THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED! Thanks for participating!
Nicholas Ivins is a self-employed artist and illustrator. His artwork encompasses a wide variety of subject matter, but one of his favorite subjects is Day of the Dead.Nicholas wants to share his love of Dia de los Muertos love with our Skull-A-Day fans. He is giving away 3 candles and one print to one lucky fan!
PRIZE INFO: A prize pack including one matted and signed 8"x10" print, and three candles featuring Nicholas' Dia de los Muertos artwork.
HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment below answering, what is your favorite part of Dia de los Muertos?
CONTACT INFO: If you win, we need to contact you. With your comment, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL. Entries are only valid with this information.
WHERE TO ENTER: All entries must be made on this blog post, on Skull-A-Day.com. You can NOT enter this contest by commenting on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.
CONTEST CLOSES: 11:59:59 PM Eastern Standard Time Wednesday, November 21st, 2012.
NUMBER OF WINNERS: One
PRIZE SHIPS: To US or International
IF YOU DON'T WIN: Nicholas Ivins' artwork can be purchased on his website, in his Etsy shop, and around various events in California.
Nicholas Ivins is a self-employed artist and illustrator. His artwork encompasses a wide variety of subject matter, but one of his favorite subjects is Day of the Dead.
IF YOU DON'T WIN: Nicholas Ivins' artwork can be purchased on his website, in his Etsy shop, and around various events in California.
i love everything about dia de los muertos.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of it...that we get one day a year with the people we have loved and lost. It's beautiful and cathartic.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I admire the history and meaning of the day, I love the creativity of people celebrating the day.
ReplyDeletelindsaybabroski@aol.com
I LOVE Los Dias de los Muertes because it's so very RICH in color and beauty and most of all my culture!!! I'ma proud latina and the fact that so many people are truly enamored by something that my own people have been observing for many, many years brings tears to my eyes~
ReplyDeleteViva la raza!!!!
My favorite part of Dia De Los Muertos is being able to celebrate our loved ones that have passed on. Being able to show that they are still in our thoughts and that we love them is amazing and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteshanelmsilva@gmail.com
I love sharing memories of our departed loved ones. Hearing pieces of your family history and untold stories.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite reason for recognizing Día de Los Muertos is that we're celebrating and honoring those we've lost as opposed to mourning them...
ReplyDeleteSugar Skulls, though I have never actually had one D: They do look good XP
ReplyDeleteZyg0na@yahoo.com
I love the celebration of life + death. You cannot have one without the other. It's not about sadness, it's a celebration of loved ones.
ReplyDeleteangel.nickens@gmail.com
quite honestly, i love the artwork associated with it the most...
ReplyDeleteginamink@gmail.com
Obviously being a skull fan, I like the skulls, but I really love the brightness and positive vibe of the Dia de Los Muertos.
ReplyDeleteApparently the reason is unanimous! I think the best part of Dia De Los Muerte is the celebration rather than mourning the loss of loved ones who have passed. I think its much healthier to relive positive areas of life to heal those who are grieving rather than dwelling on the loss itself. Its a day to celebrate ALL who have passed so that no one is ever forgotten!
ReplyDeleteebrown110307@gmail.com
My favorite part of Dia De Los Muertos is how it helps to kick off a season of reverence for our past ancestors and loved ones not only in Mexican culture but in cultures around the world that celebrate those have already passed on. In Coast Salish culture, this is the kickoff of our "burning season" where we burn food for the ancestors.
ReplyDeleteostwelve@gmail.com
I love having a day to honor those who went before me, so beautifully. The beauty of death, I think, that's evident in the dia de los muertos art. That's my favorite thing.
ReplyDeleteLisa Fraire girlfraire2@yahoo.com
I love all the rituals, specially Pan de Muerto. Plus the most important thing; remembering your loved ones... Flowers, food, candies, dresses, makeups... In the name of La Santa Muerte.
ReplyDeleteEmail: torobrenda@gmail.com
the artistry of this culter has grown more and more, there are different styles to it and somehow it comes together quite lovely. thats what amazes me about that culture.
ReplyDeletevega_louisa@yahoo.com
i like the artwork and the skeletons.
ReplyDeletevzriggins@gmail.com
I think my favorite part of Dia de los Muertos is the beauty it portrays. I love the way people dress up and do their makeup, the alters they make for lost friends and family, and most importantly the memories that you share with people about the ones you've lost.
ReplyDeletemisseyescreamcone@gmail.com
I would *love* to win this!
ReplyDeleteMy email is j3ngar@comcast.net
Beautiful dia de los muertos prints - I would love these candles - they would sit on my alter :)
ReplyDeleteffelkat@gmail.com
Nov 2 is also my birthday. Love skull art!!
