"Beauty in Darkness" Skulls

You might recall that a few months back, Tim Tindall, shared his painting "Beauty in Darkness". Since then, he's reworked the painting, adding more depth to the skulls and foliage. As an artist, I totally understand going back to a piece and redoing parts of it. Often I stare at a piece for days, to the point of being dissatisfied with it, even though others like it. It's a classic issue for artists to deal with. Thankfully, if you walk away from it, you can often go back and resolve your personal problems with it. I love both versions of the painting, but the darker one does have great depth.

We want to share your skull art! Be a part of the Skull-A-Day project. Details are HERE.

Peccator Skull

Gurt Swanenberg, from The Hague, Holland, is "working on a project that depicts a modern version of the classic theme "Seven sins". I'm handpainting skulls or skeletons of animals or humans that symbolize a sin in iconographic art. The skulls are painted with modern day brands that refer to the sin." This piece is titled, "Peccator". I like the juxtaposition of skull and logos from consumer goods. This is an unusual way to use skulls in artwork, but reflects the death of our independent society when we're buried in mass consumerism. You can see more of this collection, on his website.

We want to share your skull art! Be a part of the Skull-A-Day project. Details are HERE.

Epistaxis Skull

RJ from Toronto sent us this image of a skull with an anterior epistaxis. This is, as RJ describes, "a water color that began as three red flowers on a field of green leaves, then it was rinsed under the kitchen tap to soften the outlines and was laid on the counter to dry overnight. It was the next morning when I began to think it seemed like two glowing red eyes in a skull with a nose bleed, which it became with some more red paint and pencil." Glad to see you converted your simulacra into the tangible. Thanks for sharing it, RJ!

We want to share your skull art! Be a part of the Skull-A-Day project. Details are HERE

"Portrait For The Tattooed Man"

This oil on board painting is brought to us by Ben Fenton. I believe his "blurb" is enough to tell you who he is and make this painting completely creepy. 

"I come from a small place in Kent called Dungeness. I live in a small place in East Sussex called Rye. My childhood was accompanied by a Poltergeist. I’m fascinated by death, disease, deformity, anguish, fear, pain and disability. I paint in response to my fascination."

See what I mean?!?! Thanks for the excellent submission, Ben!

Portrait For The Tattooed Man

 

We want to share your skull art! Be a part of the Skull-A-Day project. Details are HERE

Nuclear Fission Skull

Today's skull from Raik Dalgas is a bit more abstract than some of our usual submissions. Raik writes, "I'm an artist and writer of aphorisms. The skull symbolizes a nuclear fission process. The reasoning to this was the appearance of the man-made nuclear fission process and the impact on nature."  Deeper meanings seem to lie behind almost every skull. Thanks for sharing yours, Raik!

We want to share your skull art! Be a part of the Skull-A-Day project. Details are HERE

Skull Portraits

Marcus Wemyss, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, painted these Day of the Dead skull portraits. They are oil on canvas and were painted in 2012. I love these portraits, which capture traditional Dia de los Muertos skull makeup. We often get submissions of skull makeup, which are all great. I don't often seen skull portraits, so these really caught my eye. To see more of Marcus Wemyss' work, check out his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 "Rachel"

"Gemma"

"Natalie"

"Camila with Roses"

We want to share your skull art! Be a part of the Skull-A-Day project. Details are HERE.

Oversized Skull

Mel Rudgley from Sydney, Australia, is back with this painting she created using left over Dulux house paint and framed in reclaimed timber. It now hangs above her bed. Her home is now filled with oversized skulls. That seems like my house now. Ever since joining Skull-A-Day, I've amassed a large collection of skull artwork. A mix of mine and from artists we've featured. To see what else Mel is creating, check out her Facebook page.

We want to share your skull art! Be a part of the Skull-A-Day project. Details are HERE.

Skullized Electrical Connector

Nicole Graboyes from Trek Connect's marketing department, "created this image on Military Grade Shipboard Electrical “Power Trip” Connector manufactured by Glenair Inc." I love seeing existing items transformed by the addition of artwork. Nicole's skull follows the shape of the electrical connector, which makes it look as if it was meant to be there.

We want to share your skull art! Be a part of the Skull-A-Day project. Details are HERE.

Conjoined Skulls

Rachel Quinlivan of Alabama, is back, with a painting of conjoined skulls. I'm fascinated with skeletal deformities, since I have a few myself. Conjoined ones are extreme deformities, from the cells not fully dividing for twins. The most famous conjoined twins are Thai brothers, Chang and Eng Bunker, who were attached at the chest and shared a liver. They lived to be 63, and had families. The term "Siamese Twins", comes from these two brothers being billed as when traveling with P.T. Barnum.

We want to share your skull art! Be a part of the Skull-A-Day project. Details are HERE.

Flora and Skulls

Emily Nolan is a painter from Toronto, ON. "Biology and the inner workings of living bodies fascinate Emily Nolan and provide recurring themes in her work. Juxtaposing elements of decaying human life with organic flora and fauna filled with vibrancy, colour, and potential, Emily delves into the cycle of life from birth to death, deterioration to regeneration. Her epoxy-coated images offer luscious, candy-coated memento mori that draw from both traditional and contemporary culture." I'm always drawn to artwork that blends nature and anatomy. Emily's work has vibrant flora that follows the shape of the skull. I'm sure these are something you'd have to see in person to fully enjoy the depth of colors.

