“Grandad Skull”

Artist, and past contributor, from London, UK Wayne Chisnall sent us this brush pen drawing, he titled “Grandad Skull”.

 Torch C says:

I truly like how you broke with the traditional skull image with this piece.  It reminds me a little bit of the movie version of  “he who should not be named”.  It is so great to be able to feature some more of your work after all this time.  Thank you for continuing to be a loyal reader and for another wonderful submission.

Schrodinger's Skull

If Sy Gibbon ever has a cat then he will name it Schrodinger, and this is what his skull would look like. Different media and different angles of the same cat(I'm assuming).

Momento mori of a pet that has yet to be.  This is a wonderful homage to the feline species.  Plus, that sneaky little skull in the triple double version is totally cool.  Thanks, Sy!.

Skull Montages

Richard Smith submitted "a couple of montages I've made recently using flowers and stuff from around the house with some old skull jewelry I collect. I created these images with 100% via iPhone and apps."

Art is all around us, and can be created in unexpected ways with things we have laying around. The use of the artistic cell phone apps to photograph these creations, gives the images a soft filter that blurs what was used to create the skull. They remind me of daguerreotypes. It's interesting to see the progress of photography quality now have digital applications that create antique style images.

Sunday Simulacra - Version 6.8

Our own master skull finder, Noah Scalin, found these two skulls while traveling.

Noah, "Saw this fellow in a construction site during my recent Skull Appreciation Day visit to Philly."

Noah, "Spotted this cute fellow on my recent NYC trip."

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.

Pot Head Skull

Okay, how many of you expected to see a skull with a giant doobie in his mouth? Not today, my friends. This bit of witty, pottery art comes from Andrew Bennion.

Even without the traditional skull on top this piece easily earns a place on our site. The spinal column of cups is smart and funny. This piece easily represents any lover of brewed beverages; so be it coffee, tea, or whatever you please, we tip our cup to you, Andrew. Thanks!

C-Rations: Έξι 7

This week’s offering is cheese

“Fahrenheit 275 ”, 1.5" x 3", melted cheese on tortilla chips

Monterey C says:

Some say that the true skill of an artist is knowing how to allow the material tell you what it wants to become.  I found that calling to be just the case with this piece. The round shape emerging from a river of melted cheese instantly called out to me.  With strange looks from the next table over I felt a little bit like Richard Dreyfuss a couple of quick shots and then the piece was gone. Sic transit gloria mundi

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.

Ceramic Skulls

Artist Joe Kowalczyk. from the California Bay Area wrote: “ I make ceramic skulls.  I have been doing it
for almost ten years now, and they have served me well in my glaze experiments/studies for other work I do.  Here are a few of my recent ones.”

 

Slow Cooked C says:

For experiments these pieces come out very well no one would ever know they weren't planned.  I enjoyed seeing this body of work.  Over the years I have been able to see artist's body of work over many piece and not just a single piece. It is wonderful to see your individual skull "style" and see some of the features that you place on your skulls that make them yours.  Thank you for sharing your work with us.

Christopher Columbus Skull Bust

Brandon Vickerd created this sculpture "by taking a bust of Chris Columbus and carving a skull into it."



 One of my favorite things to see in art museums are busts. They are a fairly common type of sculpture, but they are always highly detailed representations of real people. I like seeing this alteration of a famous person's bust into something more modern. The lacquered best helps the carved skull stand out. There is an eerie beauty to this altered bust that even the most classical art lover could appreciate.

Circle Skull

Niels Oosterhof in the Netherlands sent us this skull that he made.  He said: “I wanted to use only one shape to create the shape of a skull.”

99 Luft C says:

When I first saw this I immediately thought of that famous line ♫ With orders to identify, To clarify, and classify... ♫  It also reminded me a red blood cells which made me think of  Marc Quinn's “Self” piece. And finally of course Johann Schmidt, one of the most famous mono colored skull.  Thank you for submitting your artwork to us and allowing us to share your work.

CONTEST REMINDER: Win a Sourpuss Prize Pack of Skulls!

This contest is closed. Thanks to everyone that participated!


Don't forget, you have until Midnight TONIGHT Wednesday, July 18th to enter our current giveaway for two Sourpuss Clothing prize packs (one white skull set and one black skull set, for two lucky winners. If you haven't already entered yet, visit the original post here, or click the top sidebar ad to be taken to the post.





We recently received our own individual skull banks, and bowls. They are more fantastic in person. They are about half the size of an adult human skull and very shiny. They are ceramic with decals and hand painted glaze to decorate them. The ones with the top hats are the banks. The ones with the bows are the bowls.

Of course you don't need to wait till the end of the contest to get your own Sourpuss bank or bowl. Sourpuss Clothing's website is stocked full of amazing items to statisfy your creepy style needs. They are even offering a 10% discount for all our fans until the last day in August. Enter  SKULLADAY10 at checkout to get the discount.

Stonefield's Skull

Andy Stonefield was doing his part in the upcycling movement back in 2009 when he painted this skull with acrylic paint on a Duratherm board.

The world is our canvas when skull artists get creative with what they can find.  Almost anything can be used, and our submitters have made sure that this project is valid proof of that.  Thanks for sharing your addition, Andy!   

Stitched Sweater Skull

Holly Hann created a sugar skull applique for her best friend's cardigan sweater. This was her first and only attempt at embroidery.