ReplyDeletemy favorite part of dia de los muertos is the meaning of that special day, celebrating the deads that are still alive in our hearts...
ReplyDeleteceline.cloud45@gmail.com
from France ^^
It's my Dad's birthday for one reason, and I love how we celebrate death in brilliant colors...cliches are removed for the day, no dismal dreary death and mourning but a celebration of color, life, and family. It teaches me not to be afraid of death, but to remember that it is another colorful journey on our path to enlightenment. Celebrate life and family and above all else...LOVE! :)
ReplyDeletetonyabrady557@gmail.com
I like the creativity people put in to their altars and dress. The concept of celebrating deceased loved ones is something special and not to be ignored in lieu of all the beautiful decorations.
ReplyDeleteI love the ideas and colours x
ReplyDeletesandraryman@googlemail.com
The Art.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of Dia de los Muertos is turning a negative (death, skulls/skeletons) into a positive by celebrating life and remembering those we have lost. Skulls and skeletons, especially festive, colorful ones, make me smile and want to dance!
ReplyDeletelara at larakretler dot com
I have been entranced by the rich history of dia de los muertos for years. Attending the festivals, I enjoy the colorful decorations, creative face paintings, beautiful flowers in the ladies hair, authentic music and foods; I love it all. My home is decorated with small mementos of festivities I was able to enjoy in the years prior.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of celebrating, remembering and reuniting with the spirits of whom we have lost is one that touches the very core of humanity; it is every grieving persons wish.
Email: chelseystrong@gmail.com
I love that the symbol is The skull or Spanish Calavera, and it is a day to celebrate life while honouring deceased loved ones.
ReplyDeletepygmyinpink@gmail.com
I love everything about this day. But the best thing is the art work. Love all the skulls.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of making light out of something dark; seeing the beauty and celebrating it.
ReplyDeletexo.cs.xo@gmail.com
Celebration all around! I was first drawn to the event by all the gorgeous artwork. Then I started attending my local Dia de los Muertos events every year. And now even my children attend with me. They like to dress up and check out all the alters. We have fun picking out our favorites. I think we put more time and effort into celebrating Dia de los Muertos than we do Halloween!
ReplyDeleteThe celebration of beautiful things and rememberance of all the beautiful things with a loved one who is no longer here on earth but some place else that is beautiful. Dia de los muertos shows celebration of all loved ones and celebration of where they are now. And most importantly FAMILY LOVE.
ReplyDeleteManzanaresa2@gmail.com
I love celebrating the dead in a beautiful way!
ReplyDeleteSkulls, skulls, skulls!!!!! And the amazing colourful and creative costumes!!
ReplyDeletetaragrude@gmail.com
these are beautiful! really unique! its very difficultbto get quality art of this nature in the UK. samyreynolds@aol.com
ReplyDeleteWe Mexicans know how to party and we even make a time of sadness into something beautiful and joyful. That's my favorite part of Dia de los Muertos!
ReplyDeleteI see alot of beauty in dark things. When its brought out, its even brighter and more beautiful. falloutpryncess@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteNull60645@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIt's gotta be the skulls - they are so beautiful!
ReplyDeletelucyandduffy@hotmail.com
I'm 37 yrs old and barely celebrated DIA DE LOS MUERTOS for the first time this year! I took my nieces to a celebration at a local park and decided we would make this a tradition!!! I just loved the whole atmosphere! I was beautiful with all the bright colors, music, shrines, face paintings and best of all I loved spending time with my nieces!!!! I love giving them that first time experience that comes our way and the DIA DE LOD MUERTOS celebration was a very nice and awesome experience for all of us!! :)
ReplyDeleteNull60645@gmail.com
The respect for the dead... it is my favorite part
ReplyDeleteChecking out Skull-A-Day for photos of awesome makeup and costumes!
ReplyDeleteI love Dia de los muertos,the sugar skulls,marigolds,the colors...and it's a holiday:the day of the dead!we can remember friends and family members who have died.
ReplyDeletepamelatheprincess@gmail.com
My favorite part is getting to celebrate lost loved ones.. I'm so glad that DDLM is gaining more recognition and is being celebrated more ;) Awesome candles!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about dia do los muertos but especially the costumes!
ReplyDeleteI like the flowers (marigolds) and the skulls. pugsleymcgooATsbcglobalDOTnet
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part in when they exhume the bodies of their loved ones to join them for the day. I haven't found any evidence of this practice but i love the idea. I think it is a beautiful and necessary reminder that death is always around and is our inevitable end. I like the fact that they have been able to remove the fear and anxieties of death by celebrating it as a wonderful part of life. Not to mention i love how the style of a candy skull has become popular here within the last few years.
