purple, and pink tones are utilized to hand paint the fanciful designs. Around the blackened eye sockets are outlines in yellow and red; the nasal cavity is delineated in purple. Two straight rows of white teeth give the skull a sober expression.

For All Saints Day and All Souls Day, November 1 and 2, Mexico remembers and honors loved ones who have passed away. Traditionally, a vigil is kept in the cemeteries with flowers, prayers, candles, food and drink, while displays are often set up in the home with photographs, candles, and colorful skulls made of white sugar. Working in ceramic, Alejandra Aceves pays tribute to this tradition. The Mexican artist transfers her original signed painting of sugar skulls onto a colorful mug for your favorite hot beverage.

Sporting a macaw on each shoulder and flowers in her hair, this elegant Catrina statuette is a magnificent addition to any space. Luis Morales in Mexico crafts the exquisite sculpture by hand from ceramic, painting it in meticulous detail. The elegant figure is based on a satirical etching created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada around 1910-1913. With his etching, Posada poked fun at those Mexican natives who tried to emulate the fashion and habits of the European aristocracy. Today, la Catrina has become the instantly recognizable icon of Día de los Muertos (Mexico's Day of the Dead).

Turned out in her Sunday finest including picture hat and parasol, this catrina from Luis Morales will add color and culture to any place she is displayed. Formed by hand from clay, her ostentatious ensemble is carefully painted in aqua, blue, purple and silver hues. The elegant figure is based on a satirical etching created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada around 1910-1913. With his etching, Posada poked fun at those Mexican natives who tried to emulate the fashion and habits of the European aristocracy. Today, la Catrina has become the instantly recognizable icon of Día de los Muertos (Mexico's Day of the Dead).