I recently moved from a city that had a large hispanic population. Through different activities within my community I had the opportunity to get a good look into our own city's Day of the Dead celebration. The celebration takes the percieved darkness of death and throws in a festive twist. The day is NOT supposed to be scary like halloween or depressing like a sad funeral.

In my painting, which is looser than my typical style, I srarted with a dark, low spirited painting of black, red, and muted white. The painting was fractured, distressed, pained. The white swatches almost look like grave stones, although I admit that was not the literal representation I was going for. Over top of it I sprinkled color, like a little parade of confetti or flowers, and created a path through the center. The colors are not unlike those I found within the homes of my hispanic friends (in abundance.) The overall effect I believe is very festive!