Skull Stamps

Janos Gabor Varga of Blind Spot Jewellery has created a trio of stamps which feature skulls carved into Carrara marble.

* Pair made custom for Dauvit Alexander of The Justified Sinner

*Detail of stamp from above on the right

Chop C says:

These are all incredible pieces you have created. It is truly impressive to see that old skills, like hand carving marble, are still being practiced by artists in the world. It is fitting that you have chosen to carve skulls into marble, because the two seem inseparable since I am reminded of the skull imagery that appears on 17th century headstones. Thank you for allowing us to share this pieces with our readers.

[Flashback Friday] 5.28- 31. Plastic Bag Skull

Welcome to another addition of Flashback Friday.** This year the guest editors, Tatman, Azurafae, and myself, Citizen Agent, are taking turns reflecting on 17 of our personal favorite skulls from the previous four years of postings. So please join us as we visit the archives and add our additional commentary on some of the original pieces.

31. Plastic Bag Skull

PE-HD C says:

This skull came to mind recently as I shopped at my favorite convenience store named after a bird. About a month ago the store was aflutter with signs about no longer giving plastic bags unless requested by the customer. I thought this was a wonderful move since I was getting tired of asking not to have a bag when I got a drink and a bag of chips. I was happy to see a sense of responsibility was being placed on the consumer to cut down on their plastic consumption. Recently however, at check out, everything ended up in a bag and I paused for a second and realized that all the signs had since been removed. I casually inquired about the signs and was told that too many people complained about having to ask for a bag so it was easier to just go back to the old ways- no I wasn't in Amish country. Today's skull visualizes the death of a positive move to change our culture of convenience, a positive move that we should not just morn, but complain about giving into what is easy rather than staying with something that is tougher, but right.

**Flashback Friday was a weekly countdown of the fan selected top 52 skulls of Skull-A-Day 1.0. Each week during year 3.0 The Skullmaster posted the original skull along with some additional commentary in order from lowest to highest rated, with the #1 skull appearing in the last week of year 3.0, all 52 can be found here. During year 4.0 the editors had their chance to countdown their favorites Azurafae HERE, Citizen Agent HERE, and Tatman HERE.

Jean Pokorney - “I Really Love You Except When I want to Kill You”

On June 4, 2011 Skull-A-Day celebrated Skull Appreciation Day with an exhibit of over 100 skulls at Gallery 5 in Richmond, VA. If you didn't have a chance to make it to the gallery while the show was up, we now proudly present: "Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition".

Jean Pokorney- “I Really Love You Except When I want to Kill You” $200.00

Jean Pokorny has been in the design field for over 20 years. She is Creative Director/Owner of Corn Design and serves on the board of AIGA Richmond.

Please visit the artist’s exhibit page for information on if this work is available for purchase.

The 2011 Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition was a collective art show celebrating the 5th anniversary of Skull-A-Day.com and its tremendous audience of artists and readers.Throughout year 5.0 we will be featuring artwork from the show a few times a week. This is a chance to see all of the excellent skulls that were on display, and FOR SALE. Some of these pieces may still be available and this is a wonderful opportunity to own an original piece of skullriffic artwork. There are many well known artists who have contributed very reasonably priced works and many of them have donated their portion of the sale to benefit a great charity, the Richmond Peace Education Center.

Please take a moment to view all of the remarkable work that was created for the onset of this annual festivity. Your skull will appreciate you for showing it some love.

Skulls of Obsession

Jon MDC submitted these two skull paintings. He says, "Skulls are an obsession of mine and this year has seen me take a step back into fine art and begin painting again. I currently have a number of paintings and prints available previews can be seen on my Facebook or inprogress shots of most of the work can be seen on my Tumblr.

I like the decayed quality to these skulls. The intact teeth and fissures have been outlined, further defining the absence of teeth and delicateness of the skulls. It also adds a surreal cartoonish quality to the images. The use of medical crosses and potential death instruments make these more sinister, as the hint at a cause of death for these skulls.

White Chocolate Truffle Skulls

Designer Marc Brownlow submitted these tasty skulls. He wrote: “I thought you might be interested in my Halloween project. I sculpted little skulls from polymer clay, made molds from them with food-grade silicone and then used the molds to make skull shaped truffles. The white chocolate truffles have bittersweet centers and are topped with little candy-coated walnut brains.”

The whole step-by-step project was featured on Make:Projects. You can see that process HERE.

