The Skulls of Human Kindness

Photo by Ansel Olson.

I recently had the pleasure of co-teaching a workshop with the amazing Patience Salgado AKA Kindnessgirl as part of the Shop Class program here in Richmond, VA. Our class was titled The Skulls of Human Kindness and was designed to be a mash-up of our two aesthetics and done in the spirit of our mutual interest in creating real connection through the practice of making and sharing art. For this class we focused on one big question: "What is one thing you know to be absolutely true in your bones?" We asked participants to answer this in a variety of ways and ended the workshop with a call to action. Each person was required to decorate a skull we provided and then add a tag with two things: a truth that they wanted to share with other people and the statement, "What is the #TruthInYourBones?" They were then given 24 hours to leave that skull in a public place and document and share it via their favorite social media platforms. The workshop was a really wonderful and moving experience and we hope you'll take up the challenge as well. Please comment below or post online with the hashtag #TruthInYourBones and let us know what one thing you know to be true in your own bones. Don't think to hard about it, just do it!

And if you'd like Patience and I to bring this workshop to your business or group reach out to us through the The Alternative Speakers Bureau. 

p.s. The truth in my bones: Everyone is faking it.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Photo by Ansel Olson.

Modern Hieroglyphics Magazine

I'm honored to be featured in the premiere issue of Modern Hieroglyphics magazine! Here are a few sample spreads from the 17 page(!) article that features several pieces from the original Skull-A-Day project as well as some of my newer works. There are also nine other fantastic artists featured in this gorgeously designed publication. See more and pick-up your own copy HERE. 

Skull-A-Day 2007–2014

Thanks to everyone who has followed and contributed to the Skull-A-Day project over the past seven years! After such a wonderful run we've decided to transition the site from an active community to an archive of the project from June of 2007 to July of 2014. It's been an absolutely incredible experience and I can't thank you enough for supporting this project for so long.

This project would have never lasted as long as it did if it wasn't for the tireless work of the three über-fans turned editors: Citizen Agent, Justin "Tatman" Lovorn, and Abby Davis. So a huge kudos must go to the three of them. Be sure to check out Abby's blog and Justin's store to support their other endeavors.

While we will no longer be accepting submissions I will still be posting my own skull art here periodically as well as news related to the new Skull-A-Day book from Chop Suey Books Books (coming October 2014!). You can pre-order a copy today HERE.

Thanks again!
–Noah Scalin