Recycled T-Shirt Skull

Professor Ben Venom at the San Francisco Art Institute wrote: “Here is my submission...it is a quilt I made from old and new Heavy Metal band T-shirts. The quilting pattern forms a spiral coming out of Ozzy's forehead.”

Title: Am I Demon?
Media: Heavy Metal T-shirts, Fabric, Thread,
BattingSize: 41" x 51" Year: 2010

Molybdenum C says:

I really wish I had the ability to make these large quilts. A lot of clothes that have worn out past the point of donation would be a perfect for such a project, and just think I could then donate the quilt. Thank you for sharing your artwork with us and if you haven't already done so there is still time to make a quilt square for the Skull Appreciation Day quilt project. You can find detail about it here.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: What are some of your favorite shirts that you could turn into a skull quilt? A 1984 Duran Duran tour shirt that I have kept all these years would top my list.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you!
(Either your e-mail in the post OR make sure your profile has an e-mail link for you. If all else fails drop us an email to our submission address with your profile name. )

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Nems' New Skull

Here's a lovely drawing and note from a newly discovered reader by the name of nems. "so i just finished this skull drawing and was told to send to you guys... i had no idea about the site til now and really dig it. enjoi."



Enjoy it we will, nems. It's pleasant to see that almost 5 years into Noah's original project we're still finding awesome new artists to showcase. The power of the skull can make people do wonderous things...including coming together in our love of skull art. Thanks for joining the group, nems!


Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway
To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: with whom you would share a new skull.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Steam Skull

Qi, submitted this image to us. " "Poison" is an illustration I did for a website of koans.  The skull is in the steam."

I'm suddenly craving some Asian food. If only a place here was open this early, I would get some now. I love how the steam from the hot tea creates the skull and there is steam from the rice. It's very cartoon like, which goes nicely with the context of the drawing.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in today's drawing to win a button just leave a comment below stating: What kind of food might you find a skull in?

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Sunday Simulacra - Version 4.50

During my recent travels, I've found a few simulacra skulls.

In April, I was in Falls Church, VA for a friend's birthday. I randomly found this skull by taking photos of clouds out of a car window. I thought it looked like a pirate with a large mustache.

Last week, I went on vacation with my family. While we were walking around Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure in Orlando, FL, I saw this building top in the Dr. Seuss area, that looked like a skull.

Later in the week, we went to Myrtle Beach, SC for a few days. While walking along the beach to a restaurant for dinner, my husband John found his rock that looked like a skull. It was hard to photograph, but it reminded me of those classic sci-fi drawings of aliens.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in today's drawing to win a button just leave a comment below stating: Where would a skull want to go on vacation?

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

The Skull Quilt Project: Skulls in Reds

We've received a variety of quilt suares. I've noticed that there are a lot of repeating colors, which is a good thing. These featured ones use various shades of red...and some other colors too.

Ann Scrags from Camarillo, CA used fused plastic bags, recycled plastic pieces and ribbon to create this skull.

Sue McGuire made these skulls with appliqued fabric and beads.

Amy Whitehurt from Richmond, VA of Snow Globe 365 made this one using fabric and hand stitching.

Sarah from Swindon, Wiltshire, England of Are You Flowin' made this one from fabric and embroidery.

Here is some information on the Skull Quilt Project:

The quilt blocks need to be 12"x12" in total size. This includes 1" around all sides of seam and ironing allowance. This means you have about 10"x10" of art space. Since these are art quilts, feel free to use any medium you wish that will adhere to a 12"x12" cotton square. Just decorate one side of the square and don't worry about finishing the edges. I will be sewing your square to other squares, to make a quilt. I'll be making multiple quilts, so I will match yours up with other participants squares of similar colors or themes. Each quilt will be three squares x three squares, a total of nine squares. If you want, get together with your friends and make nine blocks that have similar colors, so I can make one quilt with them. Need more inspiration, check our other submissions.

