Well, in a complete oversight, I forgot that I had thrown out the old Halloween makeup because it was, well, old. The idea was to do a full skull makeup on myself and post it. Turns out the only tools I had to work with were some powder and black eye shadow and liner, and some powder. So not as skully as I would have liked, but so be it :)

I want to thank everyone who joined me in the 2013 Skull challenge. It's been a blast, it's been a challenge, and I think if the universe wills it, I'll do it again next year. It was a great way to focus on art in some form every day, which I often don't get to do, when life gets in the way. And of course, skulls and horror are some of my favorite things, so it was a great way to play with them.

Happy Halloween everyone! Stay safe, but have a blast!

Peace!

This is the final draft of the design originally posted as skull art no 28. While the basic elements of the design were my son's ideas, he gave me free reign to create it. Feeling the first design was a bit too feminine and gentle looking, he asked me to modify it to make it a little less gentle, a little less feminine, and a little more creepy. I think I succeeded on all three requests. He was ultimately very happy with the final design, and thankfully, his tattoo artist was very skilled at translating it to the skin. Plus, I got kudos for being "cool mom" by the artists in the shop!

Peace!

I didn't go as far as some of the other skulls in terms of adding lots of details to this skull. I really liked the graphic look of the stark mask against the white skull, and so that's where I left it. On second glance, I didn't care for the horns being white, and so I went in and added the flesh tone, along with the painted base. Done and done :) This one reminds me of the clowns from the old French circus, and somehow feels a bit vintage to me as well. Hope you like it.

Peace!

This was the first draft of a design for my son, who wanted to commemorate his chosen career as a millwright. His idea was to combine the human and mechanical element, and I was honored that he once again came to me for a design. It's very flattering that my son has such confidence in me as an artist, and the tattoo artists in the shop were pretty impressed and more than a little surprised when he brought in the final image (which morphed into something a little less "gentle" than this one, you'll see it soon), and found out that his mommy was the one who drew it!

Peace

Sometimes I find big, blank pages in the sketchbook intimidating. The solution, sometimes, but not always, is to start somewhere in the middle and just start filling it with little ideas, free flowing and without direction. That's where these two little ones turned up, very loose, just little glimmers of ideas, but I like them anyway!

Peace!

Thankfully there seems to be a never ending supply of little dolls in second hand shops, just waiting to be turned into sad clowns! Another in the series of Skully Pops. I still haven't figured out why the Skullys feel the need to impale the little clowns once they've caught them. Maybe some day....

Peace!

I decided to go out of my comfort zone with colors on this skull, and try something a bit brighter and different. Is it me, or do the background colors make it make it look a little more like it's just been scalped? It was meant to be bright and cheery (as far as a skull can be)...I'm not sure if I succeeded at that, but I like it!

Peace!

Another in the series of Skully Pops - I never get tired of creating the sad little clowns and the vintage feel of the Skullys themselves. The challenge is in giving each one a unique feel and look. Enjoy!

Peace!

What can I say about this little one? She always wanted to be a blonde, and she got her wish. Was it in poor taste to raise her trophy high? Maybe she'll feel bad about it in the morning...but I doubt it!

Peace

Another little Skully Pop, with a sad, pretty little clown, but a happy little skully! Why the Skully girls feel the need to display the clowns once they've taken their heads remains a mystery!

Peace!

I don't only doodle while on the phone in my workshop or at the kitchen table. This one turned up while I was on hold at the Fido store trying to change my account...turns out the people that work at the store can't do it, you actually have to get on a phone and call someone who knows where. Ah well, just another opportunity to pull out my travelling sketchbook!

Peace!

When I made the first of these pieces, the name Skully Pop came to mind, and it seemed suitable...like a lollipop only different! I tried to impart a vintage feel into these, incorporating the "sad clowns", big bows, and Mary Janes on the feet. Are they cute? Well, I think they are. All in good fun :)

Peace!

This happy guy appeared in my sketchbook one morning while I was sitting in my car, filling up the entire page with his personality! Why one eyeball? Why not!

Peace

I don't know why this idea came to me one night in the workshop, but I try not to question these things :) I have never been particularly fond of clowns, and my dislike of dolls is what started the whole horror doll series in the first place, and so I present Skully Pops. Head on a stick, and of course, little skull doll and a little gore for good measure. This is the first one I made, and it had a vintage feel to it, so that's what I went with for the rest of the series which will be posted as part of the challenge.

Peace!

I've always been fascinated by the Day of the Dead tradition, and all the amazing and colorful art that goes along with it. Skull no. 17 is my monochromatic version of a Sugar Skull, maybe a bit more subdued than traditional, but why be normal?

As always, pop on over to the studio if you're interested in seeing the larger version :)

Peace!

