Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery 2009

It's that time of the year when we remember our relatives who have passed on to the other side. Dia de los muertos is becoming just as popular as Christmas. I prefer the Day of the Dead a lot more than Halloween. This year we went to celebrate at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery where there were altars, music, vendors and grave sites. It was a an amazing visual experience. Here is my gal in her princess costume and her face painted like a calavera. She loved it as much as I did. It's nice to have a companion to enjoy these wonderful experiences. Click on this link: Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Dia de Los Muertos  to see the website.

Life size paper mache sculpture in the mausoleum. 

My sister with Toot watching a performance in the mausoleum. 

Toot was also drawn to these two women (men?). Their costumes and makeup were wild. I wish I had taken a better photo.

This was the stage background. It was enormous and beautiful. I was reminded of my childhood when we would go to Tijuana. In Tijuana I was mesmerized by all the amazing colors and smells that were so different from here at home. I want my girl to experience as many places and events like this while she is young so that she may also have the connection of my family's culture.  

Oh! and we got to see and hear Lila Downs perform on this stage. Great voice and performer! A first for all of us.

I will leave you with these photos of our experience. Celebrate! May you have a safe and fun Halloween or Dia de los Muertos and remember your family and friends who have gone on to the spirit world.

Earthworm and A Ladybug Feasting on Aphids.

Pleased to say that I've finished a couple of small pieces. Well, almost finished. I still need to add string or wire so they may be hung.

This is an earthworm. Worm compost inspired.

I do love this piece! Nice flowing lines on the worms outline. My favorite green and I do like the contrasting pink. The black lines are grass. Earth and grass meeting at the bottom.

Ladybug feasting on aphids.

Today we worked on a leaf painting project that kept us busy for a while. The leaves we collected were from our front and backyard. Finger painting the leaves was a lot easier than using the brushes I first had her use. It's refreshing to watch Toot dive into the paints and not be afraid to get her fingers full of paint. The paints are non-toxic.

We glued the leaves beside their print and I put them in a clear sleeve to keep them for memories.

As you can see Tootie is also learning how to write. She can write her name without my spelling it out for her. All other words she asks me to spell out and she'll meticulously write each letter with great care. She likes making lists for when we go to the farmer's market. The last list she made had a single word, "Strawberries".