Tagging Through Autumn

Greetings!  Autumn doesn't only bring beautiful colors and cool temperatures, but memorable holidays as well.  El Día de los Muertos, Episcopal School's Day, and All Hallows' Eve are the three that inspired me during the past week.

Vivir Sonriendo para Morir Contentos
Mixed Media Collage
Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 - October
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Use a Rubber Stamp
ABC Wednesday - M is for "Muertos"
Inspiration Avenue - Faces
Try It On Tuesday - Textures
Ramona's Inspire Me Monday - Week #93
Word Art Wednesday
El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is actually a two day celebration in which people throughout Mexico remember loved ones whom have passed away.  November the first is dedicated to children, while November the second is dedicated to adults.  Memorial services are held by most Christian denominations and cemeteries are filled with flowers.  In addition, some families who preserve ancient traditions, may put up shrines in their homes in honor of the deceased which include Crucifix, sugar skulls, and marigolds.  I found an inspirational saying related to the celebration, which I added to my tag - "We must live life smiling to die happy."

Sugar Cookies
Lettering & Doodles
Craftitude Challenge #50 - Things with the Letter S
52 Photos Project: Gallery 25 {starts with a C}
Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #59
Lorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #63
Julia's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday
Ever since I was a Head of School, we have celebrated Episcopal School's Day at my church with a special service.  All the students, rather they are members or not, are invited to participate as ushers, acolytes, and lay readers.  It is truly a blessed event to have children and families from various faiths gathered together to praise the Lord.  This year, our wise youth group leader decided to have a bake sale after church to help raise money for all their various activities.  (Most of the youth group are also alumni, so I believe it was very appropriate.)  My daughter made some delicious sugar cookies.  In order to make them more marketable, I helped her display them in a basket and made a quick tag for it.  They sold out!

Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Watercolor, Calligraphy, & Paper Collage
Tag Tuesday - Tattered and Torn
Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday - Week 31/Year 3
Artists In Blogland: Scavenger Hunt {Doors and Windows}
Manon's Paper Saturdays
Alexandra's Sunday Sketches
Take a Word - Creepy
Collage Obsession - Patterns
The tag above was inspired by the classic narrative poem, "The Raven," which was published in January of 1845, by American author, poet, editor and literary critic, Edgar Allan Poe.  The poem is about a conversation between a man who is tattered and torn after the premature death of his love, Lenore, and a raven whose eerie response is always "nevermore."  Poe's masterful writing truly captured the melancholy and feeling of loneliness that may come after the passing of a loved one to most people.  Although this poem is set in a bleak December night, it is often read during Halloween due to it's eeriness.  However, Halloween, a contraction of All Hallows' Eve, is truly a time to prepare for the remembrance of the saints.

May your autumn days be filled with blessings!

Comments

Lin said…
Very interesting post, Arnoldo, I learned lots and enjoyed each of your projects! Thanks for sharing them with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!
Gloria j Zucaro said…
Good to see your unique art expressions again, Arnoldo. I love Halloween or maybe it is really Fall that I love. I have always been fascinated by crows/ravens, too and Poe has always been one of my favorites. Thank you for the memories. I enjoyed this post that combines traditions and holidays with fanciful pastimes.
Unknown said…
Fall has glorious colors. What's not to love? Your post is wonderful and the idea of tagging the cookies, genius. I would have bought some had I been there.
Victoria said…
Hi Arnoldo..fabulous post and tribute to this special season and honoring such beautiful traditions! I love all that you shared..beautiful! and I am super- captivated by your gorgeous raven..stunning....and Poe's poem!
Happy Creating..enjoy this festive season of loved ones..and all celebrations!
Victoria
Giggles said…
I love Fall and these are wonderful traditions. I especially love your daughters basket of tagged cookies...so pretty!

