FACE OFF Artist Spotlight: Meyoko

Berlin-based Melissa Murillo AKA Meyoko is one of the 10 featured artists in the Skull Appreciation Day 2013 FACE OFF exhibition co-curated by Skull-A-Day and Street Anatomy.

Meyoko's work resides in the darker side of Art Nouveau. Executed in freehand, with a fountain pen her works are open doorways to a microcosmic wilderness populated by divine entities and mythical creatures which intermingle and amalgamate to one another until they ultimately resemble, abstract and hybrid worlds partly vegetal – partly animal. Forests made of luxuriant hair are inhabited by tattooed flowers and plants; by ravens and hummingbirds with strange silky bodies in place of feathers.

Meyoko attempts to dissect the depths of human nature itself and she does it with surgical precision. Her work often incorporates emotions such as melancholia, vulnerability, the fear of abandonment yet she confronts them with dogmas such as utopianism, heroism or humanism to achieve a poetic narrative dialogue.

To see some of Meyoko's amazing artwork in person, visit the FACE OFF: Skull-A-Day VS Street Anatomy show at the International Museum of Surgical Science May 31 till August 25, 2013.

FACE OFF: Skull-A-Day VS Street Anatomy

May 31 – August 25, 2013

Opening reception: Friday, May 31  5–9 PM

International Museum of Surgical Science

1524 N. Lake Shore Drive  Chicago, IL

FEATURING

Mike Egan

Tom French

Emilio Garcia

Ali Gulec

Joshua Harker

Meyoko

Nicolas Obery

RX Skulls

Dan Springer

Rob Tarbell

[CONTEST REMINDER] Win A Skull Pen From Jac Zagoory Designs

This contest has ended.  Thanks to everyone who entered with your comments.  Stay tuned for more contests coming soon.

You might want to write this down, or better yet just remember that you only have until 11:59:59 Eastern Time TONIGHT to get entered to win a FREE skull roller ball pen from Jac Zagoory Designs.

This is a excellent chance for 2 of our readers to win 1 skull pen each to write whatever the %*@# you want.  Seriously!

[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+]

You can always get your own pen straight from Jac Zagoory Designs.  Their excellent site features pens, pen holders, and even some wonderful working tools.  Right now you can get a 15% discount on your order when you use the coupon code "skulladay" at checkout.  Thanks again to Craig for the most awesome giveaway and discount!

[CONTEST REMINDER] Win A Skull Pen From Jac Zagoory Designs

This contest has ended.  Thanks to everyone who entered with your comments.  Stay tuned for more contests coming soon.

You might want to write this down, or better yet just remember that you only have until 11:59:59 Eastern Time Friday, March 29th to get entered to win a FREE skull roller ball pen from Jac Zagoory Designs.

This is a excellent chance for 2 of our readers to win 1 skull pen each to write whatever the %*@# you want.  Seriously!

[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+]

You can always get your own pen straight from Jac Zagoory Designs.  Their excellent site features pens, pen holders, and even some wonderful working tools.  Right now you can get a 15% discount on your order when you use the coupon code "skulladay" at checkout.  Thanks again to Craig for the most awesome giveaway and discount!

[CONTEST] Win A Skull Pen From Jac Zagoory Designs

This contest has ended.  Thanks to everyone who entered with your comments.  Stay tuned for more contests coming soon.

It's been said, and written, that the pen is mightier than the sword, and in today's legalized mumbo jumbo world those words have never been truer. Of course it's always nice to get a chance to reflect on our thoughts and write them down with a quality writing utensil.  An essay, haiku, or love note would all be that much better with this skull pen from Jac Zagoory Designs.  The quality of the pen will surely inspire quality of thought.  A reminder of life's brevity puts enlightenment in your hand.  Keep reading to find out how to win, and also how to get a 15% discount on your order.

"This is a reminder to live in the gift of the moment aptly referred to as the PRESENT.  Write down our desires which are the seeds of our abundant future.  Perfect for skull collectors, bikers and those who are busy at living life, not living in the fear of dying.  A favorite of many doctors and artists. We all have a skull---it represents life. Reach for Inspiration!"- taken from Jac Zagoory website. These ideas are reflective of the thoughts of Skull-A-Day and we love the fact that 2 of our lucky readers will be receiving a FREE pen of their own. Here's the details...

PRIZE INFO: One roller ball pen with which to convey your thoughts, feelings, and emotions through either words or art.  The good folks at Jac Zagoory are being kind enough to giveaway 1 pen to 2 separate winners.

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment with the first word or phrase that you would most likely write with this pen.  Anything.  Just try to keep your comments on the friendly side.  I'll most likely be writing "Thank you" with my pen.

CONTACT INFO: If you win, we need to contact you. With your comment you must include your email address.  Entries are only valid with this information!  You can break it up to avoid spammers(i.e. skulladayfan AT skulladay dot com).

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 Time Friday, March 29th.

NUMBER OF WINNERS: Two (2)

PRIZE SHIPS: These skull pens will write in any language so this contest is open to everyone around the world.

IF YOU DON'T WIN: You can always get your own pen straight from Jac Zagoory Designs.  Their excellent site features pens, pen holders, and even some wonderful working tools.  Right now you can get a 15% discount on your order when you use the coupon code "skulladay" at checkout.  Thanks again to Craig for the most awesome giveaway and discount! 

Dynamite Skull Drawings

Nick Simon of San Diego, CA is blowing up the gray scale with these 2 dynamite skull drawings.

"Geo-Skull"- Graphite drawing

"Paradox"- Ball point pen drawing

My mind is obliterated with the fact that these excellent drawings are nothing but shades of graphite and ink.  The textures are amazing and I urge you to see what all Nick is capable of here at his site.  Thanks for the sweetly shaded submissions, Nick!

Calavera de Mariposas

Today's colorful skull is titled "Calavera de Mariposas", and it comes from Emily Austin of Rockvale, TN. Starting with just an idea of a butterfly for a nose she created this piece with pens, pencils, and paint.

The butterflies and sunflowers are full of cheerfulness that make you want to smile just like this skull is.  A fitting tribute to remember, with liveliness, those who have passed before us in the most positive of lights on Dia de los Muertos.  Thanks for adding this to our weekend, Emily! 

Shades and Perennial Skulls

Things are looking up here at Skull-A-Day. In fact our future's so bright, our skulls gotta wear shades. Well, at least today's skull from Pat Henzy is feeling the positive vibe. Both of these submissions are mixed media of pens, pencils, and photoshop.

Congrats are also in order for Pat who recently completed a 365 challenge with a drawing a day featured here.  There are lots of other skulls and crazy stuff to check out.  These two pieces are great examples of how multiple media styles can combine for harmonious skull unity.  Thanks for sharing, Pat!

Doodle Skulls

Brent Griffith from Statesville, NC told us: "Here's a couple of drawings/doodles I did using ball point pen and Sharpie markers."

 Inky C says:

Thank you for sharing these amazing pieces with us.  You really demonstrated that when an artist knows how to wield their tools great things are possible.  I am mesmerized by the tight lines you were able to produce, it appears to be more screen-like than drawing behind your skulls.