Cosmic Skulls

Marcos Carvalho of Chevy Chase, MD is taking us on a trip into our skulls with a collection of illustrations of mythical creatures.  Mythical........?

Cosmic Skull

Crystal Skull

Black Lagoon Cranium

Skull of Sasquatch

Let your imagination run wildly into the fantastical and give your skull a break from reality.  These wondrous images will help take you there.  Thanks, Marcos!

Monster's University! :D

One of my all time favorite movies has to be Pixar's Monster's Inc. I went and saw it for the first time for my 11th Birthday party way back in 2001 and always enjoy re-watching it. It's so incredibly clever, funny and just plain stunning to watch (those animations are spectacular!). To say I was excited about the prequel to Mike and Sulley's story was an understatement. I forced Bryce to tell me that he was also, in fact, just as excited as I was about the coming movie, though I knew he's really a Toy Story kid at heart ;) 

For those who don't know, the two main characters in the movie are Mike Wazowski, a green, short and round, one-eyed monster, and James P. Sullivan (aka "Sulley"), a big blue and purple spotted fluffy monsters. I love them both. Here they are in the latest movie. 

Well, the Monster's Inc. tradition is about to come full circle! A friend of mine's daughter turns 11 today...and guess what movie we're all going to see to celebrate?!? Yup, Monster's University! I knew I couldn't go see this prequel until I had matching Monster's Inc. nails to go with me, so I made sure to show my MU pride before heading out.


Hopefully it's pretty clear what is on each nail, but I figure it doesn't hurt to explain just in case. My index finger is Mike's face, the middle finger is the Monster's University logo, and the ring and pinky are supposed to be Sulley's hair! The thumb is a little funky, but it's intended to be Boo's closet door with Sulley's tail disappearing inside. 

Do you have a favorite Pixar film? I love Monster's Inc, but are also SO many other great films to come out of the studio!! :D

Happy Polishing!

[CONTEST REMINDER] Win an Ornamental Skull Sweater

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED! Thank you for participating!

Don't forget you have until 11:59pm Eastern USA Time Friday, June 28, 2013, to enter the the current giveaway.  Noah is giving away an ASOS sweater featuring his Ornamental Skull. You can find the original contest post by clicking the side bar ad, or this link.

[NOTE: If you are reading this on Facebook or Google+, you must go to THE ACTUAL BLOG POST HERE to enter this contest! You CANNOT enter this contest by commenting on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+]

Before I Die I Want To...

It's hard to believe that June is basically over. I feel like June didn't even happen. When time passes so quickly it can sometimes be alarming because your life is made of that time. 

What did I do this month? I saved ducks, saved a dove, painted and drew tons of pictures, did a small amount of yoga, started the process of buying our first house, cared for the dog through recovery from surgery, packed up most of my house in prep for moving, received two rejection letters from art galleries, met new people, spent a lot of time with my favorite husband, and more. Sounds like a decent full month.

The only thing I think it's lacking is travel. I want to travel more and experience things I could never find at home. I want to squeeze as much experience into my life as possible. On that note - here's a TED talk with Candy Chang about just that topic. 

What do you want to do before you die? 

What can you do to make your life more full?

In fact, don't even tell me. Better start making it happen before you miss it.

This TED talk via HuffPo

Face Off Mashup: Rachel Stoltz and Mr. Four Fingers

As a part of our celebration for Skull Appreciation Day we're presenting you with the "Fan Submissions" part of our Face Off exhibit. We asked our readers to submit their own skulls using the template that was provided, then we faced them off against each other, and we now proudly present for your viewing pleasure, the final results.

This skull is by Rachel Stoltz of Anatomical Element. She was so inspired by the template, that she used it to make several jewelry skulls. This skull is made with copper and aluminum with steel rivets. Rachel lives in Chicago, IL and was a great help in making the show successful.

Mr. Four Fingers from London, England, made this skull called "Masquerade of the Dead". He explained this is a pen illustration finished digitally.

FACE OFF: Skull-A-Day VS Street Anatomy 

May 31 - August 25, 2013 

International Museum of Surgical Science 

1524 N. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL

[CONTEST REMINDER] Win an Ornamental Skull Sweater

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED! Thank you for participating!

Don't forget you have until 11:59pm Eastern USA Time Friday, June 28, 2013, to enter the the current giveaway.  Noah is giving away an ASOS sweater featuring his Ornamental Skull. You can find the original contest post by clicking the side bar ad, or this link.

