The story behind "Samhain Parade Catrina" a enchanting captivating artwork piece.

Many cultures celebrate the spiritual journey of their ancestors, honoring those who passed down knowledge and traditions. It's a time for family and friends to come together and remember their loved ones who have departed. Many cultures honor their ancestors' spiritual journey, but for me, the Mexican Day of the Dead stands out. It's a time for families and friends to gather and remember their loved ones who have passed.

For me, the Mexican Day of the Dead is the most vibrant celebration of all. It's a colorful festival of life, where Catrinas and sugar skulls adorn altars dedicated to the deceased, complete with their favorite foods, drinks, and bright marigolds.

On this day, altars are set up in memory of the deceased, filled with their favorite foods and drinks, decorated with bright colored marigolds and sugar skulls representing their souls. These sugar skulls are also placed on their graves as offerings.

Although I'm not of Mexican heritage, their love for their departed inspired me. In gratitude and to honor my own ancestors, who passed down the knowledge I use in my mixed media creations, I've painted several skull canvases in their favorite colors.

Why Samhain Parade Catrina?

I was created this inspiring artwork by a prompt and a call to artist that was going to be held at the City Arts Gallery Orlando where it was first exhibited in 2017

Here I describe in short explanations the different components of the artwork's title.

• Samhain— a name that originates in the ancient Celtic traditions— is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, traditionally observed from sunset on October 31 to sunset on November 1

• Parade- I envision My Catrina as joining a parade of souls, while visiting when the line where life and death blurs.

• Catrina Other elements: She confidently walked through life, spreading knowledge, symbolized by the flower of life on her chin. Her kindness and cheer are painted in the two orange flowers around her nose, and the green heart on her forehead shows her desire for peace, growth, and love for herself and others. Her light purple hair is moved by the calming breeze as her playful spirit is crossing the boundary between the living and the dead.

My husband always tries to convince me to sell the original Samhain Parade Catrina every year as I bring her to different day of the dead exhibits, but I can't let it go. I'm emotionally bonded to the artwork. This artwork represents so many important life achievements for me. It's one of a few my favorite pieces that I keep for myself

Thanks for checking out this blog post. Here's the video link—I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating this piece.

Have fun and create!

Who Created Catrina Concept

The concept of the Catrina image was created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada, a printmaker and lithographer of the early 20th century. His depiction of "La Calavera Garbancera" portraited a satirical figure mocking wealthy Mexicans who rejected their indigenous heritage in favor of European fashions. It was published in 1913, when it appeared in a satiric broadside (a newspaper-sized sheet of paper) as a photo-relief etching. Then other renowned artists of the century, paired with Posada, promoted and made this image an icon of "La Calavera Garbancera." The Catrina became central to the Mexican identity. The Calavera was already a well established tradition in Mexico but the Catrina became popularized after the reign of the dictator Porfirio Díaz came to an end, as a satirical work.

Attribution By Veltresnas wikimedia commons

Painting Samhain Parade Catrina

I made a fun home video and thought I'd share it with you. Check out the Samhain Parade Catrina by clicking the link below.