Dia de Los Muertos in Oakland

This year's theme at Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood festival paid respect to Los Ausenttes (The Absent) those who are no longer with us, whether loved ones who have passed away or members of this community who have been displaced due to deportation, gentrification or incarceration. The altares (alters) were displayed throughout the festival including those in the trunks of the beautifully restored cars. —Cathy McAuliffe

Day of the Dead, San Francisco

It was not easy to draw during the Day of the Dead parade, I made pencil sketches of people who were having their faces painted and added the ink and watercolor afterwards. The ink blobs just happened and I added some more. It was a beautiful event.

Dia de los Muertos, Pen and ink and watercolors, 18x12

Low Rider Car Show at Dia de los Muertos

1948 Chevy Fleetline, drawn in ink on site, painted at home (5×8″)

At the Dia de Los Muertos celebration in East Oakland families came to celebrate and honor their loved ones who had passed. They displayed elaborate, beautiful altars filled with marigolds, fruit, religious imagery and mementos of loved ones.

I was thrilled to find a low rider car show away from the loud music and crowds where I could set up my stool and sketch.

He said he likes to draw cartoons; I  tried to get him to draw the car with me but he declined

There were the booths filled with flowers and decorated sugar skulls and skeleton-themed art of all kinds. here was music, Aztec dancing, drumming and more.

Sugar skulls, skeleton dolls and a view from above

Trying to sketch the Aztec dancers

Lots more sketches and photos from the day on my blog, JanasJournal