400 Calaveras

Adrian Edgar, from Mexico, has set out to paint 400 Calaveras (skulls). He predicts it will take him 33 years to complete, but what a beautiful 33 years that will be. I love seeing people challenge themselves creatively. A challenge like this refines his painting skills and creativity. If you are familiar with Skull-A-Day's origins, you know Noah Scalin spend a year creating a skull every day. Since then, his skull count is at 423+. Set a creative goal for youself. If you make some skulls along the way, make sure to submit them to us. We wouldn't be still going in year 7, without the creativity of our fans. You can track Adrian's progress on his 400 Calaveras Facebook page.

Roller Girl Skull

Julie Linebarier Reilly's 8 year old daughter "Tiny CrusHer", plays Jr roller derby with Florida Junior Roller Girls. She wore this skull makeup for one of her games. If I was in roller derby (I can't skate though), this would be intimidating...or just really distracting. Glad to see young girls getting into a rough sport like this. By the group photo on their Facebook page, it looks like they have a blast!

Sunset Wedding Skulls

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of these two skulls as well as the art of Mike Leemann. This fun drawing from Mike has me wondering if this couple will still include "til death do us part" in their vows. Either way, they are destined to spend an eternity together on paper. Thanks for the submission, Mike!

Dark Butterfly Skull

This drawing is from an artist known as 'Short Fuse Lies' located in The Netherlands. There is a lot of drama felt in this piece.  I can't help but think of a certain mid-90's song either.  One that carried a lot of drama with it as well.  Colorless and losing life, this skull is a grim reminder indeed.  Don't let life shoot you down.  Thanks for sharing your work with us, Lies.  

Music Video Skulls

Lukasz Pytlik, from Poland, created this Dia de los Muertos inspired music video. It was for the Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros music video contest. I love the use of skull masks to unify the characters. You can see the video below the still photos.

The music video, for the song "Please" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Sunday Simulacra - Version 7.38

Kim Wirt was surprised with a visit from this saucy skull that formed in her BBQ vinaigrette after Christmas dinner. I hope this tastefully tangy simulacrum left room for dessert. Thanks for sharing this with us, Kim. And don't forget to submit your own sneaky hidden skulls if you're lucky enough to find one.

Super Sharp Skull Saturday

This collection of wonderfully made knife handle inlays is courtesy of Hal Henderson.  These magnificent looking pieces of wood are handcrafted and then mounted to various blades.  The true work comes in the inlays and the choice of woods to use.  The right combination of woods will help to enhance the overall color scheme of the piece just as painters would mix their colors.  A durable piece of art to be handled with care.  Thanks for sharing these, Hal!
*all logos are copyrighted

Marvel Comics' "The Punisher"

East Indian Rosewood/Spalted Mape

Cocobolo/Spalted Maple

Laci Szabo Design Logo

Ziricote/Spalted Maple

Starlingear Skull Bead - "Bullet Tooth"

The Offspring Band Logo

Cocobolo/Spalted Maple

[BONUS] The Gift of Skulls

I love sharing the wonderful skull gifts that I'm given from time to time. This pieces was sent from my friend Nashaili in Mexcio. It's hand carved from slate gathered in the mountains of Oaxaca and I'm told the artist who made it was inspired by the prehistoric iconography of her ancestors.

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.

Geometrical Skulls

This 2 for Tuesday is courtesy of Poohvis Thanathammakoon in New York.  I'm loving how these geometrical skulls are so well planned out.  I can't tell if I'm looking at a flow chart, a wiring schematic, or some sort of tribal decoration pattern, but regardless of what they look like I'm a fan.  Thanks for sharing these, Poohvis! See more on Tumblr & Instagram.

[BONUS] Skull Mail from Romania

An unexpected envelope full of skull art arrived at Skull-A-Day HQ recently! It was sent by Mariana Serban in Romania who shared the wonderful work of her students at the Arts High School in Târgu Mureș...

by Iotrate Ililia age 18

by Toja Mihaly-Zoltan age 16

by Rezi Ors Tamas age 16

by Gliga Bogdana

"Show of heads" by Moldonau Alexandru age 16

She also included one of her own pieces... 

Thanks Mariana!

