Pyrography Revisited

Natalia reminded us that it has been over 3 years since she last submitted something to us HERE.  She wrote: “This is a wooden ladle with a Mexican Sugar Skulls. I am SO fond of those skulls, and especially love seeing the ones that you feature- they are so beautiful.”

Soupy C says:

Wow this is absolutely amazing.  My jaw dropped seeing the amount of detail that you were able to fit in such a limited space.  My only question is- is this food safe?  Could someone actually use it to serve? Thank you for taking the time to submit another example of your pyrography.

Rag Painting Skull

This 3 foot by 4 foot rag painting comes from the studio of Antoinette Wysocki.  We're honored that she thought of us first once she finished this colorful work.

The bright contrasting colors create a sense of explosion when mixed with the soft shades of blacks and grays.  Is it an exit wound, a deep freeze burst, or just a mind blowing experience?  Whatever the cause is, I'm glad that the effect was being shared with us.  Thanks, Antoinette!

Skull Box

Wenchkin and Scott Krichau are back with another amazing collaboration. Scott built the box. Wenchkin designed the images. Then he cut the designs out, using a plasma torch. The box is 24 inches square made of steel with asimple bulb dangling from the inside center.

I saw this online a few weeks ago, and insisted that they allow us to feature it here. It's gorgeous lit and unlit. I could see it hanging up with chains, above a table as a gorgeous light. I love how clear the shadows are, that created when the light is cast from the internal bulb. Wenchkin and Scott are amazing artists separately, but their collaborations are always mesmerizing.

[BONUS] The Gift of Skulls: Shipping Label Stickers

Alex Minott, the manager of The Evolution Store in NYC, where I got my portrait taken recently, sent me this wonderful collection of handmade stickers, which he draws with marker on shipping labels and then cuts out with a hobby knife!

He says that he hasn't made them in a while, but hopefully our praise will inspire him to make more!

Sunday Simulacra - Version 6.6

While I was in Philadelphia, PA for Skull Appreciation Day 2012, my husband and I went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We were happily wondering around, when I noticed these decorative plates in an alcove. They were created in Pennsylvania by John Leidy I. I thought the decorations looked like skull faces. Around the plates are sayings about life, and marriage. For you curious people, I've included the related translation that accompanied each plate.

"Fortune or misfortune is our breakfast every morning." - c.1796

"Rather would I single live than the wife the breeches give." - c.1797

"If one wishes to keep a secret, he may not tell his wife." - c.1796

Keep sending those pictures in, we always love seeing what our skull hunters find. Anyone is welcomed to participate, it's fun and it's easy- if you see a simulacra skull, photograph it and send those pictures in to our submissions address with a little something about what it is really and maybe a little about you.

[BONUS] 399/400. Skull Tubes Mach-2 I & II

OK I'm trying out another idea with the smaller vacuum tubes I have on hand (2 & 3 inches tall). I went to the art store today specifically to buy a bunch of much smaller brushes to get the details on them.

I'm liking this direction, but I'm wondering if I need to add arms to them, and if so, out of what material?

Super Skull Carvings Saturday

These artfully crafted carvings are from Mark Knoll in Clearwater, Fl.  He's making amazing pieces both large and small that are all carved by hand.  Rings, ear plugs, and charms are some of the smaller items, and his larger pieces carry the same attention to detail.  I'll let these pics tell you the rest.

The caliber of craftsmanship is off the charts with these carvings.  I love the choices of wood in the naturally finished pieces.  Be sure to let us know when you have your site ready to share with our readers, Mark.  I'm sure they would love to see all of your stuff.  Thanks!

Bob’s Big Skull

Dave Silva in Huntington Beach, CA sent us a piece he calls “Dead Bob”.  He wrote: “This is a mash-up of my 2 favorite things, Bob’s Big Boy and Day of the Dead.”

 Early Bird C says:

It has been ages since I have seen one of these figures.  I remember there at one time was a larger than life statue of one by where I grew up.  Sadly it was demolished when the building came down to make way for the next restaurant there.  What a fitting tribute this is to all those corporate mascots that are no longer standing.  Thank you for sharing your mashed up loves with us.

Pinky Nail Skull

Mish Tiemann painted a neon green and black skull on his pinky nail.

Nail art is becoming increasingly popular. There are websites, blogs, businesses, and YouTube channels devoted to art on nails. I love seeing nails transformed into pieces of art. Our hands become mini art galleries with changing artwork. We do so much with our hands, that they deserve special treatment.

C-Rations: छह 5

This week’s offering is corn, popped.

“Expanding Wasteline”, 9" x 11", movie theater trash including popcorn

C. Bloomburg says:

I was celebrating the holiday like many others who are trying to beat the current heatwave by going to the movies.  Today’s skull mourns the amount of trash, both on screen and off, that is produce in our current movie going experience. What fascinates me most is the rise of  the 3D feature.  Too often, time and money is spent on the bells and whistles instead of investing in making the actual movie that much better. We become suckers of the industry by actually paying more for the privilege to see mediocre 3D features.  It makes you think about the many stunts that are used to get a person to watch an “ehh” film.  Lets face it movies that are good or bad are still going to be good or bad no matter how many things fly at you gratuitously.

My weekly offering of original skull designs were posted on Mondays in year 3.0, you can see all of them plus a few more HERE . Knowing the personal pressures of a creating a piece each week, I tip my hat to the massive one-a-day project that was undertaken by The Skullmaster, during the original Skull-A-Day year.