Send your finished skull quilt squares to:

Skull-A-Day

PO Box 73236

Richmond, VA 23235

On a note sent with the piece, please include:

Your name

Your city, state and/or country

Your email - I will email you when your block arrives

If you have any questions about the project, feel free to email me at abby@skulladay.com

The deadline for us to receive the skull blocks is Saturday, May 28, 2011. This is so we can sew the quilts in time Skull Appreciation Day. The quilts will be auctioned off at and after the June 4th event. Proceeds from these quilts will go to Becky's Fund, which is an organization that helps victims of domestic violence.

If you aren't the quilt square type person, or want something to do something a bit different for the event, make a piece of Mail Art. These will be on display at the event.

Incan Mummy Skull

Way down in South America there's a museum in Cusco where Andrew Verster of Durban, South Africa spent some time of his past. He's sharing with us this softly shaded skull drawing and this note, "the text in the form of a poem explains something of my feelings towards these astonishing objects, the tender and beautiful Inca Mummies."



EACH MORNING I SIT
IN THE HALLS OF THE DEAD
THE ONLY SOUND
THE SCRATCH OF MY PEN
NOTING:

FLESH TURNED TO STONE.
NECKS ROPED.
HANDS BOUND.
BODIES TRUSSED
AND AWKWARD.

A THOUSAND YEARS
OF SILENCE
BETWEEN
THEM
AND
ME.





The wash effect that Andrew used really conveys the quiet existence of the mummies. Shades of gray now dissolve the color that once filled these living bodies. The poem puts you in his chair, listening to the same silence that has been endured for so long. These two make a great combination. Thanks for sharing the silence with us, Andrew.


Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway
To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: the color of your skull.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Father & Daughter Skulls

It's a Friday in May the perfect time to Flashback to a trilogy of films that were blockbusters in their day and no I don't mean Friday the 13th.

John aka captainmagnificent from Milwaukee, WI sent us these incredible pieces. He said: “I love your blog. You have a great collection of skulls of all types, found, created, everything. It's been a constant source of inspiration for me. I created a set of Star Wars Day of the Dead illustrations a while back, and thought they might fit in here.”



Padawan C says:

I fell in love with this concept and commend you on its execution, it is wonderful. I am hoping that there is a father-son in the works in the future for this series, but it may be best to avoid a certain Gungan if you know what I mean. Thank you for submitting these for us to share and many well wishes to you and your family.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: What kind of blockbuster movie would you take a skull to? Definitely something Avant-garde.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you!
(Either your e-mail in the post OR make sure your profile has an e-mail link for you. If all else fails drop us an email to our submission address with your profile name. )

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest.

Celebrate Skull Appreciation Day in Richmond, VA

Hey folks, if you're going to be in the Richmond area in June/July you're invited to come celebrate Skull Appreciation Day with me! I'm co-curating a one day celebration on June 4th and a month long art exhibition through July 8th. Details are below...

SKULL APPRECIATION DAY

An exhibition and event celebrating the cranium at Gallery 5

In honor of the first annual international Skull Appreciation Day on June 4th

Curated by Noah Scalin & Philip Cheney

June 3 – July 8

EXHIBITION

100+ artists share their interpretation of the skull.

Using a plain papier-mâché skull provided by the curators, over 100 local, national, and international artists are sharing their own personal take on this universal symbol. A portion of all sales will be donated to the local nonviolence organization Richmond Peace Education Center.

Also on display:

Skull Quilts.

curated by Skull-A-Day editor Abby Davis

These quilts will be auctioned off and all proceeds will be donated to DC charity Becky’s Fund, which helps survivors of domestic violence.

Skull Mail Art

Artist Mim Golub put out the call for mail artists across the globe to create and send skulls through the post to celebrate Skull Appreciation Day.

Opening Night:

First Friday, June 3rd 7-11pm

Exhibition Continues Through July 8th

Hours:

Wednesday – Friday 11am – 6pm

Saturday by appointment only

EVENTS

Skull Appreciation Day – June 4th

DIY Skulls - FREE!

12 – 4pm

Bring the family and celebrate the love for the bone in your head by spending the afternoon making skull-themed crafts! Materials and directions provided. Our friends from local nonprofit Art180 will be on hand to help you get motivated.

Skull Dance Party - $5 donation to RPEC

7 – 11pm

Wear you favorite skeletal costume or skeleton mask and celebrate your cranium in style. DJs, drummers, and special guest performers, including Deepa de Jour & All Saints Theater Company, will get your bones shaking. There will also be a best costume & make-up contest with special prizes from Skull-A-Day.

