Bathing the Paint Brushes

Heeee Hawwww!
I'm pretty stoked that Sugar Skull Cowgirl #2 is complete so that's the first thing that came to mind.
I'm not sure if she is a twin of the first cowgirl or what but ... Heeee Hawwww!!!! Know what I  mean?

As I was painting her, I unloaded the extra paint onto a black piece of 8" x 10" card stock. This is becoming common where I actually make a sort of abstract painting during the process.

Due to the lack of solid direction on the abstraction, they contrast pretty heavily compared to my upbeat style. I'll admit...I get the chills when cleaning off my brushes. It is an exciting kind of chill. It is more like a roller coaster drop.

The main thing that they have in common is the color pallet as well as having the same artist.

My alter ego MP Skelletree totally kicks in during the transitional phase between the two pieces. It is almost spiritual phasing between the two. Does that sound deep & serious? It is a crazy kind of spiritual. Almost like this excited conglomerate of juvial Skittles candy, flavored seltzer fizz & Pop Rocks.

Cowgirls & dark tunnels ... make what you will of the abstract. All I hope is that it takes you somewhere fun & eerie. I see art like a Funhouse. A Funhouse that transcends beyond the living and deeper into a whimsical place of infinite enlightenment daring yet safe. My art is not meant to harm ... only to create enjoyment & wonder.

I think that part of my imagination which would otherwise be tossed away is saved simply by cleaning my brushes.

MP Skelletree would see it as being summoned by a different dimension.

Indeed it is but what better madness than the freedom of art.

Meanwhile, my brushes are clean awaiting anxiously for their next bath.

:o) MP

Key Chains - Appreciating Your Own Art

I'm really sleepy right now but I see that I have a "Key Chains" headline up top so I'm going to try to write something about it.

Well, the only logical explanation that I have for making the key chains depicted is because they came in groups of four. Well, they didn't come that way,

• the canvases were purchased blank
• the paint was purchased tubed
• my mind was blank until it filled with these ideas
• then I painted the ideas that were in my mind onto the blank canvases with the clueless paint

The four Mariachi Cyclops paintings were made in my former house in Valley Center, California.
They were completed shortly before my first son was born. He'd later learn the words.

• painting
• violin
• guitar
• drums
• trumpet

Prior to that, I was introduced to sign language so in reality, his first sign word was the motion for painting. Now, he is a music fanatic. 

These paintings hold sentimental value because of this however, I was willing to let them go at the Exhibit. Paintings around them found new homes but they stayed which may be for a reason. 

Just a few days ago, I finished the "Sugar Skull" series. You can actually see the progress of them where they transform from a funny Neanderthal look to a more traditional skull. Because I purposely made two of each style, as a four piece they work. 

This was the same concept I used when I designed with the Mariachis. The difference with the Mariachis is that I used two styles of backgrounds each with their own color scheme. At this stage in my artistic journey, I find it more complete to do a series as opposed to just a one piece like I did with the "El Boracho" drawing. Perhaps I'll make it a three...or four since it sold. 

Speaking of El Boracho, around the time of that drawing, I used to have a keychain with a bottle opener on it. It was a Winnie the Pooh shape but nobody.... especially a drunkard could tell nor care. The important thing was releasing the drink from the bottle and draining it into your stomach pit in order to contaminate your blood with a temporarily fullfilling ahhhhh buzz.

My sons "yes I have two now" don't know what beer is. One day I'm sure they will. The important thing right now is to continue being a solid father to them and just be this portal for these skeletons. I know that they exist or have existed...otherwise it would be impossible to make them up.

"M.P. Skelletree....we command you to close your eyes. We are not your weariness...we are your energy and we need you to lie down so that we can escape into reality."

"But, don't you need me to paint you?"

( long silence ... whispering)

"You don't ... we do."

Sugar Skulls Series One Complete

Dear Armando,

Please release us from the confines of your imagination...or is it? We are the darkness in the hallways waiting for you to bring us forth to the light. If you are unable to accept the fact that we are in fact talking to you, then please consider yourself our poltergeist. In fact, you Armando, you do not exist. Let us summon instead M.P. Skelletree. We know that such madness exists only in the fascination of the term itself. Madness as they all know it is a non-reality turned into a simple reality to us known as laziness. You on the other hand Armando...we mean, M.P. Skelletree, are not lazy. Even if you are, we command you to pick up your paint brushes so that we may reveal ourselves. 

