Skull Whistles

Howard Kistler of Tabula Retina Studio is "a glass and clay crafter who has recently started making ceramic whistles. The skull whistles have been warmly received, and are a lot of fun to make. Here is a photo of the latest batch, a trio affectionately named Manet, Meau, and Jacques (The Ded Boys).

These skull whistles remind me of the death whistles I read about recently. They were used by various Central America tribes, but the reason for them has been lost. Perhaps they were for some type of death ritual, or possibly buried with bodies in case the people were not truly dead. In Victorian times, many bodies were buried with a bell's string tied to them, or a horn added to the coffin, because they were incapable of determining the difference between dead and comatose. The buried people, if they were actually alive, could ring the bell or blow into the horn to alert the graveyard keeper that they needed to dig up the person. Which ever way these type of instruments are used, the melody is sure to be eerie.

Three Skulls

Nick Newton in Calgary, Canada sent us this skull trilogy.  He said: "I am loving your site. There are many amazing artists out there. I'm submitting three skulls - two small clay skulls that I made - one,
more abstract, out of red clay, and another out of white. I'm also including a notebook sketch of a skull I made."

Stampede C says:

Thank you for sharing your work with us, and also thank you for your kind words about the site.  Congratulations, you also now have bragging rights as one of our amazing artists that we featured here.

Clay and Paper Skulls

Nick Newton, Calgary, Alberta, Canada is back again with three skulls.

I enjoy seeing Nick's range of work. These are some great examples, two different skull clay sculptures and a sketch which seems like a study for his sculptures. We come across some very talented artists when looking through the submission. Nick is one of many. Keep up the great work. If you enjoy creating skull artwork, please submit it to us for posting! We love seeing what you all create!


“Countdown To Halloween”
23 more days and counting...

Small Clay Skulls

Nick Newton of Calgary, Canada, crafted two skulls out of clay.

The deep set eyesockets caught my attention immediately. They are very expressive and haunting. I love the stylized sculpting of the cheekbones, nasal holes and teeth. As with any art, how you create your vision is up to you. The results of your process are unique and speak volumes about you. How someone may perceive your creations, may be all together different than how you view them. That in it's self is a beautiful thing. We are all different, including our own skulls.

Hand Sculpted Skull

Artist Candace Jedrowicz from Ogden, Utah sent us this hand sculpted clay skull that she created. 

The Golden C says:

Clay is one of the most universal, versatile and ancient mediums for artistic expression.  From functional items to decorative ones, clay handiwork has been found in many periods of human habitation throughout the world.  Thank you for your contribution to furthering the history of this medium through your submission to our site.