Where:

Gallery 5

200 West Marshall St.

Richmond, VA

804.644.0005

p.s. If you like the image above you can buy it as a limited edition poster in the Skull-A-Day store HERE.

[Flashback Friday] #224 Butternut Skull

Welcome to another addition of Flashback Friday.** This year the guest editors, Citizen Agent, Azurafae, and myself, Tatman, are taking turns counting down our personal favorite 17 skulls from the Original 365.25 Year. So please join us as we visit the archives and add our additional commentary on some of the original pieces.

3. 224. Butternut Skull



I only have 2 words for this skull... F'ing Hilarious! I really and truly lol'd the first time I saw this. It's been said that laughter is contagious and when you're face is permanently carved to look this way then you're going to get at least a chuckle out of a few people. Thanks to Noah for the laugh!

**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.

The Skull Quilt Project: Noah's Skull

Noah made this one using the same freemotion machine embroidery technique that he used for 317. Sewn Skull. After embroidering the panel, he hand stitched it to black satin. I will be including his square with Tatman's, Citizen Agent's and mine. Our quilt, like the others, will be sold at an auction. The proceeds from the sales of all the quilts will go to Becky's Fund. I spoke with Becky yesterday and she will be at the First Friday part of our Skull Appreciation Day events.

Here is some information on the Skull Quilt Project:

The quilt blocks need to be 12"x12" in total size. This includes 1" around all sides of seam and ironing allowance. This means you have about 10"x10" of art space. Since these are art quilts, feel free to use any medium you wish that will adhere to a 12"x12" cotton square. Just decorate one side of the square and don't worry about finishing the edges. I will be sewing your square to other squares, to make a quilt. I'll be making multiple quilts, so I will match yours up with other participants squares of similar colors or themes. Each quilt will be three squares x three squares, a total of nine squares. If you want, get together with your friends and make nine blocks that have similar colors, so I can make one quilt with them. Need more inspiration, check our other submissions.

Send your finished skull quilt squares to:

Skull-A-Day

PO Box 73236

Richmond, VA 23235

On a note sent with the piece, please include:

Your name

Your city, state and/or country

Your email - I will email you when your block arrives

If you have any questions about the project, feel free to email me at abby@skulladay.com

The deadline for us to receive the skull blocks is Saturday, May 28, 2011. This is so we can sew the quilts in time Skull Appreciation Day. The quilts will be auctioned off at and after the June 4th event. Proceeds from these quilts will go to Becky's Fund, which is an organization that helps victims of domestic violence.

If you aren't the quilt square type person, or want something to do something a bit different for the event, make a piece of Mail Art. These will be on display at the event.

Dia de la Abby #50: Chalk Pastel Skull

The design of this piece was inspired by Nazca skulls. This is also a reference for the skull sculpture I'm making for the "Skulls" exhibition of our Skull Appreciation Day event at Gallery 5.

Recently, I went on a vacation with my family. During a stop in Savannah, GA we saw beautiful artwork by the SCAD students, in Forsyth park at the Sidewalk Arts Festival. The use of artist chalk to create the vivid designs, inspired me to make something of my own. Mine is not as vivid, due to using a different quality of chalk. In making mine, it was neat to work with my hands using a medium that I'm unfamiliar with. I used black cardstock, so the white of the skull would be vivid and the shadows darker than they would be on white paper. I wasn't able to find a video tutorial that was similar to how I made my piece. It's an easy medium to work with, so I recommend just experimenting with it. The chalk blends very easily. If you don't want to use your fingers to blend the chalk, you can use a cotton swab. I prefer my fingers as a blending tool. However, a damp cotton swab can be useful to remove unwanted chalk. And, a dry one, to blend small areas. The finished piece has to be be sealed with either hair spray (the cheaper, the better) or a spray matte varnish (like Valspar brand). As normal, I used my handy skull model as a reference for light and shading.


