Day of the Dead Art

Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a cultural holiday observed on November 1st and 2nd in Mexico, Central America, and the American Southwest. It is a day to celebrate and remember those who have passed on. In direct contrast to the somber Memorial Day holiday that is observed in the majority of the US, Day of the Dead is spent enjoying the memories of the dead with picnics at the grave sites and humorous and brightly colored folk art and food.

I've been interested in the Day of the Dead since first reading about it in Ray Bradbury short stories. My family's business was making gravestones and Memorial Day was the most stressful day of the year. Between the two it always seemed to me that the Latino culture had the right idea about death.

Fast forward 30 years and I've become friends with a local Day of the Dead artist, Denise Alvarado, also known as Voodoomama. Now that I've seen the art up close and personal I've fallen in love with it.

I'm something of a trend spotter and I think Day of the Dead art is something to start collecting as I see it's popularity growing, yet there are not that many artists out there producing it. Yet.

Day of the Dead on Squidoo

The creation of an Ofrenda, the Day of the Dead altar, is an art form in and of itself.
Everything you need to get started with making your own can be found here:
Ofrenda

Making your own Day of the Dead arts and crafts is the best way to honor your loved ones.
La Catrina Cigar Box Altar
Day of the Dead Skull Banner
Mexican Paper Flowers