Sammy C Jr. says:

This is an absolutely awesome project. I am constantly in awe of the mufti-faceted talents that our readers have at their disposal. Thank you for sharing these tasty results with us as well as your easy to follow tutorial to try this at home.

Gretel Schwartzott- “Carta Obscura”

On June 4, 2011 Skull-A-Day celebrated Skull Appreciation Day with an exhibit of over 100 skulls at Gallery 5 in Richmond, VA. If you didn't have a chance to make it to the gallery while the show was up, we now proudly present: "Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition".

Gretel Schwartzott- “Carta Obscura”

Gretel Schwartzott- “Carta Obscura” $200.00

The child of 2 visual artists- Ms. Schwartzott received a BFA in Painting and Sculpture in 1993 from The State University of New York at New Paltz, after beginning a masters in Art History in New Paltz she decided to take time off and move to New York City. Settling in Brooklyn with a small group of artists from New Paltz, Schwartzott began showing work in group shows around Brooklyn and Manhattan, NY.

In 1999 Ms. Schwartzott began the Industrial Design Program at Pratt Institute. She honed her skills and began creating furniture inspired by bones fabricated from cast aluminum parts which were sculpted initially from wood. The pieces won several design awards and were shown at the ICFF in NY and the Salone di Mobile in Milan. Since graduation in 2002 she has been working as a contract designer in New York and continues to work in many facets of the design/art world.

Ms Schwartzott lives by the motto- “Draw Something Everyday” and two of her designed chairs can be viewed at Levelarchitecture.com.

Please visit the artist’s exhibit page for information if this work is available for purchase.

The 2011 Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition was a collective art show celebrating the 5th anniversary of Skull-A-Day.com and its tremendous audience of artists and readers.

Throughout year 5.0 we will be featuring artwork from the show a few times a week. This is a chance to see all of the excellent skulls that were on display, and FOR SALE. Some of these pieces may still be available and this is a wonderful opportunity to own an original piece of skullriffic artwork. There are many well known artists who have contributed very reasonably priced works and many of them have donated their portion of the sale to benefit a great charity, the Richmond Peace Education Center.

Please take a moment to view all of the remarkable work that was created for the onset of this annual festivity. Your skull will appreciate you for showing it some love.

Thea Duskin- “Caligari's Cabinet”

On June 4, 2011 Skull-A-Day celebrated Skull Appreciation Day with an exhibit of over 100 skulls at Gallery 5 in Richmond, VA. If you didn't have a chance to make it to the gallery while the show was up, we now proudly present: "Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition".

Thea Duskin- “Caligari's Cabinet” $300.00

Thea Duskin is the co-owner/ curator of Ghostprint Gallery in Richmond, VA. She has shown her artwork internationally, been published in many different fields, and staged many performance art pieces.

The 2011 Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition was a collective art show celebrating the 5th anniversary of Skull-A-Day.com and its tremendous audience of artists and readers.

Throughout year 5.0 we will be featuring artwork from the show a few times a week. This is a chance to see all of the excellent skulls that were on display, and FOR SALE. Some of these pieces may still be available and this is a wonderful opportunity to own an original piece of skullriffic artwork. There are many well known artists who have contributed very reasonably priced works and many of them have donated their portion of the sale to benefit a great charity, the Richmond Peace Education Center.

Please take a moment to view all of the remarkable work that was created for the onset of this annual festivity. Your skull will appreciate you for showing it some love.

Leather Cyclops Skull

This leatherhead cyclops skull is a custom crafted piece of work from leather worker Donny Mitchem (aka Sir Theas of Gwynedd, aka Donny of Hoodbridge).



And I couldn't pass on sharing this hilarious view...



This piece is as unique as the ancient monster himself. If I had to choose a leather skull for myself, this is the "one eye" would go with. Thanks for sharing your wonderful work, Donny!

French Skulls

Pascal Peris is a French artist, who makes and paints his own skulls.

I like all the details on the skulls. They remind me of life stories told on tombs through carvings and paintings. What tales could one skull tell if it's story was recorded on it? Amazingly adventurous ones I'm sure.

Sunday Simulacra - Version 5.28

Today’s simulacra are found on cars.

Christopher Shultz in Oklahoma City, OK wrote: “This is the stealing wheel of my '99 Pontiac Grand Am. I've been driving her for more than a year, and I only just noticed this the other day.”

VT thought of us when they saw this simulacra hoodie one morning.

Dominique Ferguson was on Target when she saw this “Very interesting repair work!” in the parking lot.