[NOTE: If you are reading this on Facebook or Google+, you must go to THE ACTUAL BLOG POST HERE to enter this contest! You CANNOT enter this contest by commenting on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+]

Be Present Now

via FuckYeahYoga

Face Off Mashup: Susan Marino & Kimmer Guccione

As a part of our celebration for Skull Appreciation Day we're presenting you with the "Fan Submissions" part of our Face Off exhibit. We asked our readers to submit their own skulls using the template that was provided, then we faced them off against each other, and we now proudly present for your viewing pleasure, the final results.

 

 FACE OFF: Skull-A-Day VS Street Anatomy

May 31 - August 25, 2013

International Museum of Surgical Science

1524 N. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL

Nail art funk? No problem! Paint flowers!

I have been seriously failing at keeping up my posts lately! Ahh! For whatever reason, I've been in a bit of a funk when it came to my nail art the past few weeks. I've been stressed and busy and this past weekend I literally just read...and it was so fabulous! I forgot how much I miss reading and I am definitely going to have to make it more of a priority :)

I decided to do some funky rose like flowers to get me out of my funk and I really love how they turned out. I think it was just the thing to get my creative juices flowing again so hopefully I'll be posting regularly again soon!

This color palette is a little different but I think it still works. I used a ton of color and my medium length striping brush...which one of these days I'll have to actually take a picture of for reference. Also, I apologize in advance, this is a picture heavy post. Also, also, don't mind the sad paper cut on my middle finger ;)

 And for the colors! I'm going to try and be good about sharing all the colors I use even when I use a lot of colors. 

Base

American Apparel Manila

Flowers 

China Glaze Kalahari Kiss

American Apparel Sunset Blvd.

Essie Tart Deco

Essie Raspberry

Leaves

American Apparel Peacock

Outlines

China Glaze Prey Tell

What do you think of these? Did you get to do anything fun over the weekend?? Any great books you've read lately or that you recommend? 

Happy Polishing! :)

[CONTEST] Win an Ornamental Skull Sweater

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED! Thank you for participating!

You might remember Noah's Ornamental Skull from the original 365 skulls he did the 1st year of Skull-A-Day. Pairing with ASOS, his Ornamental Skull is now on a sweater for their petite line. As with any pairing like this, Noah was given a few of these sweaters from ASOS. I have one and can confirm it's more a regular fit than petite, and is very soft. Noah is giving away one black Ornamental Skull sweater to one lucky Skull-A-Day fan!

What the sweater looks like alone.

What the sweater looks like on this model.

PRIZE INFO: One Black Ornamental Skull Sweater. The winner has a choice between size US 8 or US 10. Check ASOS' Petite size guide for related body measurements. It's made of a fine lightweight knit.

HOW TO ENTER: This sweater deserves to be worn on an adventure or somewhere special. To enter this contest, comment below answering this question. If you were to win this sweater, where would you wear it? For example, I might wear it to go watch the Fall leaves change colors in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

CONTACT INFO: The winner, chosen at random, will be contacted via email by one of the Skull-A-Day editors within 7 days of the end of the contest. If that winner doesn't respond, another winner will be chosen. With your comment, please INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!!! Entries are only valid with this information.

WHERE TO ENTER: All entries must be made on this blog post, on Skull-A-Day.com. You CANNOT enter this contest by commenting on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.

CONTEST CLOSES: 11:59:59 PM Eastern USA Time Friday, June 28, 2013.

NUMBER OF WINNERS: One

PRIZE SHIPS: This contest is open to all skull lovers around the world.

IF YOU DON'T WIN:  Don't fret, this Ornamental Skull sweater is available in Black and in Red from ASOS. The sizes range from US 1 to US 12.

Sunday Simulacra - Version 7.4

Today's simulacra are happy little accidents.

First up is a past contributor Ryan Kinney of HEYMAN! Productions in Ashtabula, OH who told us: "I found this skull on the back of a ruined photo. While cleaning out a friends barn, I discovered a pile of old, wet, moldy photos. All the ink had ran on them and I found this guy on the back of a photo where the ink had transferred from another photo in the stack."

Next up is Jim in Indiana who wrote: "Obviously a lethal strain of bird droppings."

Neighborly C says:

Another week of absolutely perfect simulacra.  It truly is amazing to see the our community able to surprise us week after week with new simulacra.  Thank you both for sharing your finds with us.

Remember to keep sending those pictures in, we always love seeing what our skull hunters find. Anyone is welcomed to participate, it's fun and it's easy- if you see a simulacra skull, photograph it and send those pictures in to our submissions address with a little something about what it is really and maybe a little about you.