One of the comments I'm sure all artists hear at one point or another is "where do you get your ideas?" I have no idea where this goofy little thing came from, she just appeared in my sketchbook one morning when I was sitting in my car. That's one of the beautiful things about doodles...if you just go with it, often you come up with something that even has you asking yourself...."where did I get THAT idea?".

Peace!

When I set out to post 31 pieces of skull art in 31 days, I didn't realize what a challenge it would be! I'm trying to keep it interesting by posting different styles daily, and I hope you are enjoying the journey with me.

Number 15 features a black web, with white highlights like dewdrops, and piercing eyes. Amazing what a tiny dot of white can achieve!

Peace

For once I wasn't on the phone when this little one appeared in my sketchbook. I'm not quite sure if she is a tattered bride, or a princess in the making, but this is a sketch that I will be taking further.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We took many bags of clothing, jackets and socks to the Living Room shelter on Alexander Street today, which made my Thanksgiving even more special. Dinner with family, and warm, dry items for those that need them most. Not to preach, but I am sending a reminder that the weather is getting colder and wetter, and if you are so inclined, this is a great time to drop off those items that you no longer use or want :)

Peace!

Number 13, lucky or unlucky?? I've always had a soft spot for it, so I'm going to say lucky :)

This little skull features a synthetic hair pony, wrapped in leather.

Peace

I wasn't able to send a message to my fans to announce today's skull (at least according to my computer, which screamed ERROR in red across the top of the page! Hopefully, anyone who is interested will remember to pop by the studio and have a look at another little skull with big personality :)

Part of the challenge with painting these small skulls was to make each one individual, and keeping the details clear on such a small surface. Some of the ideas were to reverse color schemes, add pupils, leave out pupils, etc. Another challenge is remembering to post every day!

Peace

This little character is yet another doodle that went a little further...that's what happens when the phone call is longer than usual. You can see from the tattered paper and notations around the page that my sketchbooks get a lot of wear and tear! It helps to remember not to think of the doodles as too precious, but maybe just a first step to a finished piece or a new idea. And of course, every skull needs a snazzy hat!

Peace

All this poor girl wanted was a lush ponytail to go with her fancy outfit and snazzy boots. Lucky for her she found what she needed, not so lucky for the donor. Question is...what do you do with the leftovers?

Peace

This skull was bigger than the ones posted so far, which means more room for detail! This piece combines some of my favorite things...skulls, roses, and tattoo inspired art.

Peace!

Today I walked into a shop called Spirit Halloween, and I was in my element! Zombies, skeletons, scary dolls and everything that makes Halloween what it is....Scary!!!! On the bright side, I spent only seven dollars, instead of the five thousand I would have liked to! If you love Halloween and you get a chance, check it out.

In the meantime, skull no. 8 is up, come on by and have a look :)

Peace

This sweet thing appeared, as so many sketches do, during a phone call when I picked up a pencil, as I always seem to do. It was a long call, giving me the opportunity to take it to a slightly more detailed finish than just a doodle. Why the bow? I don't know, it just seemed right at the time.

Thanks to everyone tuning in to check out the skulls in the challenge!

Peace

Spent a lot of time today working on a rather large, unusual ring. The client originally received it as a gift, which unfortunately, had very small prongs holding onto a very large stone, in an open setting with no support. First she noticed it started to wiggle, and then one of the prongs broke right off, and then she came to me for help. After some consultation with the client, we decided on a different design, with a similar spirit, showcasing the large light blue stone, but at the same time keeping it safe in its setting. It's definitely been a challenge, but I think I've hit the mark. For now, it's sitting in the pickle before final finishing and polishing, and then the nerve wracking job of setting the stone without chipping or cracking it!

I will post the before and after once it's finished.

In the meantime, skull no.6 is waiting for you to have a look!

Peace!

Another colored pencil doodle...appearing during a telephone conversation. As much as I enjoy sitting down to draw at other times, when I'm on the phone, I don't think about what's going from my brain, to my hand, to the pencil, and onto the paper. Sometimes even I am surprised by what appears!

Peace

Skull no. 4 is uploaded. Four days in, 27 to go. Now the challenge will be to remember to upload the images! Oh yeah, and create some more art.

Peace

Whew! Worked all day, council meeting until just after 9pm tonight, quick shower, but....skull no.3 in the challenge uploaded and waiting!

Peace!

I've decided to create a dedicated studio for this challenge, called "Skull Challenge 2013", where skull no.2 is now showcased and waiting. I hope you have as much fun with this as I do!

Peace

In honor of Halloween, I have set a goal to showcase a new artwork each day in October, with skulls as the theme. The pieces will range from simple sketches and doodles, to dolls, to painted skulls of different sizes.

I figure it's a good way to challenge myself, a good way to keep you entertained (I hope), and of course, a good way to keep the spirit of Halloween alive and well.

This first image is posted in my miscellaneous studio. Pop on by and have a look of you like.

Peace