Halloween - The Two Days After

Greetings!  All Hallows Eve (Halloween) is on Wednesday, October 31st, which of course is followed by All Saints' Day, on November 1st, and All Souls' Day, on November 2nd.  These are holidays observed by most Roman Catholic Churches, as well as many Anglican, Episcopalian, and Eastern Orthodox Churches.  Although both of the latter holidays are considered important, el Día de los Muertos, or All Souls Day, is the one most closely observed by many Mexican and other Latin American descendants - click here for further information in my 2011 post.  My tag was inspired by this holy-day.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

I used most of the techniques featured in Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2012 - October.  I followed Tim's background technique, except I used a leaf stamp to simulate a graveyard.  As to the dry glittering technique, I did not tint mine, because I used one of Tim's grungeboard skull shapes instead of his BOO and spider shapes.  To get a sugar skull feel, I used various colors of Distress Stickles and crackle accents on the orifices.  Sugar skulls are left as offerings on loved one's graves and altars by some believers in Mexico.  To enhance the graveyard feel, I added an orange fabric flower and some paper flowers.  Marigolds are a traditional flower during this holiday, so I thought my orange flower had the right feel.  I also hand lettered a label stating Descansa en Paz (Rest in Peace).  I finished my tag by adding a spray of various orange ribbons, a Tim Holtz "journey" token, a mother of pearl cross, and some glass beads.

© Arnoldo L. Romero 2012

In my family, we attended special services during All Souls' Day and took flowers to our loved ones' gravesides.  However, growing up in Mexico, I was aware of these traditional celebrations that are a blend of Pre-Colombian and Roman Catholic traditions.  Therefore, I'm dedicating this tag to my father, the late Right Reverend Leonardo Romero, DD, whom always supported my artwork. Blessings!