Hugs Giggles
Unknown said…
Love the tags especially the Raven. AM going to have to read that poem. Interesting how each culture celebrates the Dead. Those sugar cookies your daughter made look yummy... :)
Lynn Cohen said…
I know I'll always find a lot of beauty when I come to your blog!!!
HPPF and Sunday Sketching! ;-)
Melanie said…
I love fall. Not only because I had my birthday on the 5 th of october, I also love the collours of nature.
The tags you made are loooking very nice. Like the little skull in the first one. Have a very nice day.
Liefs, Melanie
Anne Manda said…
Really wonderful tags, love the richness of design, detail and medium!
Lorraine said…
Great projects love the basket and raven
Netty said…
Thank you for visiting me Arnoldo, so glad you did as I love your beautiful post with declicious projects. Have a wonderful week, Annette x
stefanie stark said…
I love your idea to get inspiration from these memorable holidays in autumn. These holidays make autumn really noteworthy and I love it how you have created the tags accordingly. All three of them have such a different an special meaning although all theree of them belong to autumn. I very much love the raven and the cooky basket!
Leovi said…
Cruz, flores y calavera, preciosa composición!
Paula (PEP) said…
Thank you for this explanation of Halloween - I've always been so wary of it & taught to shun it as 'of the devil' lately I've thought of All Hallows Eve in the Christian Calendar & you have really put it so succinctly that I sense a relief from struggling to reconcile the two. Thank you for your posts which are a lovely mixture of artwork & intellectual reasoning with that all encompassing Belief in Him.
Best wishes to all the family
Paula (PEP)
Valerie-Jael said…
Good post, lovely work! Valerie
Great tags ~ perfect for the season/holidays!

LoVe the raven!
Love that cross!
ROG, ABCW
Debbie said…
I enjoyed your art today, i like the words on the first one! great advice!
wonderful projects Arnoldo!
sheila 77 said…
A very enjoyable post, great information and lovely artistic tags. I liked the raven tag and the story, that raven must have been fun to have around, NOT.
Anonymous said…
I'm surprised Dia de Muertos is not celebrated in more places. I think the reason for the celebration is outstanding. This year I plan to attend the Day of the Dead in the St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery in NYC. Should be very special! Enjoy!!
Christine said…
lovely work Arnold, and the presentation is so important for the cookies, great job!
GalleryJuana said…
That is a beautiful quote that you used for the tag. Now I'm interested in reading Poe's Raven poem. I've been drawing and printing crows and ravens lately. They are smart birds. Love your raven tag! The tapestry background reminds me of Poe's era and the bird seems to be thinking.

Thank you for your visit and thoughtful comments on my blog:)

Evil Edna said…
thank you for joining us with your awesome art at TIOT, love the white and pink skull. EE
Linda Kunsman said…
An enjoyable post all around. Love the rich autumnal projects. And no surprise those cookies sold out -they look SO yummy!
Thanks for visitng my blog. Have a beautiful week!
Melissa Bove said…
Your amazing works always stand out! I just had to stop by and say how gorgeous everything is Arnoldo! You are so inspiring to many!!

Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

hugs...
Melissa
Claudia N. said…
As usual I enjoyed not only seeing your awesome creations but reading your post, Arnoldo!

Love the autumnal tags and the layering on them!
Thank you for sharing your art with us at TIOT!

Claudia x
Those sugar cookies look absolutely yummy! And I love the crow/raven tag. :)
Deann said…
Very elegantly creepy Arnoldo...a beautiful tag.
Winnie said…
Love your tags! I was amazed that you were able to decorate that little skull so well. I have it, but never thought to add color etc. I am glad the bake sale went well! Sugar cookies and presented nicely will always be a sure thing! Poe is one of my favorite, and love your raven tag. My hubby just did Poe last week with his local theatre company. The fall of the house of Usher. It was great and just creepy enough. Enjoy the week!
The tags look great! Love the mixed media techniques and your inspiration is very cool! Happy SS!
Loveday Funck said…
I love Poe!

Great tags!

