18 × 24
Charcoal and Dry Point Etching on Scorched Paper
This artwork is a charcoal drawing of a race horse and jockey, overlapping a series of drypoint etchings that I made of skeletons and skulls. I was able to achieve a burnt, rustic look to the paper by scorching the edges with a flame. The custom frame was created through a fractal burning technique where the wood is burnt using high voltage electricity.
In horse racing, a “dead heat” is a situation where two or more horses cross the finish line at the same time, making it impossible to declare a single winner. I like to use horse racing jargon and word play in the titles of my artworks because I get to exploit multiple meanings and humor. This artwork pays homage to Jose Guadalupe Posada who employs humor and satire in his work through his use of calaveras and calacas (skulls and skeletons). The Day of the Dead holiday and Posada’s artwork always reminds me to laugh and to enjoy life to the fullest.
This artwork was made during the Month of October around Dia de Los Muertos in memory of a friend who had passed away from cancer. We had shared a tradition of handicapping the races together and making a team wager on the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders Cup. Ironically enough, the Breeders’ Cup Classic was run on Day of the Dead the year this artwork was produced.
18 × 24
Charcoal and Dry Point Etching on Scorched Paper
This artwork is a charcoal drawing of a race horse and jockey, overlapping a series of drypoint etchings that I made of skeletons and skulls. I was able to achieve a burnt, rustic look to the paper by scorching the edges with a flame. The custom frame was created through a fractal burning technique where the wood is burnt using high voltage electricity.
In horse racing, a “dead heat” is a situation where two or more horses cross the finish line at the same time, making it impossible to declare a single winner. I like to use horse racing jargon and word play in the titles of my artworks because I get to exploit multiple meanings and humor. This artwork pays homage to Jose Guadalupe Posada who employs humor and satire in his work through his use of calaveras and calacas (skulls and skeletons). The Day of the Dead holiday and Posada’s artwork always reminds me to laugh and to enjoy life to the fullest.
This artwork was made during the Month of October around Dia de Los Muertos in memory of a friend who had passed away from cancer. We had shared a tradition of handicapping the races together and making a team wager on the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders Cup. Ironically enough, the Breeders’ Cup Classic was run on Day of the Dead the year this artwork was produced.