Super $hithead Skull Saturday

Today's Super Saturday is a collection of ribbon type skull illustrations, and one mirror, from Jason '$hithead' Mitchell.

It's impressive to see so many different versions of the skull done in such a similar fashion.  I'm really impressed with the mirror, especially if that is an etching.  There's lots of other skullistrations to check out on Jason's page.  Thanks for sharing this group with us!

[CONTEST REMINDER] Win a 3D Skull Device Case

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED! Thank you for participating!

Don't forget you have until 11:59pm Eastern USA Time TODAY, to enter the the current giveaway. Sculpteo is giving away two 3D skull device cases designed by Hugo Arcier. You can find the original contest post by clicking the side bar ad, or this link.

[NOTE: If you are reading this on Facebook or Google+, you must go to THE ACTUAL BLOG POST HERE to enter this contest! You CANNOT enter this contest by commenting on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+]

Walking a New Path When the Old One is Comfortable

You are a creature of habit. I mean, we all are - so don't think you're an exception.

Sometimes we try to learn a new habit on purpose - like brushing and flossing twice a day, not eating animal products, or doing yoga every day. That's really hard to do and sometimes people talk about how long it takes to build a new habit. That isn't always the way it works, really. Some of us (like me) just don't seem to learn new habits. I can learn to do something the same new way for 3 years and then just stop doing it one day. No matter how much better I felt for it or loved doing it - it's suddenly like it never happened. Why? 

Michelle Dawson by Robert Sturman

Some of us, it turns out have worn such a distinct path with our original habit - that the new one just can't compete. So it's not so much that you don't form a habit - you just formed the last one soooo well that it's harder to UNDO it than anything. It can be done, but it's going to be a more difficult journey.

What's my point here? Do I have one? I thought I did when I started.

If you're having trouble picking up a new habit - like doing yoga regularly (or ever) - go easy on yourself, but keep trying. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was your habit of not doing yoga.

Sunglow Stripes

Yeesh, I have been such a bad blogger lately! Why aren't you all admonishing me and telling me to step my game up?? ;) I finally have something new to share with you all...but I'm not overly in love with it. I'm such a tease, I'm sorry! D: I hope this weekend inspiration will smack me in the face and ask what the heck I've been doing this week. 

I actually really really love the color palette, but I defiantly failed when it came to the execution of these. They're a bit...Easter-y? I think I need to revisit these colors together in a different pattern though. My inspiration was an Anthropologie dress called the Sunglow Stripes Dress and oh my giddy gumdrops, I wish I had a spare $268 to throw at this dress. I seriously love it. And need it. Like last week. 

 My palette ended up consisting of 5 colors including my base of OPI's My Vampire is Buff. I don't even want to imagine a world where MVIB is NOT a color. I mean, I'm pretty sure angels are weeping just thinking about that. It's just such a fabulous color. I think it's actually moved into first place for my favorite base color, with My Boyfriend Scales Walls a close second. 

The turquoise is China Glaze's Kinetic Candy and the coral is their Surreal Appeal polish. The pewter looking polish is Julep's Zelda (excellent name!) and the neon yellow is Serum No.5's Day Glow.

I used a combination of striping tape to get an even line between the stripes and my medium striping brush to create these. Pretty simple! 

Happy Polishing! :)

Face Off Mashup: Kerosene & Marc Tyler Hunt

As a part of our celebration for Skull Appreciation Day we're presenting you with the "Fan Submissions" part of our Face Off exhibit. We asked our readers to submit their own skulls using the template that was provided, then we faced them off against each other, and we now proudly present for your viewing pleasure, the final results.

This one is by Kerosene of Kerosene and Things and Flypaper and Kerosene.

This one is by Mark Tyler Hunt of El Dorado, KS

FACE OFF: Skull-A-Day VS Street Anatomy 

May 31 - August 25, 2013 

International Museum of Surgical Science 

1524 N. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL

Black Alice

I am excited to be a part of a Kickstarter for a new series of black-light posters inspired by the Alice In Wonderland stories by Lewis Carroll called Black Alice.

Normal Light

The project features 16 silkscreened posters of characters and scenes from Alice In Wonderland & Through The Looking-Glass illustrated by 8 different artists. And each one features special elements that only appear when they're viewed under a black light. Of course I had to hide a skull in both of my pieces.

Black Light

Normal Light

Black Light

 If you'd like to own these posters you have to participate in the Kickstarter that is only running now through the mid-July! Find out more about it HERE.