All Hallows unto the Day of The Dead

Halloween is a holiday my friend Michael and I celebrated together; liking all things 'ooky and spooky'. Totems and symbols. This year he is not with us and at first, I wasn't in the mood to do a collage, but then if just felt right to celebrate with him the day of the thinning of the veil, opening into other realms.

This collage includes an 'icon' of Michael with glorious bat wings; bats being one of his totems.  I began these Michael icons at Christmas, before his passing. I'm not sure he ever saw the card I sent him in Yule costume. Since then his icon has shown up in collages and cards in various guises. Interestingly to me, they are based on a somewhat recent photo Michael sent me, but with time and distance, I never actually was with him looking this way.  Yet, it seems a perfect way to hold and honor his energy.

Hallows

Tomorrow, November 1st, is The Day of Dead,  and here we  remember, celebrate and honor those who have 'passed' from our lives, from this realm to another.  Mexican culture does this in a grand way as Dia De Muertos, with art and food and the famed carved skeletons in scenes of life.  Here is a wonderful overview from The Grace Museum in Abilene, Texas.

This is a very personal collage of mine, first created several years ago and updated a couple of times. My sister, Jacqui is an 'update' and she is prominent in the front. Behind her is Michael as how I most remember him.

Day of the Dead - Dia De Muertes

Regarde' my dear ones.

Anthony and Rose, my parents. Elizabeth, my Grandmother. Julia, from Chicago days, Peter dear friend and archeology compatriot, Helen, dearest soul friend, Julia, wise friend, Martha, soul journeyer, Oscar, dancer with Wicca, Christian, mystic, Dave, astral journeys, Pat, magical being, Michael, brother in spirit, Jerry, mystic and artist, Jim, opener of realms, Jacqui Rose, precious sister.

Till another time.

Halloween

I used to really celebrate Halloween, with costume fun and parties.  Helping my child find or make the perfect costume and all the Trick or Treaters at the door. Not so much these days, but I can still explore those oook-spooky  and Between the Realms themes in collage.

 My friend Jess, often my muse, is thoroughly enjoying the Halloween season and she is the inspiration of this collage.  

Halloween Hostess collage

 

Not specifically Halloween, but certainly oooky spooky.

I Still Repeat The Things You Said  collage

 

And for that Between the Realms aspect...

Ascension collage

 

and they even provide a sign to show the way.  But a decal is required!

 

 

Till next time.

A Room of One's Own Meets Purple Mischief in The Golden Age

These collages were not done in a sequence and yet they do seem to travel well together. 

Here I've composed an altered/alternate view of my office/studio The little horse is vintage plaster ware and he is known as Tony the Pony.  My compatriot in this collage is, of course, Frida Kahlo.  I altered her Blue House studio, added one of my favorite paintings to the easel and incorporated one of my favorite Fridas.

A Room Of One's Own

Purple Mischief has a All Hallows Eve feel and is perfect for an October post,  but they were just all the odd elements I was attracted to when it was created.  Halloween elements are an all-around vibe in this house.

Purple Mischief

Golden Age joins the Halloween vibe, and has many dark elements, as it were,  but it too was composed in a season of it's own.

 

Golden Age

 

 

Halloween, Hallows, Day of the Dead

 Hidden Realms,  the Veil Between Worlds, Magick and Mystery, Celebrating Loved Ones Gone. Embrace the Moon. Listen to the Earth. Invite the Others.  This is that time of the year.

 

Michael @ Hallows collage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day of the Dead - Mi Dio de los Muretos collage

 

For Anthony & Rose, Elizabeth, Julia C, Peter, Helen, Martha, 

Oscar, Christian, Dave, Pat, Jerry, Julia H and Jim

 

Hallows Past...

Frida at Hallows collage

 

 

Bad Dolly Trick or Treat collage

 

I Still Repeat the Things You Said collage

All Halloweend collage

 

Halloween. Oooky Pooky!

Halloween.  All Hallowed. The veil between the realms is thinned.  The dark mysteries can be glimpsed at.  We can dance and explore behind our mask and costume.  Some of these collages were made just for the season.  Others are just apropos.

Spirits @ News Virginian

Bad Dolly Trick or Treat

Crow Sisters Dark Matter

I Still Repeat The Things You said

Ascension

All Saints Frida

Happy Halloween!

Oh that time of year for oooky pooky.. 

Bad Dolly Trick or Treat

And here are some previous All Hallows inspired collage

All Saints Frida

All Hallowed Ween

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ascension

Ascension was not created for Halloween, inspired by the actual Ascension sign in Savannah, it certainly fits the bill.

Some of these images were acquired from Mischief Circus, a fantastic source of images and inspiration.  Like hey, it's called Mischief Circus after all.

Dark Matter Series - Halloween and Dark Mysteries

Recently my husband introduced me to the term Dark Matters of the Mind.  He discovered it as the title of a book exploring all that occurs in the unseen, 'dark side of the moon' as it were, aspects of the brain.  But really isn't it such an evocative phrase??

It sequed right into the mood I've been dancing with lately and inspired me to delve into my 'dark palette' of images, many of which are associated with Halloween and dark mysteries.

Although I brought a certain emotional background to these collages, they are not really telling a specific story. Rather the images I was drawn to evoked the story that emerged.  I get to be part of the mystery as it goes along.  And in the end, I may or may not know the 'end of the story.'  

Secrets

I Still Remember The Things You said

Crow Sisters

All Hallows Eve, Art and Fashion

Halloween always asks for a collage or an oooky pooky assemblage.  But this year, inspired by Frida Kahlo, I'm in an All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day mood, thinking of those who have passed. But yeah, with a bit of the oooky pooky too. Thanks to Mischief Circus for some inspiring images.

All Hollows Eve

Got a lovely respite in Ashville, NC thanks to dearhearts Liz and Morris.  We went  a bit out of town to Hendersonville, NC and came across Art on 4th. There a many places to get 'gift-ie' art in Hendersonville,  but Art on 4th is truly a gallery.  Wonderful stuff, great people and you've got to love their motto 'Where love at first sight, happens all the time.' 

To top it all off, they even made a great lunch recommendation and we had a fine Shepherd's Pie at Hannah Flannigans Pub.

Art On 4th - Hendersonville, NC

The background image in Fashionistas was found in the trash and happily passed along to me by the wonder-full Mimi.  She knows what makes me happy. Just needed a little amping, of course.  And the original image didn't have animals heads on the lovely high-fashion models - you knew that! - but they were certainly called for.  And pink cake!  Necessary. Totally.

Fashionistas

Halloween Ooky Pookiy & Day of the Dead

I have an affinity to these two holidays and there was a time that I went all out.  These days noodling around with collage is how I celebrate.  I had planned to do a series of such collages, but Life had other things I needed to attend to, so just these two got to 'come to life.'  A special nod to Mischief Circus for some of the Halloween images.  Boo.

Oooky Pooky - All Hallowed Ween 

These Dead Are Made For Walking