Wagen C says:

Thank you all for sharing your finds with us. As we start to get into the winter season around these parts, I hope there will be many more simulacra since snow and cars are ideal soul mates for simulacra.

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 them to be posted.

Motivational Skulls

Today’s skulls are a by-product from two of the many recent lectures by The Skullmaster.

Jeannine Luby in Scranton, PA told us: “I heard Noah speak in Scranton PA in September and was inspired by his work. While on vacation in Williamsburg, VA I decided to create a skull from the shells I found at a beach along the James River.”


Cynthia wrote: “I just took Noah’s class during my MDC training over the last two weeks and when he was in Crotonville, we still had our masking tape art up on the wall. Well, as we were taking it down, I bunched it up into a ball and found myself forming this skull like shape. I really enjoyed the class. Thanks—”


C. Foley says:

It is wonderful to see how the Skullmaster’s influence is always paid forward in inspiring his past students. Thank you both for submitting you work for us to share. Also, if any of our readers who have been inspired directly by the Skullmaster or indirectly through one of the wonderful artists that we feature everyday, we would love to hear from you. Please send your work to our Submission Box.

[Flashback Friday] 5.27- Medicinal Skulls

Welcome to another addition of Flashback Friday.** This year the guest editors, Tatman, Azurafae, and myself, Citizen Agent, are taking turns reflecting on 17 of our personal favorite skulls from the previous four years of postings. So please join us as we visit the archives and add our additional commentary on some of the original pieces.

Today’s flashbacks of the medical nature were both previously posted on this date.

First up from the original project is the Skullmaster with 189. Skull-Aid

Arranged Adhesive Bandages (Approx. 13in x 11in).
This is made up of just under 300 bandages (plasters for you UK folks).

Next from Year 3.0 is Eric Collins an illustrator in NYC, who made this piece called “Death Pill.”

Full Work

Detail

E-Merg-N C says:

It is interesting that these two pieces work so well together yet they are separated by two years of posts. I find it facinating how these two pieces represent the double sided coin of medicine. On one side we have the things that could help you and on the other side is something that could hurt you, and don't be so quick to pass judgement on which is which. Some one with latex allergies could be hurt by the bandage, and the pill could be full of bacteria killing antibiotics that may help you.

PS. If you would like to own an original piece of Mr. Collins’ skull work, the piece he created for the Skull Appreciation Exhibit on June 4th this year, “What's Inside”, is still available. Not to be forgotten- The Skullmaster also has some original skull work for sale HERE.

**Flashback Friday was a weekly countdown of the fan selected top 52 skulls of Skull-A-Day 1.0. Each week during year 3.0 The Skullmaster posted the original skull along with some additional commentary in order from lowest to highest rated, with the #1 skull appearing in the last week of year 3.0, all 52 can be found here. During year 4.0 the editors had their chance to countdown their favorites Azurafae HERE, Citizen Agent HERE, and Tatman HERE.

Claudia Dersch - “Hamlet Said”

On June 4, 2011 Skull-A-Day celebrated Skull Appreciation Day with an exhibit of over 100 skulls at Gallery 5 in Richmond, VA. If you didn't have a chance to make it to the gallery while the show was up, we now proudly present: "Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition".

Claudia Dersch - “Hamlet Said” $75.00

Claudia Dersch is a Petersburg, VA based calligraphy artist.

Please visit the artist’s exhibit page for information on if this work is available for purchase.

The 2011 Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition was a collective art show celebrating the 5th anniversary of Skull-A-Day.com and its tremendous audience of artists and readers.Throughout year 5.0 we will be featuring artwork from the show a few times a week. This is a chance to see all of the excellent skulls that were on display, and FOR SALE. Some of these pieces may still be available and this is a wonderful opportunity to own an original piece of skullriffic artwork. There are many well known artists who have contributed very reasonably priced works and many of them have donated their portion of the sale to benefit a great charity, the Richmond Peace Education Center.

Please take a moment to view all of the remarkable work that was created for the onset of this annual festivity. Your skull will appreciate you for showing it some love.

Alyssa's Skulls

Alyssa Cooper submitted three different skulls. She included explanations of each.

This skull is a study of a canine skull done with charcoal.

This skull "was my costume for Halloween. I used a traditional film camera with black and white film to showcase the face paint, and was pleased at the way it came out.

This skull "was a nametag I made for myself. First, I took a picture with a blank sheet of paper, then after printing it, I added the skeleton in ink."

