Dia de Bloglandia...

 

Glass Calavera bead by Melissa Clear

I ADORE!! Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, you know that....it's the Mexican holiday of honoring and remembering those that have passed.  I love the art and images, colors and traditions.  In many cultures it is taboo to talk about death, to dwell on it, but this Mexican tradition celebrates the memories and lives of loved ones. 

So...how about a Bloglandia style celebration of this holiday?  Susanna and I would like to host a Dia de los Muertos party.  Are you game?  You can create an Ofrenda, a journal page, a story, an artwork...an entire Day of the Dead celebration...anything you'd like.  Just leave a comment here and at Susanna's if you'd like to play and on Sunday, November 2nd post your photos, art and/or stories. We'll have a page of links so we can all go 'round and celebrate our art, friends and families. 

                                   

Feel free to use this button to tell others about the party.

What exactly is Dia de los Muertos?  Once a year on November 1st (for children, dia de los Inocentes)and November 2nd (All Saints Day) families build Ofrendas, alters that contain photographs, the favorite foods and drinks of the dead...clothing, marigolds....lots of marigolds, sugar skulls and other art, anything that brings to mind the one that has passed away.  The vibrant artwork depicting skeletons doing worldly things, bread shaped into skulls, garlands of marigolds are used to decorate Ofrendas, cemeteries and homes in honor and celebration of the deceased.  Need some ideas??  Read on.... 

 

This is an alter that Mr R created for his mother, father and daughter, candles are lit and it is decorated with marigolds this time of year.  It contains photographs of his parents, both as young people and as grama and grampa to Tess, a little horse to remind us of his mothers collections, pictures of John Wayne....her fav...as well as crosses and rosaries. 

 

The Lakewood Cultural Center has a Day of the Dead exhibit of work by Colorado artist Carlos Fresquez.   

 

His paintings, prints and installations honor and celebrate his family and cultural heritage.  This show is not to be missed if you happen to be in the area.

Jose Guadalupe Posada was a graphic artist in the late 1800's that wrote and illustrated for newspapers and political satire.  After his death his work was re-discovered and is credited with inspiring images for Dia de los Muertos and has since inspired many artists.

A journal page I created for Mr R's mom and my 2 grandmothers...

I hope you ALL join the party!  Remember to leave me a comment here then go on over to Susanna's and leave her a comment as well so we can begin adding links....now go off and create and post on Sunday, November 2nd.

Comments

[Art Tea Life]

ooo yes yes yes !

thank you for getting us going early enough too.

oh it's going to be SO GREAT.

[Du Buh Du Designs]

Should I use your blog link or Suzanna's when I add the button to my blog?

[Laume]

We've celebrated Dia de Los Muertos for many years - I'd love to join the Bloglandia celebration.

[A Fanciful Twist]

Miss S,

I grew up with this day looping its way in and out of my world. A very real part of it. Seeing as how I am from and also embrace my Mexican culture....

I would looove to join, and adore your love for it!! I wish you could be here for the Dia de Los Muertos parades and what not...

I AM totally up for it!! xoxo, V

[Monica Magness]

Steph,

count me in!

I only wish I still had the photos I took during my days in El Paso, TX ...Dia de los Muertos festival with skeletons walking the earth and CELEBRATIONS going on till the wee hour.

I'm so looking forward to this!

~monica

[cat]

I think I will try this. Sounds like a wonderful way to honor my parents.

[Leau]

Let's see, do I have to think about this? I have to be a part of this and how fun of you guys to think this up! I have lots of things to choose from for this, lots and lots. And woohoo! I get to see the exhibit in Lakewood when I come next week. Thanks for sharing that as well. Love, love this time of year. smooches

[Christy]

My son and I just checked out two books from the library to learn about the Day of the Dead. He is going to do a little homeschool project about it. I discovered Dia de Bloglandia through another blog. This will be a perfect format to display his work!

[Paris Parfait]

What a brilliant idea! I can't play, as I'll be traveling too much, but I will come back to see all the scrumptious contributions. Mr. R's altar is very special. (And I LOVE the story about the Obama sign appearing in your yard). xoxox

[Dymphied]

How fun, I will play :)

[Jenny F]

Qué buena idea. Es un gran día que amo mucho en mi corazón. Gracias por recibirlo.

[Karen Cole]

Ok, ok....twist my arm.

LOVE this idea. You two are such party animals. Will there be a great deal of kitchen dancing?? I will be having my knee scoped on the 30th of Oct. so I won't be able to dance but you can be sure I will post something, my friend.

gracias mi amiga.

Beautiful work you have done here.xxoo

[Lisa Hoffman]

Whoa....
Deep bow of Thanks for the intro to Carlos...and how COOL that he's in Denver!!!......I'm feeling a Hoffman-Hilvitz-Meneley Field Trip coming on....

Great idea for the Dios celebration. We'll have sugar skulls and more popping up around Casa Hoffman.....

[elsa]

this is a wonderful idea steph-count me in. i would love to share the alter we created for our sunshine.

[AscenderRisesAbove]

ps; i love that your husband created an alter to his mother; and your tribute to mom-in-law at the bottom is lovely as well