For a first time doing embroidery, this is very nice. I like her use of some basic embroidery stitches to create an intricate design. Holly's best friend is a lucky person to have such an awesome hand made applique to adorn their cardigan. Hopefully, this isn't Holly's last attempt at embroidery. It's a tedious craft, but the results are worth the hours of work.

Sunday Simulacra - Version 6.7

Today's skulls hiding with beverages.

Julien Porcheron from France, said "I found that skull in a beer leftover after a party when I woke up... beer foam skull!"

Susan Scofield found a skull in the condensation on her margarita glass.

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 Sourpuss Prize Pack of Skulls!

This contest is closed. Thanks to everyone that participated!

Don't forget, you have until Midnight Wednesday, July 18th to enter our current giveaway for two Sourpuss Clothing prize packs (one white skull set and one black skull set, for two lucky winners. If you haven't already entered yet, visit the original post here, or click the top sidebar ad to be taken to the post.





We recently received our own individual skull banks, and bowls. They are more fantastic in person. They are about half the size of an adult human skull and very shiny. They are ceramic with decals and hand painted glaze to decorate them. The ones with the top hats are the banks. The ones with the bows are the bowls.

Of course you don't need to wait till the end of the contest to get your own Sourpuss bank or bowl. Sourpuss Clothing's website is stocked full of amazing items to statisfy your creepy style needs. They are even offering a 10% discount for all our fans until the last day in August. Enter  SKULLADAY10 at checkout to get the discount.

Skull Hombre

From the pulpits of Toronto hails Reverend Andrew Wright who brings us a "Breath of Fresh Air" design of a bad ass, mustached hombre.

That mustache could carry this post all by it's self, but I have to mention how much I like the additional pinstriping and the color selections.  Now I feel like buying some mustache wax and tequila.   Muchas gracias, Andrew!

A Pair of Skull Creations

Artist Lisa Vollrath of Ten Two Studios sent us a pair of Skull projects that she has completed.  The first is a sheet of sugar skulls that she designed. Followed by a winged tin shrine she made out of the base of an Altoids container.

Memorial C says:

A truly fitting tribute for that which you have remembered with your work.  I am quite impressed with your winged shrine, knowing the size of an Altoids package, you were able to pack so much detain in such a small area. The sugar Skull sheet reminds me of playing cards and with the natural looking pairing of designs I could see them easily for sale as Bridge packs. Thank you for submitting your art work for us to share.

[BONUS] Separated at Death: VHS vs DVD

I was definitely inspired by other artists when I was making my original 365 skulls and every now and then people spot things that may have been inspired by my own work. Maybe they were, maybe they weren't, either way I thought it would be fun to share and see what you think...

My friend Andrew, who works at my favorite local movie store Video Fan, pointed out today that the movie poster for the new release V/H/S seems related to this image I made in the store back in 2008...

339. Video Fan Skull (2008)

V/H/S (2012)

What do you think?

Spotted other Skull-A-Day lookalikes? Send em my way and I'll share in the future!

[CONTEST] Win a Sourpuss Prize Pack of Skulls!

This contest is closed. Thanks to everyone that participated!

Established in the year 2000, Sourpuss Clothing specializes in creating an ever-growing selection of original apparel, accessories and housewares for everyone from tattooed punks to zombie pinups. Most recently, they have created a line of Dia de los Muertos-themed ceramic banks and bowls in both black and bone colorways. Each has been hand-painted and decaled, and each measures 36cm around. On Sourpussclothing.com, pieces are only sold individually, but on Skull-A-Day, we are offering 1 lucky winner both the black bank and bowl as a set.....A SECOND lucky contestant will be chosen to win a set of the bone-colored bank and bowl.

These banks and bowls are great. I've been fortunate enough to see them close up. The ones with top hats are the banks. There is a coin slot cleverly placed at the top of the hat. The bowl are the skulls with bows. There is a large opening at the top of the skull.

Banks are great places to store small precious things. Bowls are great for eating out of, or using to contain other items. To enter the contest, leave a comment saying what you would store in a skull bank, and use a skull bowl for. I'd store my fortunes from fortune cookies inside the skull bank. The fortunes normally have wise advice, which will fill up the empty skull nicely. I'd probably put some icecream and a brain cupcake in the skull bowl, so it looked like I was eating gooey brains from it. What ever your answer is, make sure to leave a comment below, to enter the contest.


[NOTE: If you are reading this on Facebook or Google+, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in this contest.]


Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has a working e-mail link for you on it). Entries are only valid with this information.


You have until just Midnight Eastern Time Wednesday, July 18th to enter so don't delay!


NOTE: Sourpuss Clothing will pay for the shipping to the winner. This includes internationally as well as in the USA.

Of course you don't need to wait till the end of the contest to get your own Sourpuss bank or bowl. Sourpuss Clothing's website is stocked full of amazing items to statisfy your creepy style needs. They are even offering a 10% discount for all our fans until the last day in August. Enter  SKULLADAY10 at checkout to get the discount.

Birthday Skull

Cameron St.Gelais from Ormond Beach, FL created this Birthday Skull.

We all know that with each passing year, we grow older, and closer to death. However, there is still a lot of living to do before that day comes. Whether that day is next week, or 90 years from now, we don't know. Spend the unknown amount of time in between doing something you enjoy and celebrate your life, as if it was as amazing of a day to celebrate as the anniversary of your birth...your birthday.

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.