Author: Michele B. Naquaiya

I'm an artist/illustrator living in Mexico. I'm exploring life through art and the art of the journal with pictures and a few words.
AI Art

Tree of Love

Michele B. Naquaiya

Dah, I grew up in a world of old fashioned values. They were old when I was born, and now they are really old. How can one maintain positivity and a sense of humor when people treat each other so badly? Here’s an idea; do what you think is right. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Throw the guns away. Read. Shut your mouth. Listen for a change. Think. There. That’s enough for today.

AI Art

Day of the Dead Celebration for Dancing Skeletons in Sepia

Michele B. Naquaiya

The two days of Los Dias de los Muertos, the Mexican Days of the Dead, represent the most important celebration of the year in Mexico, especially in rural areas. Celebrated on the Catholic holy days of November 1, All Saints’ Day, and November 2, All Souls’ Day, the occasion is a joyful time of remembrance, family reunion, and feasting, as relatives and friends gather together to honor their loved ones who have died. Calavera is Spanish for “skull”. It is also applied to edible or decorative skulls made from either sugar and can be highly decorated with icing.

I have chosen the color sepia as it is the most beautiful of inks and can enrich any drawing by offering itself in light, medium and dark tones. Find this art on TeePublic.

loving mexico

‘Tis the Season, or closing in towards holidays, tourists, party lovers, worshipers.

Michele B. Naquaiya

Now that I have been living in Mexico for five years, things are starting to gel and make sense. I thought I understood Day of the Dead when I came here. I discovered I did not. Two years ago I sat with friends on a dark November 2 night. We lit candles and they made a lovely altar with flowers and food for the deceased. We gave offerings to our departed. The gift I chose was oranges for my beloved brother because he could never get enough oranges. He would even scrape the pulp from the fruit with his teeth. I always remember him eating oranges, whenever he could. Putting his picture on the altar and seeing him there with all the other spirits made me cry. I wondered why was I here, in another country, kind of alone. We shared little stories about the deceased and I began to understand how sacred and special these days of celebration and how healing they are. Death is a celebration, not an ending.

I have grown to love Dia De Los Muertos because I finally can allow all the tears to flow and remember my lost family and forever treasure them without sorrow. They never leave us, they are always there, just as we will be there for them.

I will post all the art I have created for this time of year for the next few months. It keeps me going and is a great inspiration in the face of a dark and darkening world. Here is a link if you wish to purchase this art. I would be grateful.