ReplyDeletehaleycsernetics@gmx.com
I love the fact that people prepare a meal to their loved ones who are dead in order to have them come over and have a family dinner with them. I feel this part of the event makes people cope with their grief and feel connected to the ones they are not physically around.
ReplyDeletecynthiavannesarueda@gmail.com
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ReplyDeleteI like the pagentry of it. I also like the fact it is about connecting with those who have gone before us honoring them. I light a candle for my father every Halloween through Dia De Los Muertos
ReplyDeletecaptjustinkase@aol.com
I love everything about dia de los muertos!!!! From it's rituals and traditions to the art and festivals. I am very happy to see more people recognizing this as the clebration it is. roxysinz@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteIt's rich and vibrant, and a complete dichotomy to the European way of mourning; the diversity is beautiful.
ReplyDeletemari.mortem@gmail.com
My ole lady and I love dia de los muertos!!! We just love how it is celebrated! If I was to win I would give them to my ole lady as a surprise gift!
ReplyDeleteMy absolute favorite part about Dia De Los Muertos is the bright colors and the orange marigolds. It creates a stunning display of bright colors, which is not commonly associated with the departed.
ReplyDeletedr.chesire@gmail.com
How can a person pick just ONE highlight of Dia de Los Muertos?!?! I guess mine would be decorating the sugar skulls, eating the sugar skulls, and painting my face like a sugar skull - it's the SUGAR SKULL TRIFECTA, FTW
ReplyDeleteOops, forgot my email: firewerksdesign@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love all the vibrant colors and artwork that surrounds this celebration. The respect for life and the transition to death. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDzynmkr@yahoo.com
The Frida Kahlo references.
ReplyDeleteceb214@psu.edu
I love the beautiful skulls!
ReplyDeletewisconsincrazy@yahoo.com
OK, been with you since Ellen, first time doing this. Couldn't pass up, would make a great gift for my son and his lady.
ReplyDeleterobertthew@yahoo.com
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ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of Dia de los Muertos is that it really is a celebration of LIFE! Color, flavors, feelings....Love, Joy, Friendship...ALL of it is to remind us that though we miss those who have gone beyond this place and time, we honor the time we had with them in the here and now...and continue to honor them by enjoying the sweetness of LIFE in the shadow of Death...
ReplyDeletesoto.adelina@gmail.com
I love the history behind each family celebrating- and the bright colors and sugar skulls!
ReplyDeletescrappypug at gmail dot com
thanks!
I think it's a great way to remember those we loved and lost, which also serves as inspiration for some amazing art work, such as these awesome candles!
ReplyDeleteThe colors and all the flowers! Everything's just so bright and festive for such a morbid holiday...I love it!
ReplyDeleteallybecker@gmail.com
Everything!
ReplyDeleteivanomalavolta@libero.it
I wish people here celebrated Dia De Los Muertos, the festivities look so fun.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the HAPPINESS going on in Mexico on Dia de Los Muertos ! Its mystery and colors too ! And I LOVE your art, Nicholas Ivins !!!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a vibrant beautiful celebration to honor our loved ones passing, joyful instead of mournful (if that's even a word :)
ReplyDeletebibimazoon@yahoo.com
beautiful work!
ReplyDeletehello@superfantasticawesome.com
Awesome sauce! DDLM is one of my most favorite days and ideas! Edriana.hill@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteEveryone I love is dead
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the holiday is the idea of celebration when the deceased's spirit comes to join us for a day. There are no scary undertones, but rather feelings of of welcoming and paying tribute.
ReplyDeletefor me it´s incredible that something traditional can be so stylish!
ReplyDeleteI like all of the figurines and artwork.
ReplyDeleteI love learning about different cultures and this has to be one of the most interesting celebrations I have ever learned of. My favourite aspect of Dias de los Muertes is how its such a great way to commemorate and show respect for our loved ones that have left this world for the next.
ReplyDeletesam.jackson0263@gmail.com
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ReplyDeleteTo memorialize relatives and friends who have died means a lot to me.
ReplyDeletemissalimcd@gmail.com
I love a separate day where EVERYONE stops and thinks about those who have come before. We have such busy lives, and not everyone has time to think of those who are gone, this is that day!
ReplyDeleteI love all colors colors and colors again for these days.
