David Lozeau creates Day of the Dead art in a
non-traditional way, injecting modern, Lowbrow style into the centuries-old Dia
de los Muertos subject matter. He paints unique, expressive skeleton characters
and layers enamel over acrylics and gouache to achieve fine details and a
smooth, bright finish for his graphic novelesque presentation. This is his way
of celebrating and paying homage to his favorite time of year.
The Day of the Dead takes place on November 2nd as a way to
pay tribute to the departed. Similar to the November 1st Catholic holiday
"Día de los Inocentes," which honors children or infants who have
passed, el Día de los Muertos is steeped in the tradition of celebrating life
through music, dance, food, art, prayer, and family togetherness.
Sentimental offerings, or "ofrendas," such as
bread, toys, candy, flowers, and pictures are placed upon candle-adorned altars
or graves as gifts to loved ones, while wood, clay, tin, and paper are
transformed into whimsical skull masks and sculptures to exchange and display.
Catrina, an elegant, skeletal woman made famous by printmaker José Guadalupe
Posada in the early 1900s, is one of the most recognizable figures in the Day
of the Dead holidays and still permeates and influences Mexican Folk Art today.
David wearing Pizza Beret
Millions of people around the world now celebrate the Day of
the Dead and, in Southern California, it's easy to be inspired by the calaveras
and orange marigolds woven into street art, intricate scrollwork pinstriped
onto lowriders, and sugar skull tattoos inked onto body parts. Every year, you
can find Lozeau live painting at events that highlight the historical and
cultural significance of the celebration.
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