I love seeing the variety of her work. That is something that all of us editors can appreciate. The shading of the canine skull is beautiful. The makeup is dramatic and eerie, which is great for a Halloween costume. The skeleton is neat because she's drawn it in a way where when she holds it for a photograph, it looks like an x-ray. It's nice to see someone else doing what all of us editors have done, make skulls in different ways.

Skull of a Giant

Tom Most of Mostly Fantasy sent us a picture of his recent creation. He wrote: “This a giant skull I sculpted, and will shortly be completing the molding and casting. The smaller skull is life-size, for a sense of scale.”


Space Probe C says:

“Gresham is dead! Repeat, Gresham is dead!” for some odd reason that happened to be my first thought when I found myself looking at a giant skull. Thank you for submitting this amazing work for us to share. I am looking forward to seeing some after shots of it once you have it completed.

Fiona Jones- “El Jardin del Ray Muerto”

On June 4, 2011 Skull-A-Day celebrated Skull Appreciation Day with an exhibit of over 100 skulls at Gallery 5 in Richmond, VA. If you didn't have a chance to make it to the gallery while the show was up, we now proudly present: "Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition".

Fiona Jones- “El Jardin del Ray Muerto”

Fiona Jones- “El Jardin del Ray Muerto” $100.00

Ms. Jones is currently a student of Nuclear Medicine at MCV. She is a beer...*enthusiast* who loves wordless music. When it comes to art, her greatest inspirations are fog, snow, and skeleton trees and she tries to incorporate or reference at least one of these elements in her art. She states: “I love the idea of bleakness.” In early 2012 Ms. Jones will be launching an online store for fully customizable accessories and accoutrements.

Please visit the artist’s exhibit page for information if this work is available for purchase.

The 2011 Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition was a collective art show celebrating the 5th anniversary of Skull-A-Day.com and its tremendous audience of artists and readers.

Throughout year 5.0 we will be featuring artwork from the show a few times a week. This is a chance to see all of the excellent skulls that were on display, and FOR SALE. Some of these pieces may still be available and this is a wonderful opportunity to own an original piece of skullriffic artwork. There are many well known artists who have contributed very reasonably priced works and many of them have donated their portion of the sale to benefit a great charity, the Richmond Peace Education Center.

Please take a moment to view all of the remarkable work that was created for the onset of this annual festivity. Your skull will appreciate you for showing it some love.

Jessica Scalin - “Fissures”

On June 4, 2011 Skull-A-Day celebrated Skull Appreciation Day with an exhibit of over 100 skulls at Gallery 5 in Richmond, VA. If you didn't have a chance to make it to the gallery while the show was up, we now proudly present: "Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition".

Jessica Scalin - “Fissures” $75.00

Jessica is a vibrant soul who loves all forms of art and the organic ways they have of making us feel at ease and peace with ourselves. Plus, she makes a wicked cup of joe. Thanks, Jess!

All of the 2011 Skulls are were on display at Gallery 5 through July 8, 2011. Please contact Gallery 5 directly for information on purchasing the artwork.

The 2011 Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition was a collective art show celebrating the 5th anniversary of Skull-A-Day.com and its tremendous audience of artists and readers.

Throughout year 5.0 we will be featuring artwork from the show a few times a week. This is a chance to see all of the excellent skulls that were on display, and FOR SALE. Some of these pieces may still be available and this is a wonderful opportunity to own an original piece of skullriffic artwork. There are many well known artists who have contributed very reasonably priced works and many of them have donated their portion of the sale to benefit a great charity, the Richmond Peace Education Center.

Please take a moment to view all of the remarkable work that was created for the onset of this annual festivity. Your skull will appreciate you for showing it some love.

Skulls-N-Roses Tattoo

Over in Doncaster, UK, at Big Al's Tattoo Studio, Alan Turner(aka Big Al) is cranking out some sweet skull ink. This is a recent piece he did for a client who "came in with an idea of a skulls and roses half sleeve".



Okay, gang, I didn't get the moniker "Tatman" for my love of making lace so it should come as no surprise that I get the pleasure of bringing you this beautiful work of ink. It abides by one of the most basic tattoo rules- GET IT BIGGER! It looks like this is pretty freshly done so I'm sure those blacks will soften out to some warm shades of grey. Lovely work, Al. A skull by any other name would still smell like death.

Flapper Skull

Jessica Vázquez-Friedman made this mixed media skull called "The Flapper".  Jessica is "a self-taught mixed media artist from Massachusetts. I specialize in painting skulls and Day of the Dead art with a joyful and whimsical twist."

