Whenever I think of Dia de los Muertos, I picture ornately decorated skulls and whimsical skeletal scenes.
Even though the holiday is synonymous with skeletons and skulls, Day of the Dead is actually a celebration of life! On November 1st in Mexico, people gather to remember & honor family members & friends who have passed away. The idea is that even though the deceased are no longer with us physically, they are with us spiritually. For those who celebrate this holiday, the memories of past times are alive and well.
For artist John Karpinsky, the same can be said about his childhood memories of Star Wars. His Guerra de las Galaxias prints are a “tribute to characters of my youth, an invitation to the celebration of that cultural phenomenon that shaped my life so long ago.” I’ve been an admirer of John’s work ever since I first saw his prints on Tumblr last year. I loved how beautifully he fused Star Wars with the traditional Dia de los Muertos artistic style.
So when my birthday rolled around this year, my boyfriend surprised me with the greatest gift of all—13 prints from John Karpinsky’s Guerra de las Galaxias collection! What a guy. When I opened the box and started looking through the artwork, I was amazed at the vibrancy of the colors, not to mention the incredible detail in each print. As a lover of Star Wars and a Mexican-American gal, John’s art perfectly encapsulates who I am. Whether it’s the ornately tribal Stormtrooper or the X-Wing Fighter Pilot with roses in his eyes, I’m in love with all of his designs. In fact, I’ve dedicated an entire wall in my living room to displaying his artwork!
There was also another little surprise in the box from John Karpinsky himself! <happy dance>
I was so touched by this special birthday card John created for me! I must admit, I got a little teary-eyed. The detail in my Death Star costume is astounding. He even included the tiny stars on my tights! And the little Ewok piñata…I can’t repel cuteness of that magnitude! Thank you John for making my birthday so memorable!!!
For more on John Karpinsky’s work, check out his store on Etsy. The quality of his artwork is impeccable! If you want to infuse your home or office with a little Star Wars magic, then these are the prints you’re looking for. No Jedi Mind Trick necessary. ; )