ReplyDeletegraphimax@free.fr
It's fun to keep traditions alive. I'm not religious but there is something peaceful and spiritual about dia de los muertos and I feel like I can participate without needing to be extremely religious. It's the best way to pay homage to the loved ones we've all lost. Skulls, flowers, candles, mexican food-- YES x4!
ReplyDeleteOops, thepunkrocksockhop@hotmail.com is my e-mail.
ReplyDeleteI love all things about Dia de Los Muertos, but my favorite has to be the brightly colored sugar skulls.
ReplyDeletemomma2zed@yahoo.com
We lived in Mexico for about a year. One day we noticed that everything was turning into skulls and skeletons and we wondered what in the world was going on. That's when we discovered Day of the Dead. We fell in love with the holiday and every November 3 since then we hold a Day of the Dead dinner party. We have a centerpiece surrounded by marigolds, a proper altar and dozens of homemade sugar skulls. Dinner includes things like lamb steamed in banana leaves and served with drunken sauce, stuffed poblanos with creamed walnut sauce and pomegranates and corn pudding with roasted poblano sauce. Our last Day of the Dead dinner was just two weeks ago and it was the best one yet! http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3804584675877.138209.1315183121&type=3&viewas=1315183121
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, thank you for sharing your light! ranchozen@gmail.com
ReplyDelete...what is your favorite part of Dia de los Muertos?
ReplyDeleteThe Muertos, of course!
the mythology of it all. the fact that they celebrate their dead and leave offerings of their favorite foods and such, unlike the states where we bury our dead and just hope they don't come back again.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of celebrating the dead,its a beautiful day
ReplyDeletetattoosbymari@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love the bright colors and religious dark side of dia de los muertos. I use these themes in much of my own artwork!!
I love that El Dia de Los Muertos depicts the dead in an earthy way. They are skeletons, not spirits, and they are shown wearing fine hats and jewelry, and driving grand cars, dancing, and engaging in the pleasures of wine or cigars. The images of the day are comic with just a touch of satire. It is as if to say to our beloved dead, "You are still with us in everyday life."
ReplyDeletebutterflydreaming@gmail.com
The eyes have some sort of look of deceit or like they just did something wrong. Our would like to do something wrong. You can look into them and try to figure it out.......
ReplyDeleteThe festive way to embrace DEATH.
ReplyDeleteenvidenefelibata@yzonk.com
The beautiful facepainted women.
ReplyDeletedixon_r_s@yahoo.com
I love the idea of celebrating the dead,its a beautiful day
ReplyDeleteanto93pa@gmail.com
I live in Tucson where we celebrate All Souls Day with a huge procession. Me and 25,000 of my friends dress up and march through the city in remembrance of our departed culminating in a huge fire finale where we burn our wishes and prayers. It's awesome. robin west
ReplyDeleteheaphywest@gmail.com
Rad Art. That, AND it's way better than that pesky Easter, when we're supposed to celebrate the supposed resurrection of someone from the dead.
ReplyDeletetallgirl666@hotmail.com
I love that Day of the Dead offers everyone a way to remove the fear of death and the pain of loss by showing us how the celebration of the beloved deceased is also a celebration of life itself.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed by the artistry of the altars, costumes, masks, skulls. I wish I could draw sugar skulls like they do! The altars have some of the most amazing objet d' arte in them...I could live in one!!!
ReplyDeleteI have an appreciation and gratefulness for cultures that make a point to honor and celebrate those who have passed as well as remembering the teachings that are passed through the generations.
ReplyDeletecrimeclean@austin.rr.com
The artwork, the colour, the imagery and idea of helping guide a spirit back to this realm and providing comfort for them upon their return.
ReplyDeleteDespite not being a religious person, I have a huge amount of respect for 'Día de los Muertos', the idea of celebrating a life and paying homage to the departed by remembering their favourite things is a lovely comforting and positive part of life
badgemakesart@yahoo.co.uk
My favorite part is the fact that the Día de los Muertos began as a subversive way to keep indigenous practices alive while appearing to practice Catholicism :)
ReplyDeletelynnewalter@hotmail.com
Making sugar skulls with my kids.
ReplyDeleteThese would be a perfect addition to my altar!!!!! <3 tl.harris@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love the thought that family is most important. That we should celebrate those we have loved's lives. It makes me feel closer to family members I have never met excuse of the stories guarantee told about them. The family bonds that brings us close are strengthened on this day! Sagesill@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love the positive nature of memorializing our loved ones who have passed.
ReplyDeleteI love the creepiness and color! I have two sugar skulls tattooed on my shoulders and I look like a fake Mexican, that's how much I love DDLM.
ReplyDeleteI love day of the dead because La calavera looks like my old girlfriend :)
ReplyDelete