Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a celebration of the spiritual journey of loved ones who have passed on before us. The celebration includes the construction of an alter (also called an ofrenda). Colorful sugar skull, or Calaveras, are often included in the ofrenda.
This was an exciting pattern for me to work on as a riot of color is very much part of the Dia de los Muertos celebration. And, each year, I create an ofrenda in my shop window in Albuquerque Old Town.
As usual, I started with a sketch of a skeleton that I recreated in my graphics design software. I also collected some watercolor floral elements. Followers of Dia de los Muertos like to believe that ancestors travel from their place of burial to their family homes. Cheery, strongly scented marigolds help them follow the way to their ofrenda.
Next, I chose one of my most colorful patterns, “Fireworks” to pain the skull.
Not satisfied with that amount of color, I created four additional versions of the skull filled with some of my other favorite patterns:
From left to right: “Marigolds”, “Santa Fe Trail”, “Taos Nights” and “Milky Way.
After lots of layering and combining with floral elements and some background texture, here is my final pattern: a cheerful, colorful collection of calaveras and flowers to help celebrate this amazing holiday.
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