The Official Website of Kevin King http://kevinkingsart.wix.com/kevinking

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“…of ghostly matters.” I have been working on two projects back and forth over the many months. One is a collection of faerie tales and illustrations and the other is a compilation of spooky and scary stories and illustrations. More specifically, things that are...of ghostly matters.
By Kevin King

In Honor to the Day of The Dead or El Dia De Los Muertos I have created a cabinet that contains anything your departed might need when they visit you for that one night. The following is the interesting history behind it: Day of the Dead, annual celebration to honor the spirits of the dead, observed primarily in Mexico and other Latin American countries in early November. The exact dates of the celebration vary from region to region. In many communities, the Day of the Dead—known in Spanish as El Día de los Muertos—is observed on November 1 and 2 and coincides with the Christian celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. All Saints’ Day, observed on November 1, honors the Christian saints, and All Souls’ Day, observed on November 2, is a holiday of the Roman Catholic Church to commemorate the deceased so they might “rest in peace.” According to popular belief, on the Day of the Dead the spirits of the dead return to commune with the living. Families leave offerings for these spirits, attend fiestas (festivals) dressed in costumes, and clean or decorate the graves of deceased family members. The Day of the Dead is similar in many respects to Halloween, a holiday that also commemorates the spirits of the dead. Halloween originated in Europe and is now celebrated on October 31 in the United States. Some Day of the Dead ceremonies are sanctioned and presided over by representatives of the Catholic Church. Many aspects of Day of the Dead celebrations reflect Native American traditions that predate the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the early 1500s. Observances vary from region to region, and often between different social groups within the same community. Some communities hold multiple Day of the Dead celebrations during the last week of October and the first week of November. In these elaborate observances, specific days are usually set aside for various classes of spirits, such as those of people who died violently or who died within the last year. Most Day of the Dead activities take place in the home. Paths of flower petals and burning incense lead spirits to the houses of their living relatives. Many families construct elaborate ofrendas (offerings), tables heaped with gifts of food and drink for the spirits of the dead. Special loaves of bread such as pan de los muertos, or bread of the dead, are baked for the holiday and are often included in offerings to the spirits. Other food offerings are selected with the spirit of a specific individual in mind, including dishes the deceased person enjoyed in life. The ofrenda is decorated with flowers, especially an orange or yellow marigold known as cempasúchil (flower of the dead) and the mano de león (lion’s paw). Also, arches of palm leaves and banners of tissue paper cut into intricate designs frequently hang above the ofrenda table. After the spirits have been given an opportunity to partake of the offerings, the celebrants eat the food. Leftover food is placed on the graves of dead relatives or distributed to living relatives and other members of the community. According to custom, ill fortune, such as sickness or death, may befall those who do not make offerings.

Haunted_Studio says: Please Check out : Art for Autism Now * 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with autism. 1 in 97 boys. Autism impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe. * Art Now for Autism is an online exhibit and fundraiser for autism awareness and research. 100% of the sale of art goes to Autism Speaks, a national autism organization, through its Walk Now for Autism program. (If you are in the DC area, you can talk about how this exhibit coincides with the Walk on November 8th on the National Mall.) * Web site address — www.artnowforautism.com * Dates of the exhibit are October 1 - 31, 2008 * Kevin King donated on of his amazing fairy tale illustration and Liz King donated an assemblage collage. We know that there is much to learn about this terrible condition. * The variety of art and range of donation levels is great - There are pieces for as little as $10 and as high as $700. Art includes paintings, drawings, photography, mixed media, collage, fiber art, decorative arts, jewelry, etc. Talk about the puzzle pins. Available for just $25 these pieces show support for autism awareness with a creative flair! There are literally hundreds of items to choose from! * For information on Autism Speaks go to www.autismspeaks.org Proud Supporters of Art Now for Autism www.artnowforautism.com

I am Kevin's side kick/wife that also loves to trinket around in assemblage and collage, having him create pieces of art that we can all enjoy is so fun for both. There is lots to come but here is a bit more about the Artist- Kevin King: A true vagrant in the field of art. Kevin King has won numerous awards and scholarships for his art before attending the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1984 where after graduation, was released to roam at his muse's whims. He has made his camp over the years cartooning and illustration for the late Scripps-Howard endeavor, The Sun Tattler, Humor Magazines, Gallery painting and he currently wears a size 36 pleated Dockers. © Kevin King 2007 Artist retains all copyrights.

So many ideas, so much to create, yet so little time. I feel much more is about to come, a lot more, keep watching.