Skulls

I hid a few of my skulls about Cornwall this Halloween.

Since about 2009 skull images have appeared regularly in my work. When I am drawing larger or more complicated images or doodles I tend to draw before I think (or think unconsciously instead of consciously) of what images I draw. Because of this, there is always an underlying reason for images which re-occur in my work.

With this skull motif it is no mystery to me. I have always liked the sugar skull images from Mexico's macabre but positive Day Of The Dead festival, when Mexican people celebrate the lives of their ancestors on November 1st and 2nd the day after our Halloween (not a coincidence!).
The sugar skulls and Catrinas also serve the living as a reminder of their mortality.

So, when I only have a moment and have to paint something that reflects me, I often do a skull. Over the last few years these have evolve into a sort of elephant's-foot-shaped pot!

Just like the sugar skulls, my skulls have always had a positivity about them but at the same time reflect an underlying message that nothing will last forever and that, underneath it all, every man is equal.

So, our Halloween season seems like a great time for me to get some of my skulls out there.

Halloweendow

Today I popped down to Falmouth and drew on a window.



The Q Bar is an ex-juice bar (called Quench before it got an alcohol license) these days it serves Falmouth's more discerning bohemian and hedonistic customers.



Every halloween they really go to town with fancy dress and even dress the bar from top to bottom along with theme. This year (tomorrow night) it's a "Rock n' Roll Macabreret" with a twisted circus theme complete with punk acrobats, jugglers and magicians.

Earlier this year the "old bar" that the loyal customers loved but was showing signs of age so they asked me to design and commission some furniture, develop a modest colour scheme and paint all over the walls (see earlier posts tagged: qbar).

The walls are a continued project and a huge source of interest and discussion for the staff and diverse range of customers. I am due down there very soon to add more!

The bar is located on the moor in Falmouth (opposite the post office) and the window painting will be on until this Sunday (1st Nov).