Tiffany said…
Gorgeous work, Arnoldo! Love, love, love that raven tag (and everything else)!
Unknown said…
Head of school ...that's why you love projects, lol! Have a happy October:)
janice smith said…
Lovely projects, all, Arnoldo. I especially love the Raven and those cookies look wonderful with your hand-crafted packaging! Have a wonderful, creative week! -janice
I love both of your tags. I like the colorful tag with the distress paint. I've got to learn how to do that! Also I love the raven tag. They both make me happy!
Judy said…
Interesting blog post, love your raven tag, creepy with not a witch in sight!!
Ritva said…
great traditions...thanks for sharing. The raven did it for me - beautiful
johanna said…
love the tags - wonderful october creations!
Junibears said…
Beautiful tags Arnoldo! xx
Bill said…
I had to do a term paper on Poe many years ago. I'll never forget "The Raven." I love the tag you created based on it.
Karla B said…
Your work is fascinating, my friend! Greetings from Brazil.
Mrs.B said…
Hi Arnoldo, such an interesting post, and great projects to match.
Love the Mexican themed tag with that wonderful quote.
Thanks for sharing with us at TioT
Avril x
FABBY'S LIVING said…
Oh Arnoldo, I love your fabulous painting for Dia de los Muertos! I learned somethinbg in this interesting post you shared. We celebrate Muertos Dia, Nov.2. Your Raven tag is amazing...scary but in such a subtle and elegant way...the cookies too...love it all! Thanks for coming querido amigo.
Abrazos,
FABBY
Barb Cady said…
I always love reading your posts and this one is very interesting. I did not know about the tradition using the marigolds and they look fabulous on that tag. You know I admire the raven and as for the cookies, mmm, they look delicious!
Marfi-topia said…
Amazing beautiful post and gorgeous artwork!!
Thank you for sharing!!!!!
Karla B said…
Adorable work, my friend! Greetings from Brazil!
Ellie Knol said…
LOVELY textured tags... thanks for joining us at TIOT,
xxx Ellie xxx
Lisabella Russo said…
Beautiful tags, I love them all! I especially love the first one, it just moves me.
Unknown said…
You have such amazing tags. The cookies look really yummy. Happy crafting #49
Electra said…
I love your creepy raven, Arnoldo! You are so talented!
April said…
Thank you for sharing all of your beautiful art and history. :-)
April #61
Fabulous! Love the black wall...the texture is amazing!
peggy gatto said…
a beautiful collection!!!
Monika Reeck said…
I come back to see your blog again..I like the bird tag it looks really manly and special I like the background paper looks so vintage...great job Arnoldo...hope to see you again on my simple blog...cheers..Monika
Unknown said…
Loved reading your post ... so interesting and your art is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Karen no.82 x
SLScheibe said…
How wonderful your beautiful tags are and how cool to take inspiration from holidays. Day of the Dead has long been one of my favorites and I absolutely adore your tag. So colorful!
Dainty Diva said…
You have true meaning to your projects that is so unique. Thanks for sharing. #115
Carole said…
You tell a good tale...very interesting tag. Be well Carole #40
The cookies look great in the basket. I love the idea of celebrating the dead on 2 different days. They have a different tradition in Germany (where I used to live). They visit the cemetery on October 31st in the evening and place candles on the graves. The tag of the raven is fab. Hugs. Pam#68
I enjoyed the art and the post, but was especially happy to read about children of all faiths coming together. What a great way to bring a world together in love, rather than fear, hate, or war.

Thanks for your earlier visit, and happy WOYWW from #7.
Chrissie said…
Thanks for the peek at your workspace,
Great stuff
I loved having a snoop!
Chrissie #84
Crafting Vicky said…
wow those are some pretty awesome tags!!! love them both.

Thanks for joining our fortnightly challenge here at Craftitude challenge. Hope you will join us next time. DT Crafting Vicky I have some candy on my blog ;o) http://crafting-vicky.blogspot.ca/2013/09/400-followers-giveaway.html

lorik said…
That basket of cookies make a great composition...wish I could taste them too:
!
Thanks so much for joining in on the fun at Mandarin Orange Monday:)
Anonymous said…
Such neat lill tags. Really liking your Raven Post. =^_^=
Marlena M. said…
I'm so glad your daughter's beautiful cookies sold out~they are delightful! Wonderful work as usual~lovely dimension and depth of content Arnoldo.
I love the literary touch from the Raven (one of my faves). I will say that (being brutally honest, as I always am), I don't love the skull and crossbones. That's just me. But your art is ALWAYS, without fail, a blessing to me, and I'm always delighted to have you share in our challenges. I thank you for stopping by to link up and for your kind comment on the WAW blog. I'm so glad that this verse was a blessing to you. I was not familiar with it, so I always love seeing the verses Karen uses to create our word art. I appreciate your participation, my friend, and I pray that all is well with you and your special girls!
Blessings,
Karen
Word Art Wednesday
Unknown said…
It is important that we remember,and pray for our dead.....and always remember to celebrate life.....loved your post and especially your tag with the Nevermore raven. ZEFFY 97
Darnell said…
Thank you for the visit to my place, Arnoldo, so I could return the flavor and enjoy this terrific and informative post and all three of your stunning tags!! Darnell
Jez said…
As always, a pleasure to read and contemplate, with beautiful colours. Your daughter's sugar cookies look very tempting and I can see why they sold out.
Bella Cirovic said…
Thank you, Arnold, for sharing to {starts with a C}
PiaRom said…
So artfull tags and yummy sweet cookies ;) my favorite is the raventag with its beautiful papers...very cool! xox ♥ Conny
Piaroms Art Journaling
Borqna said…
Awesome tags! BRAVO!
Please see this challenge - Are you interested in it?
http://poequoththeraven.blogspot.gr/