Dia de Los Muertos is about respect, remembrance, and celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed. I love the colorful, joyful spirit of this holiday that originated in Mexico. Families and friends make ofrendas (altars) that feature photos of those who have passed, their favorite foods and drink, and other reminders of the lives they lived. In my area of the world, both El Paso, Texas and Mesilla Vieja, NM host vibrant celebrations with dancing, parades, music, and processions to gravesites.

The mixed media pieces on this page are based on a photo of a skeleton that I saw and photographed several years ago in Mesilla Vieja. I used the gel plate to create photo transfers which I embellished with collage papers, also created on the gel plate.

The photographs below give an idea of the of the color and the lively spirit of Dia de Los Muertos in the region where I live.