Demeter

I have returned to making altars again in preparation for the 2017 Comic Con. I received a serendipitous gift of hundreds of tiny pewter jewelry bits. I made Demeter as a thank you gift for the friend who gave me these items. Demeter is the Greek Goddess of grain and the harvest as well as the renewal of growing things. I always try to show gratitude for anything I receive that helps me in my art. Gratitude in general is a way of life for me. Being thankful for the good things in life makes us aware of our surroundings and situations.

Muertos Altar, Halloween, and Samhain

Dia de los Muertos (Nov. 1st.- Nov 2nd.) is a beautiful holiday of remembering and honoring your ancestors and those who have crossed over. My heritage is not Hispanic but as a child I spent many hours in Mexico with my parents who loved every aspect of the culture. By creating an altar with many of the traditional elements, it reflects this culture that they found so enchanting. There is a crossover as well with my own Pagan beliefs of Halloween/Samhain and the hour when the veil between the worlds is thin.

This is a wonderful time to reflect on the people you love and feel their spirits surround you again. Wishing All a Happy Halloween, Blessed Samhain and a joyous Dia de los Muertos.

Marie Laveau and Bellemort

I am making numerous altars in preparation for Comic Con. Marie Laveau has always been an icon and inspiration to me. She was known as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans in the 1800's and her tomb still receives offerings today. She was a mystical and powerful woman. Her altar contains an iridescent snake, a tiny skull, Spanish Moss, animal bones and bright twinkling seed beads. The three xxx's represent the marks on her tomb from those who come to ask favors.

Bellemort was made as an altar for Death and Rebirth. Numerous butterflies with skull heads flit about to show the transitions between death and the spirit world. The skeletons rise towards the heavens and a snake of knowledge carries the key to the unknown. Flowers and leaves all represent the continuing cycle of life.