In April 2013 I escaped to the wild and beautiful Norfolk coast to spend a week painting. The giant skulls came with me and were transformed by the sea from heavy creatures of grey concrete, they came alive and were born into light, colour and beauty.

The Day of the Dead is a time for the dead to return home and visit loved ones, feast on their favorite foods and listen to their favorite music. In the homes, family members honor their deceased with ofrendas or offerings which may consist of photographs, bread, other foods, flowers, toys and other symbolic offerings. This ofrenda is a shared community ofrenda that I built as part of the AP&Beyond Festival. I encouraged people to bring items and photos of departed loved ones.

Fiesta and family go hand in hand. My daughter Olympia is the most recent in a long line of strong and inspiring women in my family called 'Olympia'. She is my most beautiful creation.