I like seeing this rendition of a skull in a flapper style with a cloche hat and flower. The "Roaring 20s", were a wild time with prohibition leading to organized crime and moonshine...alcohol that was transported under the shine of the moon. This definitely lead to many deaths. Prohibition in the USA lasted for 13 years, from 1920-1933. The origins of the term "flapper" are mixed, but in general refer to a carefree wild young woman.

Sunday Simulacra - Version 5.27

Today’s simulacra come from my own personal collection of images I found while on outings.

The first one was found in the seasonal section of a discount store.


This next one was found behind an advertisment scenes at the local movie theater.


and last was locked away behind bars at an abandoned mill in town.


Jaunt C says:

Thank you for allowing me to share some of my finds with you, next week we will return to more simulacra from our prolific hunters and seekers.

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.

[BONUS] The Gift of Skulls - Tank Skull

I had to share yet another incredible gift I got from Skull-A-Day friend Wenchkin and her partner Scott Krichau. They created a set of upcycled metal tank lamps for Halloween and then very kindly made a special one just for me, featuring a skull based on the one in my own Skullphabet!...

If you haven't already, definitely spend some time checking out their work online, both are very talented artists who have some extremely affordable work for sale online. Wenchkin's work is HERE and Scott's is HERE.

"San Calaca" Skull

This painted shelf unit is from Enrique Camacho so I'll let him tell you more...

"This is a painting I created for Houston's Lawndale Art Center silent auction, their biggest fundraiser every year. I wanted to combine skeletons and origami which I like very much. So I created a traditionally composed painting of a saint "San Calaca", or "Saint Calaca". The halo is painted as 'papel picado' (punched paper) which is used often in Mexican celebrations such as weddings and Day of the Dead. The skeleton is holding a paper crane, the most recognizable origami animal I could think of. In the complete art project, I created shelves to hold 6 origami animal figures, with skeletons painted on them. I wanted to bring the subject matter of the main painting into a more tangible setting, so that the painted scene and our own world would seem more connected."



This is a wonderful painting for a good cause, but I'm just as excited about this being used as a functional piece for displaying the origami skeleton art. Those little bony critters are complimentary to the skeleton saint. Almost like a blessing for the animals who have past. This is impressive work, Enrique. Thanks for sharing it.

Yummy Skulls

Damien Martin told us: “I noticed one day whilst making a sandwich that the bread looked skull shaped so I added some cheese features.


and Cill shared this treat: “This is from my left over Cuban food skull that I made at my Papi's house :)”


Clean up C says:

The question that always comes to mind with any food post is what wine would you serve with a skull? Maybe a nice Chianti? Thank you both for sharing these yummy skull with us.

Meena Khalili-Clifford- “Match Head” $300.00

On June 4, 2011 Skull-A-Day celebrated Skull Appreciation Day with an exhibit of over 100 skulls at Gallery 5 in Richmond, VA. If you didn't have a chance to make it to the gallery while the show was up, we now proudly present: "Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition".

Meena Khalili-Clifford- “Match Head” $300.00

Meena Khalili Clifford is an illustrator and designer and an Assistant Professor at Virginia State University. She rides a blue vespa and loves the Northside of Richmond—In fact, you can visit her blog at northsidegal.tumblr.com, and check out her visual work at lot15studio.com.

Please visit the artist’s exhibit page for information on if this work is available for purchase.


The 2011 Skull Appreciation Day - The Exhibition was a collective art show celebrating the 5th anniversary of Skull-A-Day.com and its tremendous audience of artists and readers.Throughout year 5.0 we will be featuring artwork from the show a few times a week. This is a chance to see all of the excellent skulls that were on display, and FOR SALE. Some of these pieces may still be available and this is a wonderful opportunity to own an original piece of skullriffic artwork. There are many well known artists who have contributed very reasonably priced works and many of them have donated their portion of the sale to benefit a great charity, the Richmond Peace Education Center.

Please take a moment to view all of the remarkable work that was created for the onset of this annual festivity. Your skull will appreciate you for showing it some love.

Calavera Catrina

Lydia Ash, from Lawrence, KS wore this to work on Halloween.

I love the simplicity and colorfulness of this take on catrina makeup. Lydia's piercing eyes really help bring in a deathly look. The lace, flowers, and skeleton shirt help tie together the Dia de los Muertos style costume.