Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family who have died. The celebration takes place on November 1st (All Saints' Day) and November 2nd (All Souls' Day), Catholic holidays. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, skeletons, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed.

I have taken notice of this holiday over the past number of years and have come to love the art associated with it. Since my brother, Patrick, died in September of 2010, I decided to take part in Dia de Bloglandia this year. I had mentioned in a previous post that I planned to make a shrine in honor of Patrick for this event. That did not happen. However, I work in my sketchbook every night in bed with micro pens. I've been working on the above drawing in honor of Patrick and the things he loved in this life. Rather than be sad, I like the idea of celebrating his life with color and mention of his earthly loves. I think it would make him happy to know that he is being remembered and honored.

Now that I have an appreciation for this holiday and what it stands for, I plan to create more Day of the Dead art and to take part in this celebration each year honoring all friends and family who have died.

On November 1st and 2nd, if you click on the Dia de Bloglandia photo in the upper left corner, you will be taken to the blog, where you will see the many tributes (in both words and art) of those bloggers who signed up to participate.