Day of the Dead - 2009   by Kathy Cunningham 10" x 12" x 15" Acrylic painting on a pre-cast skull made of synthetic latex, with an original wire wreath on a wooden board. The skull is painted with acrylic and represents the four elements - Air, Water, Fire, and Earth.  These come together to form a cross both in the front and the back of the skull.  The space between the elements is painted with the three traditional colors of the Day - Purple (mourning), Pink (celebration), and White (hope).  The eye and nose sockets are lined with gold foil. The skull rests on a wreath made of copper wire, leaves, and marigolds.  The leaves and marigolds have been fired with glass enamel and are attached.  Tradition says that the scent of marigolds is the passageway for the spirits to travel between the grave and Earth on All Souls Day. The skull and wreath rest on a wooden base with title plates on the front and back.