Folded Paper Skeleton

Donny Mitchem created this folded paper skeleton. Glad he included some flat photos of it, so we could get an idea of how it's made. The head reminds me of Noah's 72. Papercraft Skull, in that it uses a similar folding concept. I wish there was a template available for this skeleton, so other people could make their own folded paper skeleton.

Sunday Simulacra - Version 7.37

Once again we have some sneaky skulls who have joined their captors for a friendly stroll. The first one was found by Jez Walshaw in Leeds, England. It's a bit of spilled paint that measure about 7" across. the second was noticed by Jessica Scalin, Mrs. Skull Master. Thanks to both of you for keeping your eyes open! Be sure to submit your hidden skull finds if you're lucky enough to find one.

Super Blockhead Skull Saturday

This exceptional explosion of colorific skulls comes from Pat Henzy.  Philadelphia is the place where he's been painting these wood blocks with his own style of skulls for a year or so.  It's interesting to see how all of the pieces belong in the same set yet they are all uniquely different.  Thanks for adding some variety to our weekend, Pat!

No Evil Skull Trio

Kayleigh Sparks aka Umeko, of Edinburgh, Scotland, drew these three skulls. She explained they are "a set of see (Mizaru), speak (Iwazaru) and hear (Kikazaru) no evil skulls." If you are familiar with the tale "Three Wise Monkeys", then you know where See, Speak, and Hear no evil comes from. I recall reading the tale when I was a child, and have always enjoyed seeing artwork inspired by it. There are various interpretations of the story's meaning. I like Kayleigh's variation with the censorship bars. There are certain "evils" in our culture we are commonly encouraged not to see, speak, or hear about, and these remind me of those.

Culture vs. Garbage Skull

Bart De Keyzer created this experimental animation, "Culture vs. Garbage", using 2D and 3D software. It's "based on the theme of taste, subculture and civilizations vision on these subjects". Out of context, the red glistening skull is beautiful. You have to watch the video to get the full beauty of the message. What one person sees as beautiful will be different to another person. I see the structure of art...the under painting, armatures, padding, molds, etc, just as beautiful as the outer product. Every element in the process of creating artwork is beautiful, but perhaps that's just how I see things. You can see more of Bart's work on his website 3rd Floor, Behance, and Facebook.

Culture vs Garbage from Bart De Keyzer on Vimeo.

Skull Wrench Ring

If you've ever busted a knuckle turning a wrench then this skull's for you. Bon Barde is the creator of this nifty little bit of "retooling".  A cut here, some tool punching there, a little bit of dental work and VOILA!  A chromed out way to remind that wrench who's knuckle is boss(and who the real tool is).  Thanks for sharing more of your work with us, Bon!

Skull Trees

Sebastien Ortiz is a med student in Mexico City who likes to dabble in some skull art in his free time.  Whether rooted in the cranium, or blossoming as a fruit(kind of), nature and our skulls are closely connected.  Sebastien is just branching out to make it more evident(okay, no more puns).  Thanks for sharing these, Sebastien!

Halloween Skull Face

Mike Bearss of Grand Rapids Michigan, painted a skull face on himself for Halloween. Just like every human skull is slightly different, every skull face painting is different. This one has great cracks and definition. Love that this photo is has closed eyes, which adds to the intended spookiness! Keep submitting your great skull makeups. We love seeing what you all create!

Sunday Simulacra - Version 7.36

Like a sniper in the jungle, this sneaky skull tried desperately to go undetected, but Dan Foss was quick to spot it's toothy grin and snap this image. Let this be a warning to you all, Dan was fortunate to have his camera and keen eyesight ready, but not all of you will be so lucky. These little buggers can creep right by you in the blink of an eye, and then poof, your chance is gone. If you do happen to acquire a snapshot of a sneaky skull in your presence then be sure to submit it to us. Until then keep a sharp lookout like Dan. Thanks, Dan!

Super Profusion of Painted Skulls

Take a look at the plethora of paintings that Tommy Hawen has for you today.  Tommy is an artist of all sorts(tattoos, paintings, etc.), and he gets a lot of his inspiration from his muse and wife, Jordana(believe it or not, we've featured her on Skull-A-Day as well right here).  Together they're driving each others creativity to new levels of unique ideas.  I know you'll enjoy these beauties as much as I do.  Thanks for the awesome submissions, Tommy!