"But do cats eat bats, I wonder?"

       Another project has sprung itself into the foreground. This time it is an interpretation on the story of little Alice. Alice Liddell that is, the young girl with which Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (better known as author Lewis Carroll) found himself intrigued with. Just Google or click on their names to find out more about the controversy that was associated with their relationship. I have always found myself drawn to the original stories of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, even though in all honesty they totally freak me out. The story has been changed, shaped, and morphed through the years and I still find myself attracted to the original renditions. The first "Alice" film created was made in 1903. It has a dark ambiance that I personally love and am hoping to replicate.

UPDATE: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

After round two of edits....

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Work has began on a new side project. I finally decided to participate in submissions at Studio 659, located in Whiting, Indiana. At this small gallery, one of my dearest friends, Karissa Herbst, shows her work quite regularly.

With this theme, I really couldn't resist. The call for art asks specifically for art that glorifies the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday. A little from Wikipedia:

Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday. The celebration takes place on November 1st and 2nd, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2). Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

I instantly pictured a very large scale elaborately decorated skull.  I have began scanning in interesting textures and objects. The construction has begun and I am planning on using dried flowers that I have kept from funerals. The process should be very tedious and therapeutic for me since I love PhotoShop and I am building the whole image piece by piece. Here is a sneak peek...

After round 1...

 

I would love a  40x40 printed version of this one. I will be posting progress....there is so much to be done! I bid you adieu, now back to PhotoShop! 

Come Experience Strange Beauty.....

STRANGE BEAUTY SHOW

When:

August 13th, 7PM

Where:

1118 North Ashland Ave 

Chicago, IL 60622

(773) 252-9522

 Join Us for a night of Photography, Music, and Free Booze! My fellow photo buddies and myself will be featured in the August Gallery show at Strange Beauty Show, located in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. Strange Beauty Show is salon that features the work of different artists with gallery events held for each artist.

This show is non themed and will have work from my housewife series titled "To Sweep or not to Sweep". All pieces will be for sale...Come purchase some original artwork or just look and get tipsy!