LONGHORN ART
As an abstract painter, I’ve always wanted to go beyond the borders of my canvas. When I began to think about how I would do this, I started to think about my roots and heritage, and ultimately to my childhood home in Mexico. The longhorn skulls emerged for me as a unique symbol of strength and courage, and I was excited by the opportunity to transform these into works of art.
Transforming the skulls into an art form has been a challenge, yet incredibly satisfying. I begin by curing the skulls, and then sanding & waxing the horns so their beautiful colors can shine through. This process of preparing each skull for painting has become a form of art in itself for me, gaining a sense of the unique spirit each skull carries. Another exciting aspect of painting my longhorn skulls is the challenge of transforming my concepts into a three dimensional foundation. I feel as though my art is coming to life in new ways, leading to new discoveries as an artist.
The gathering of the longhorns skulls in the desert of Baja California Sur is done by a group of 36 families native to the area. All the skulls gathered came to be from natural death. The cattle roams freely in the wild—they do not have an owner. In the area, they are called “mountain cows,” and they usually die due to the drought or the ingestion of a poisonous bush, both common in the area. These families only collect skulls from natural deaths as for the artists it is of utmost importance to respect and acknowledge Zapotec culture in the area which believes a skull represents protection against evil spirits, strength and prosperity.
My goal with each skull I paint is to enhance the uniqueness within each skull - to bring out the colors and patterns that convey the unique strength of each one, bringing an energy of breathtaking empowerment to your space.
Due to the uniqueness and importation of the longhorns from Mexico, our process will take a bit longer - roughly 4 months. From the moment I receive your longhorn skull, we will begin exploring your vision and sharing ideas. It is an incredible shared journey - I look forward to it!