Every week in the 4.0 year, I will post my own Dia de la Abby posts as well as a tutorial with instructions on how I made my piece. Hopefully you feel inspired by my posts just as I was by Noah's Skull-A-Day 1.0 daily project. Need more of me than just a weekly dose, follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook.

Two Headed Cat Skull

Pixie in Los Angeles, CA submitted this image, as part of her own daily project. "I'm creating a two headed cat everyday for a year. This image doubles as both a skull and a cat!"

What would be the advantage of a two headed cat? Well, there would be more furry cat to snuggle. There would be two mouths to feed, but only one belly. I imagine if it ran around like my one headed cat does, it
would take a tumble from the extra weight of a second head. Though I'm sure it would just stare around and pretend that didn't happen. There would be double meowing, which could be annoying, but maybe there would be double purring, which would be nice.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in today's drawing to win a button just leave a comment below stating: What animal would you like to be two headed?

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include your email, so we can contact you if you win!

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest.

Sugar Skull Inspiration

Dorian Weiss of Lake Worth, FL told us: “I made these around Halloween. A dollar store had these styrofoam heads that looked like sugar skulls and I got the idea to paint them and ornament them with ribbons, studs, flowers, trinkets, and charms.


Artist Alinne Tattoo wrote: “A skull stone I painted to hold the door because of the wind.”



Cane C says:

I am always impressed by the cohesiveness of the art of sugar skulls. Thousands of different artists explore this genre of art and they always seem to hit the archetype never leaving a question about what image they are trying to capture. Thank you both for submitting your work for us to share and adding to keeping this genre current.


Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: What are you planning on doing for Skull Appreciation Day?

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you!
(Either your e-mail in the post OR make sure your profile has an e-mail link for you. If all else fails drop us an email to our submission address with your profile name. )

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Steamrolled Skull Banner

Ward Walker Jr. of Austin, TX sends us this bold banner along with this note, "The attached image is of a print I made using a Steamroller as a press. The image is 4'x6' on cloth and printed from 3 blocks, each one cut as a puzzle piece so they lock together for printing. The blocks were printed on March 5th, 2011 at the University of Texas at Austin during Explore UT day. My representation of the band (the BenTones) is intended to portray them at a very basic level, and without the "details" one usually sees to identify them."



Okay, you had me at "steamroller". How in the world you did it I don't know, but I am saddened that I didn't get to witness it. Throw in the fact that this is a pretty kick ass banner and you've got yourself one heck of an awesome stage prop. It reminds me a bit of Slayer's Live Undead album cover with more of a classy stage presence. Thanks for sharing your amazing display with us, Ward!


Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway
To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: what you would name your skull band. I know my choice is already taken, but GWAR has such a nice ring to it.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Skull-O-Phone with Skull Birds

Lindsey Bird submitted this skull and birds piece. She explains, "..my submission is a hand built ceramic sculpture that I fondly call my Skull-o-phone with skullbirds. I've shown this piece in a couple gallery showings under the title "A Little Bird Told Me to Dial 'D' for Death" as this piece is about the death of the rotary phone with the rise of cell phones. The bird motif is also a play on my last name. Fun Fact: the markings on both the "skull-o-phone" and the skullbirds can never ever be reproduced as the birds were fired in a wood kiln relying on temperature fluctuations, where the flame reaches the pieces, and where the ash from the wood burning falls onto the piece. The same goes for the skull as it was fired in a soda kiln which involves adding chemicals to a kiln to produce an orange peel type texture and I had no control where the texture or color would be apparent."

I like the style of the skull and birds. The color variances add an antique feel to the pieces. I've had many rotary phone, growing up. I like the weight of the phone and sound of the rotary turning. I can see a real one being made similar to this one. I like the very old one with the rounded base, tall cylinder for the mouth piece and an ear piece that hung off the side of the cylinder. The kind that might work for a skull one, would be the square base (or in this case, a skull base) with pieces that go up to hold the hand set. If the ear and mouth pieces connected with a tree branch or long bone, and with two birds resting on the handle, the piece would be a beautiful piece, to use for a real conversation.


Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in today's drawing to win a button just leave a comment below stating: Who would you call on a skull rotary phone? I would call Edgar Allan Poe up and ask him to meet up for a drink.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include your email, so we can contact you if you win!

