Sunday Simulacra - Version 5.33

Today's skulls are metal...

The great skull finder, Tom Adams, found these two skull on "both ends of a Ford engine oil pick-up screen."

Henry Ryder found this "USB looking more like a monster than usual."

Keep sending those pictures in to our submissions address. Just keep in mind that since we only post simulacra once a week it might take a little longer than normal for it to be posted.

Skull Face

Hurry up and catch this skull before it fades away. Dale Grimshaw is the creator of this fading figure who writes, "I came across your site and thought I'd submit an image of mine. I have done several paintings or woodcut prints with a skull theme. Anyway, I've attached 'Skull Face' which is oil and woodcut print on paper."



Dissolving, disintegrating, disappearing into the nothing that is the afterlife.
Vacating, vanishing, vamoosing from our presence forever.
Preserved, protected, and put up on our site to live on for your enjoyment.
Thanks for bringing us face to face with your skull, Dale!

“Countdown To Halloween”
27 more days and counting...

Inner Light Skull

There are lots of people seeking inner light in the world today. A light that fills our minds with peaceful thoughts. I felt like Raffaele Piacente of Milan, Italy captured it well with his personal skull oil on canvas.



Maybe this comes off as a realistic jack-o-lantern to you, but I couldn't help but see it differently. If we peel away the outer layers of our physical existence then all we have left are our thoughts, ideas, and memories. It brings me comfort to think of all of this as the inner light that warms our souls with a knowledge that makes us more than mere animals. A knowledge that makes us human. Grazie for the great work, Raffaele!

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway
To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: what thoughts make your skull light up. Of course I usually think of my family, but a sunny afternoon with friends, a juicy bratwurst on the grill, and an Oberon will always brighten my day.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Dark Message Skull

"we pray to the fire as the flames lap the moon
such madness could turn the happiest of man
the tombs we protect are dark and Grey
the color of love
a twisted descent as the stars scream with implosion
no mercy for the living only in death we rest
a bitter smile on the faces of our skulls
the object of obsession" -Elkayem



Elkayem was inspired by the Agents Of Oblivion album to paint this skull and write this bit of free verse. The dark messages of the doom metal must have been a major persuasion for the infernal-ish background. The realistic details add to the gruesomeness. Perhaps this painting, along with metal music, is a grim reminder of how our skulls end up. Perhaps it's a good reminder to enjoy each day and make them your own. Thanks, Elkayem!

Edible Skulls

Stu from Sacramento, CA sent us this pair of skull. He wrote: “Glad I found your site through Dudecraft, I knew I had taken these pictures for some reason, I just didn't know what. Enjoy!”



Salad C says:

Now this truly is a pair we could really sink our teeth into. For some odd reason, mushrooms seem to be a natural skull material, it must the contrast of light and dark that does it, or maybe it is that some mushrooms can actually kill you that leads us here. We need to thank our friend Dudecraft for sending you our way. Thank you for taking the time to submit your skulls, and keep us in mind during your next meal time.

“Countdown To Halloween”
18 more days and counting...

"Slap You" Skull

Straight out of Utica, NY comes David Cahill and his excellent oil painting on panel titled "If I could reach you I would slap you".



I totally like the extra stuff included in this piece because I have owned all of them. From what I've seen here the only slap you need is a pat on the back. Thanks for the great piece and flashback.

Send To Phone

Duplicity Skull

Graphic designer Paige Weber of Boise, Idaho painted this excellent skull titled "Duplicity". It's oil on canvas.



This is a great piece, Paige. I can't help but think of the movie "A Christmas Story" when they keep saying "you'll shoot your eye out". I guess it's hard to keep the eyes in a skull without the tissue anyway.

Don't forget Skull-A-Day readers that today is October 1st and this officially starts the "Countdown To Halloween". Just 30 more days and counting....

Send To Phone

Still Life Skulls

"Hi there!", writes Jessica Geist in Charlottesville, "Just heard about your project from a mutual friend and I love it! My dad and I have always taken home and cleaned up animal skulls that we find on hikes. Attached is a still life I did in oil stick and oil pastel featuring a small part of our collection (and some other natural souvenirs)."



Wonderful work, Jessica. The soft colors make the skulls seem very passive as if the animals died a natural death, like we hope they did. Kudos for bringing them back to life for us!

333. Oil on Linen Skull

Oil Paint on Linen Canvas (12in x 12in [30.5cm x 30.5cm]). I found this lovely stretched linen canvas at the art store the other day and it inspired me to give oil painting another go. This was painted from life and my goal was to work somewhat loose.

285. Oil Paint Skull

Oil Paint on Panel, Wet (6in x 6in [15.24cm x 15.24cm]). I haven't done an oil painting since I was a kid. I can see why so many people like to do a painting a day, it was incredibly satisfying! I think I may have to do more before the year is up.

120. Found Skull #3: Oil & Vinegar

I was casting about for today's skull when happily one revealed itself to me in the remnants of my olive oil and balsamic vinegar at dinner. Below my interpretation in charcoal...

BONUS: As I was working with the original photo I noticed a creepy image in the right "eye". This is an actual unedited close-up (seriously this isn't Photoshop trickery)...