Hopefully you will find some nourishment in my offerings, but if you need more nourishment, you may always Friend me or Follow me in their respective places.

Block Print Skull

Graphic artist, freelance designer and print-maker, Stephanie Osborne of Little Lemon Press in Evansville, Indiana sent us a skull design she recently completed.

Speedball C says:

I always love seeing block prints from artists since they are one of my favorites.  I really like how you handled the eye sockets in this design, showing a bit of contrast but not creating a big empty space right in the middle of the work. Thank you for submitting your print and showing off your unique print style.

CONTEST REMINDER: Win a Chalkboard Skull Sculpture

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

Don't forget, you have until Midnight TONIGHT, Wednesday, July 4th to enter our giveaway for one iamhome Chalkboard Skull Sculpture. If you haven't already entered yet, visit the original post here or click the ad at the top sidebar to be taken to the post.

I recently received my own Chalkboard Skull in black. It's more amazing in person. It came with a piece of chalk. I plan on either drawing Sugar Skull designs on it, or draw a phrenology map on it. I could always do one at a time, since it's a chalkboard skull and the chalk markings can be removed and changed.

Of course you don't need to wait till the end of the contest to get your own iamhome creation. Visit their shop to purchase one or more of their Chalkboard Skulls, in a large variety of colors and two styles.

[BONUS] Mail Bag

We recently discovered some fun skull-themed mail art in the Skull-A-Day P.O. Box...

Silvano Pertone of Psychout Fanzine in Genova, Italy sent several intriguing items including a piece of real bone, a cloth patch, and several images from vintage Italian comics which he collects...

We also got an unusual card from Rondi.com, but since it's not quite family friendly you'll just have to imagine what it looks like!

All Is Vanity

Just a reminder that if you're going to be in the Richmond, Virginia area this month you should check out the installation of 60+ pieces from my 100 Painted Skulls project at Clippi Headren. The last day of the exhibition is July 31, so don't miss out!

ALL IS VANITY

May 4 – July 31

Clippi Headren

929 Meyers St.

Tues & Friday 10–5pm

Wed–Thu 10–8pm

Sat 10–4pm

"Hansel & Gretel" Skull

Patrick Awa is one of the amazing talents being exhibited at the Hollow Thoughts show at the Nucleus Gallery. This piece titled "Hansel & Gretel" is another wonderful skullusion.

I'm getting lost in this painting and I don't think any trail of bread crumbs will help me get back. The sinister skull symbolizes the certain death that lies ahead...for the witch. Thanks for the stellar submission, Patrick!

Dia de el Monkey

The very talented painter, Rachael Rossman, created this portrait of our friend Monkey (Moi LeSinge). If you recall, several months ago, we featured Rachael and her kickstarter project. Since then she's had over 120 requests for Dia de los Muertos style portraits. You can see some of those in her online gallery, as they are being completed.

When I saw that Monkey and Rachael had shared this painting on Facebook, I automatically knew it deserved to be shared on Skull-A-Day. Monkey is a patron of the arts and dabbles in a little crafting himself. This painting captures the whimsy and spirit of Monkey, and shows off Rachael's watercolor skills nicely. It's not easy painting or being a white terrycloth Monkey.

[BONUS] 398. Skull Tube IV

I'm still feeling compelled to paint skulls on vacuum tubes. Not sure where I'm going with this new project, but I'm having fun in the process...

This is the smallest one so far and it's interesting to see how much detail I can retain as the scale is reduced.

I'm not selling these yet, maybe soon. In the meantime I still need a name for them, suggestions?

Sunday Simulacra - Version 6.5

Today's simulacra are certified organic in nature.

John photographed this cloud from the deck of his cabin in beautiful Pollock Pines, CA.



Stacie Alvarado in Richmond, VA sent us an eerie leaf

From C to Shining C says:

I am absolutely in awe by today’s offerings.  There is such a surreal feeling to them that I think the cloud picture needs “ce n'est pas un nuage” written under it.  The leaf skull is amazing in that it is as if your plant is trying to tell you what is wrong with it.  Thank you both for sharing your simulacra with us.

Keep sending those pictures in, we always love seeing what our skull hunters find. Anyone is welcomed to participate, it's fun and it's easy- if you see a simulacra skull, photograph it and send those pictures in to our submissions address with a little something about what it is really and maybe a little about you.

CONTEST REMINDER: Win a Chalkboard Skull Sculpture

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!

Don't forget, you have until Midnight Wednesday, July 4th to enter our giveaway for one iamhome Chalkboard Skull Sculpture. If you haven't already entered yet, visit the original post here or click the ad at the top sidebar to be taken to the post.

I recently received my own Chalkboard Skull in black. It's more amazing in person. It came with a piece of chalk. I plan on either drawing Sugar Skull designs on it, or draw a phrenology map on it. I could always do one at a time, since it's a chalkboard skull and the chalk markings can be removed and changed.

Of course you don't need to wait till the end of the contest to get your own iamhome creation. Visit their shop to purchase one or more of their Chalkboard Skulls, in a large variety of colors and two styles.

Hollow Thoughts Exhibition

For those of you who couldn't make it by Nucleus to see their skull themed exhibition Hollow Thoughts, that featured 8 of my 100 Painted Skulls project pieces, here are a few shots of the installation...

You can see more pix from the exhibition HERE.

And of course folks in the Richmond, Virginia area can still see 60+ of these pieces on display at Clipi Headren through the end of this month!