Corazon

There's something deeply moving about creating a piece that honors both death and love in the same breath. Corazon emerged from my fascination with Día de los Muertos—not as something dark or morbid, but as a vibrant celebration of life, memory, and the enduring power of love.

The skeletal woman at the center doesn't evoke fear; instead, she radiates tenderness. Her hands cradle a flaming heart—corazón—a symbol of love that persists beyond the physical realm. I wanted to capture that beautiful paradox: how death and love are intertwined, how we celebrate those we've lost by keeping their memory alive in our hearts.

Working in oils allowed me to build rich, swirling textures in the deep teals and forest greens that frame her face, contrasting brilliantly with the golden sunflowers that burst around her like rays of light. The pink blossoms scattered throughout bring softness and joy, while the decorative skull painting—complete with golden dots and spiraling pink accents—honors traditional calavera artistry.

I loved layering the brushstrokes to create movement, particularly in the turbulent sky above and the flowing quality of her presence. The color palette moves between warmth and coolness, life and death, celebration and remembrance.

When you stand before Corazon, I hope you feel that bittersweet beauty—the acknowledgment that love transcends everything, even our mortality. It brings a powerful, life-affirming presence to any space that honors both memory and hope.