Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Framed Paintings at the San Juan Capistrano Library + October Sketches

Happy Halloween and Feliz Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead wishes!

I apologize for my long absence, I was under the weather and quite unfocused.  However, I am feeling better now and would like to share an upcoming event.  These framed pieces are my newest contribution to this year's Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead art exhibit at the San Juan Capistrano Library, there are also a few of my piece from last year featured as well.

The two large portraits are actually self portraits; one is darker and more abstract, one is more positive and idealized.  I submitted them to a different show, but the curator Skye Amber Sweet saw in them something more, she saw the feelings of life and death expressed in these two paintings and thus their inclusion in this show.  

San Juan Capistrano Library 

31495 El Camino Real

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Library 949-493-1752 

The festival exhibit dates are officially Sun. 10/1 - Thurs. 11/28; however, it looks like there will be art drop offs on 10/1 and pick ups on 11/28, so I'd suggest any of the dates between the two. 

Gallery / Library hours to view art outside reception date is as follows:

Monday-Thursday 10:00a - 7:00p

Saturday-Sunday 9:00a - 5:00p 

Fridays- CLOSED

The date of our Day of the Dead event and reception is Saturday, 11/3 from 12-3.  In addition to the art, the exhibit and festival will include:

Aztec Dancers

Free Face Painting

Ballet Folklorico

Mariachis

Sugar Skull Making and Crafts

Pop Up Poetry

Alex Ledante and I will try to be there, most likely towards the end.  We'd love to see you if you're in the area, it's a wonderful exhibit and festival.  I'll try to get some photographs when we go.

Edit 11/2: I've ran out of time to do a separate post for PPF today, so I am sharing these completed paintings.

Happy Paint Party Friday!  To see more participants, please visit:

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

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October 11-30 Sketches

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in October. They are all rough sketches.  I'm quite a bit behind in sharing my daily sketches, so I've grouped the images in groups of 5 so it isn't quite so overwhelming.  You may see them individually on facebook here.  You may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

Day 11:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a powerful gaze.  I think she is most likely a goddess, although she could also be a fairy angel or a mermaid.

Day 12:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She seems to have a joyful quality...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.

Day 13:  Here is a sketch of a mandevilla flower.  They seem like lovely flowers... 

Day 14:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has an expression of gentle concern...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess

Day 15:  Here is a sketch of a Virginia bluebell.  They have a charming form...

Day 16:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has an intensity to her...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess. 

Day 17:  Here is a sketch of a peony.  I love peonies...

Day 18:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She is adorned with flowers in her hair...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.

Day 19:  Here is a sketch of a dahlia flower and bud.  They stand upright and full of joy...

Day 20:  Here is a sketch of daffodil flowers.  They have a wonderful charm to them...

Day 21:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a gentleness in her gaze...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.

Day 22:  Here is a sketch of some apple blossoms.  They have a delicate beauty... 

Day 23:  Here is a sketch of a flamingo flower.  These flowers have a dynamic form...

Day 24:  Here is a sketch of a wild columbine.  They have different look than their domestic counterparts but are still quite lovely...

Day 25:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has an intense quality.  I think she is most likely a goddess, although she could also be a fairy angel or a mermaid.

Day 26:  Here is a sketch of a rugosa rose.  I love roses very much...

Day 27:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a touch of sadness in her eyes...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess. 

Day 28:  Here is a sketch of a labrador puppy.  It is one of two dogs I sketched for a project I am moving forward on, I've decided to go with the the older dog, but this little fellow is a sweetie.

Day 29:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has wildly flowing hair...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.

Day 30:  Here is a sketch of a sunflower.  They are such a joyful flower...