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest.

Sunday Simulacra - Version 4.49

This week's round of simulacrum give us something to chew on...literally. Food has always been a favorite medium for skull makers and the skull hunters are ready to bring their share to the table.

Brian Burkhardt writes, "This screaming green skull showed up in my salad from Zoës Kitchen here in Brentwood, TN the other day."



Tony Ridder was at dinner with his kids when they pointed this delectable fellow. I totally agree when he told us, "It's Kind of scary when it is Sushi..."



Fred Hochart recently enjoyed this nice piece of skullified octopus in France.



Thanks again to all of you for helping us serve up another delicious round of secret skulls amongst us. Now let's eat!

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway
To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: What your skull likes to eat. Mine likes a medium rare steak with bleu cheese on top.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Color Warping Skull

High Falls, NY is where today's warping skull originates. Illustrator Peter Forsythe sent this colorful character on a trip through time and space, and it makes it's way through our site today.



Destination unknown....or do you know where this skull is heading? Some point in the universe that's randomly chosen by chance? An amazing display is accompanying this skull on it's journey so there'll be lots to see on the way there. Thanks for shooting it in our direction, Peter!


Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway
To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: where you think this skull's final destination lies.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you (either an e-mail in the post OR make sure your Blogger profile has an e-mail link for you on it).

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

Skull Drawings

Tattoo artist ºoO Sooz in South Brazil told us: “I have been following your amazing blog for a while, and love all the crazy skull stuff you have there! In order to improve myself as a tattoo artist I got this idea from a friend ;) to draw a skull a day for a year.”







Real C says:

Congratulations of your venture into the 365 world, I really like how you have expiremented with the skull idea, my favorite of today's set is the last one and your exploration into how to break the image of the skull's features into negative space opposed to adding them as details after. Thank you for submitting your work and much success to you for the remaining 365 drawings you have ahead of you.

Skull Appreciation Day Daily Button Giveaway

To be entered in the drawing just leave a comment below stating: What would a Skull do for self improvement? Maybe have its teeth whitened?

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to include a way to contact you!
(Either your e-mail in the post OR make sure your profile has an e-mail link for you. If all else fails drop us an email to our submission address with your profile name. )

NOTE: If you're reading this on Facebook, be sure to leave your comment on the original Skull-A-Day.com post if you want to be actually entered in the contest

[Flashback Friday] #10 United Skull Of America

Welcome to another addition of Flashback Friday.** This year the guest editors, Citizen Agent, Azurafae, and myself, Tatman, are taking turns counting down our personal favorite 17 skulls from the Original 365.25 Year. So please join us as we visit the archives and add our additional commentary on some of the original pieces.

4. 10. United Skull Of America





The United Skull Of America might not be my #1 favorite, but it deserves so much more than a #4 ranking deserves. I am firstly a proud American, so seeing the states of my country formed into a skull touches a special place in my heart. The first piece amazed me in the time that it probably took to arrange them to the perfect shape. Then Noah went and did it again to include all 50 states. After that he topped it all off by creating a 9ft. tall version cut from wood for his skull exhibition After Life. The progression of this piece has taken on a life of it's own and you can even help that by sporting a t-shirt with this design as well. Thanks to the Skull Master for taking the old U.S. of A. on another skullified trip!

**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.

Dia de la Abby #49: Sand Skull

Sorry for the lateness of this one. I'm on vacation in the South. I was hoping our main hotel in Florida would be close to the beach, so I could draw a skull in the sand, but it wasn't. Today, we spent 8 hours in the car, traveling to our next hotel in Myrtle Beach, SC. This hotel is on the beach. Once we checked in, I promptly went to the beach to draw a quick skull before the tide washed it out. The internet in the room just started working. Tomorrow, I will make something more detailed on the beach and try to post it...if the internet is still working.

Edit: The weather was cold and rainy for the remainder of our trip. I wasn't able to make something different.

Every week in the 4.0 year, I will post my own Dia de la Abby posts as well as a tutorial with instructions on how I made my piece. Hopefully you feel inspired by my posts just as I was by Noah's Skull-A-Day 1.0 daily project. Need more of me than just a weekly dose, follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook.