Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dia de los Muertos?

Dia de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated by many countries all over the world. Most commonly associated  with Mexico's Day of the Dead. However, the holiday is celebrated in different forms in the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America to name a few.

 Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd and coincides with  All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day. Day of the Dead is said to be the day those who have past on come back to this world to visit their loved ones. Many cultures, not just Spanish speaking countries celebrate this holiday by celebrating the life of the dead.

Family, friends and loved ones show their love by creating an array of items, such as cooking the deceased favorite foods, putting clothes out, playing their favorite music, creating a special Day of the Dead bread (pan de muertos) created just for this occasion, and creating Day of the Dead Alters.

Some alters are larger than life and some families keep them small and personal and create their alters in their homes.

The Day of the Dead Alters are a beautiful sight. They contain photos of those who have past on, favorite foods, drinks, candles, and you can find the alter covered in marigold flowers.

Marigolds are used on alters and also as a crumb trail. It is said if you create a trail of marigolds from tombstone to your home, that the spirit of a loved on can follow you home.

The holiday consists of parades, festivals and other festivities.  The holiday is more of a celebration than a day of mourning. Day of the Dead celebrates life and pays respect to all those who we know and love that have past on to the next life. It is a holiday I hold very close to me.

Kimberly's Beliefs

The paintings and artwork shown on My Day of the Dead might be considered morbid to most. The skulls and the theme of death that plays out in many of the pieces might appear morbid, but in actuality it is a look inside the cultures that believe in the after life and who celebrate Day of the Dead because death affects all of us throughout our lives.  Death is not something that many people put much thought into until it occurs. Family members, family pets, friends, and loved ones have or will eventually pass on.

The paintings and artwork that I create promotes the healthy speaking about life and death. Whether people believe in the after life or not,  death is a part of life and thinking about it is not wrong or unhealthy, but rather a celebration of life.
 

Life after Death

Through personal experiences I believe in the life after. Many people have also encountered spirits of loved ones or even unknowns ones.  For those of you who are interested in reading or learning more about the life after I recommend reading a book I read from time to time: Embraced by the Light.
 

Fellow Artists (such as Frida)

 Frida was a beautiful person inside and out who lived a life of many pains that are reflected in many of her own art pieces. She once said that "I paint my own reality. The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration." Many people, myself included, paint what's on their mind, what they envision, and what they think about it and live through. Painting and creating art is an expression of thoughts and ideas. Frida's paintings have inspired me to do that.