Dia de la Abby: #87 Scalin Family Portrait

Noah's daughter had a birthday recently. I was trying to think of a present to make or buy her. While flipping through my sketchbook one day, I came across the Skeleton Family Portrait I'd done for my own family. It dawned on me that this concept would be perfect for the little Scalin family. I included their three cats, since pets are furry family members. I drew this with pencil, inked it, and painted it with watercolors.

"Speaking In Tongues" Skull

This digital painting is courtesy of the "Art of Z"(Daniel Zollinger).  The skull is spewing forth an ancient artistic dialect and "Speaking In Tongues".  Communicating in a way that we all understand.  One voice coming from the dead........ Thanks, Z!

Gnarled Branch Skulls

In Toronto, Canada there's a twisted tree with The Gnarled Branch stemming from the creative mind of David Irvine.  His works are full of vintage style and are classics in their own category.  I especially enjoy his Re-Directed Thrift Store Paintings series. Thanks for sharing these, David!

Skull Street Art

Registeredartist is a street artist. He created his large skulls piece in Miami, last year. He also turned Noah's 347. Skulledelic into a stencil, which he used to spray paint the image. I love street art like his. It often brightens up dark places, and brings some unexpected whimsy. You can see more of his work on Instagram.

"Beauty In Darkness" Skulls

"Beauty In Darkness" is the title given to this work by its creator, Tim Tindall.  I suppose the intent is to identify the "beauty" in the traditional sense with the flowers, and "darkness" is represented by the skulls.  I leave you with this thought: perhaps the beauty is the quiet serenity of the after life(skulls) surrounded by the noise of the Earth we are trapped on(flowers).  How's that for a plot twist?  Thanks for sharing your work, Tim!    

[CONTEST REMINDER] Win a Crystal Skull Print from Rachel Quinlivan

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. Thanks for participating.

Don't forget you have until 11:59pm Eastern USA Time TODAY, Friday, March 14, 2014, to enter the the current giveaway. Rachel Quinlivan is giving away a "Crystal Skull" print to one lucky Skull-A-Day fan. You can find the original contest post by clicking the side bar ad, or this link.

[NOTE: If you are reading this on Facebook or Google+, you must go to THE ACTUAL BLOG POST HERE to enter this contest! You CANNOT enter this contest by commenting on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+]

[CONTEST REMINDER] Win a Crystal Skull Print from Rachel Quinlivan

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. Thanks for participating.

Don't forget you have until 11:59pm Eastern USA Time Friday, March 14, 2014, to enter the the current giveaway. Rachel Quinlivan is giving away a "Crystal Skull" print to one lucky Skull-A-Day fan. You can find the original contest post by clicking the side bar ad, or this link.

[NOTE: If you are reading this on Facebook or Google+, you must go to THE ACTUAL BLOG POST HERE to enter this contest! You CANNOT enter this contest by commenting on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+]

[CONTEST] Win a Crystal Skull Print from Rachel Quinlivan

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. Thanks for participating.

Rachel Quinlivan is an American artist who specializes in oil paintings. Many of her paintings are fossils and skulls, but she's also done animal portraits. She is inspired by fairy tales and ghost stories. You can check out her work in her etsy shop, Quinlivan Art Emporium, and on her Facebook page. She wants to share one of her recent paintings, "Crystal Skull", by giving away a print to one lucky Skull-A-Day fan!

PRIZE INFO: One 8"x10" print of "Crystal Skulls" on metallic paper.

HOW TO ENTER: Rachel is often inspired by fairy tales and ghost stories. To enter, comment below telling us your favorite fairy tale or ghost story. For example, I like "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and any ghost story with historical ties.

CONTACT INFO: The winner, chosen at random, will be contacted via email by one of the Skull-A-Day editors within 7 days of the end of the contest. If that winner doesn't respond, another winner will be chosen. With your comment, please INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!!! 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 CANNOT enter this contest by commenting on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.

CONTEST CLOSES: 11:59:59 PM Eastern USA Time Friday, March, 14, 2014.

NUMBER OF WINNERS: One

PRIZE SHIPS: This contest is open to all skull lovers around the world.

IF YOU DON'T WIN: Don't fret, in Rachel's shop, Quinlivan Art Emporium, there is a 10% discount on all orders over $25 until Sunday March 9th. Enter coupon code QuinlivanArt1 at checkout.

Skelly Nesting Dolls

Leigh Hannan, is back with a set of painted Skelly Nesting Dolls. The littlest stands at just .5" high and the biggest is 4" high and just over 2" wide. She explained, "These lovely ladies were made in Russia, and shipped to me for painting. Four have big, fun, colorful hair (some with bones tucked in!), and all have flowers to adorn them. The biggest is nestled in her purple coffin with bone yard flowers all around, and the middle doll is set amongst a damask design." These are great pieces of artwork, and available for purchase in her Etsy shop, Skelly Chic. You can find out what else Leigh's creating on her Facebook page.

Dia de la Abby: #86 Dia de los Muertos Box

Inspired by Valentine's Day and Dia de los Muertos, I took a heart shaped box and transformed it into a dark Valentine box. I covered the box with tissue paper, to give it a faux leather look. I painted a sugar skull, flowers, and leaves on the box, as a way of personalizing it. This box would be great to contain mementos, gifts, treats, or a shrine. Head to my blog to learn how to do the faux leather tissue paper treatment and see photos of the anatomical heart box. For the artwork, check out the Sugar Skulls and Marigolds Sneakers Tutorial. To see what else I'm creating, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.