Sugar Skull Inspired Calaveras

Sugar Skull Inspired Calaveras grew from both tradition and personal memory. The painted skulls pay tribute to my friends and family who have passed, each one shaped by pieces of their lives—their favorite colors, the symbols that remind me of them, the energy they carried. Drawing on the spirit of Día de los Muertos sugar skulls, I wanted these works to feel alive and full of personality, not somber. Using gouache, ink, and acrylic markers, I approached each calavera as both a portrait and a celebration—a way to honor those I love while keeping their spirit present in color, texture, and form.