Halloween and the Day of the Dead October 2014

Day of the Dead Sugar Skull, face painted by Stephanie, Colour.me-in.co.nz.

Do we love Halloween? We certainly do! 
It was a really fun end of the month with both Children's Halloween celebrations and the Blood bath R18 event in Christchurch. Face painting opportunities galore!
It's easy to assume Halloween and the Day of the Dead are the same celebration, as they are held over the same period (October 31st - November 2nd) but that isn't the case. I did a bit of background reading for the sugar skull designs I was asked to paint this month. The sugar skulls are not designed to spook and scare, but to celebrate those who have passed. Hence the floral designs and petals around the eye sockets. In Mexico it's a public holiday. Friends and family gather and pray for their deceased.  Celebrations include sugar skulls, marigolds, eating favourite foods and leaving gifts on the graves of loved ones.