Your interpretation of us is not an interpretation at all. It is in fact, who we are and how we like to see ourselves. In our world, there are no mirrors, just infinite reflections. Without you M.P. Skelletree, these reflections are impossible. We have met genies whom continue to encapsulate themselves because of the mirrors that entrap their nonexistence. We however, do exist even though some may think that we don't. We have other friends Mr. Skelletree that also wish to be released. Since genies do not exist, please do not seek them for mirrors will only deceive you. In fact, when you look into a mirror, you will only see - what is - a glimpse of your soul disguised in mortal drapery. Your soul however, remains free without mirrors ... unlike the non-existant genie. 

We are sugar skulls, sweet and colorful. We choose you M.P. Skelletree because only you understand us. The inversions of our black hearts personify true love. Our sunken pin prick eyes remind the world that our views are full of life. Our bear teeth express happiness. The decors of our face represent the wonders of the universe. In fact, we come not from the earth. 

We come from the deep warmth of the soul. The corridors of which travel even faster than light. Your physical body M.P. Skelletree cannot compete with the dark corridors of your imagination. It is through these corridors that we have chosen to reach you. We are not part of your imagination. We are real. We may not live like the physical human form... but that is only what mirrors believe. 

Let us remind you of the genies. How could we have met them if they don't in fact exist? Because we have met many things that have never existed. Take for example yourself. We summoned you. We used your nonexistence to reveal ourselves. Why then would we want to be revealed by nonexistence? Because the only way we can exist is by knowing that non-existance really does exist. Therefore, you do exist M.P. Skelletree. 

We are reminders that you have one life to live. Dia De Los Muertos is not only a day to celebrate the dead...but a reminder to celebrate your life "today"! Remember what you told her Armando...we mean M.P. Skelletree...you wanted to be present for your own Day of the Dead celebration. Well now, there are more of us that wish to come celebrate with you.

Salud!

- The Sugar Skulls

New Skelletree Merch Store

http://www.zazzle.com/skelletree
I started this new store to cater to my new line of art. It was also created to extend my fine art to a wider audience.  The sugar skulls follow more traditional designs with my own twist. It is important to maintain originality in art.
For this store, I go under the alias MP Skellettree to coincide with an art piece. Hence the store name "Skelletree". I find it refreshing to reinvent myself which transcends with progression.
Soon the name will make note sense but for now, enjoy the store.

Top 5 Reasons To Become An Artist

1. To
2. Express
3. Yourself
4. Freely
5. Because

just ask yourself why 5 times.

why? to
why? express
why? yourself
why? freely
why? because

you can become an artist but like most of us.... chances are, you already are after finding out later.
i found out later after it was brought to
my attention how much I actually drew 
& painted.

those 5 reasons however are the best advice I'd give.

La Mosca

This painting started out as a blotch of paint I made cleaning off my brush. I finished it this morning at midnight while packing up for the night. There. Is a series um working on so I end the night painting these skulls. Acrylic on black card stock. I am at the Del Mar races right now waiting for the rest of our party. This painting was a funny skull that happened to have a fly land on its head. It must've been a hot night.

Mando's Skeleton Art Store

I have opened my fine art store online in conjunction with Good Smiths.
Please share the link with art collectors & skeleton enthusiasts.
Bring some originality & life to your office and home decor.
My art is eerie-cheery-sassy-classy!
Each piece is one of a kind .
Please click the link below to shop.
Thank you & enjoy!
- Mando

https://www.goodsmiths.com/mando-s-skeleton-art

Nocturnal Baby

Nocturnal baby 
You shine as bright 
As the sun in the light 
Except, it is night 

Nocturnal baby 
My eyes grow faint 
But since you're awake, 
I'll stay up and paint 

poem by Mando Padilla 

acrylic on black, 65lb card stock

Buy this painting here ::
https://www.goodsmiths.com/mando-s-skeleton-art/nocturnal-baby?p=ae84bbfe662226282b2c8b64eadb0451

Skull Sketched Nap

This is based on a vision I had from a nap today.
A very quick & expressive piece, it was intended to capture the quickly fading vision.

Medium - crylic on paper. 

It is important to capture these moments of calm clarity. 

This skull was dreamed and created in a peaceful state. What i like about skeletons is their lack of ethnicity. this idea makes them universal. ethnicity may be suggested in their context however it still raises a silent question.

i encourage anyone to express their dreams. this was a one time only thing of course but it will inspire my subjects for sure. nothing in your life should ever be thrown away. even as you sleep.

Late Night Snack for Artists

This is my table where it all happens never sure when I will sleep knowing  the finished pieces never will even after I do.

Not much too it. Just a cluster of randomness in appearance but once behind it, things just start to happen.

Each brush and paint has its flaws which somehow unify to make a perfect flaw.

No matter what you have....it is all in the vision.

These visions are trickles of my past intertwined with the world where I truly belong.


I look at the messy table and then become one with it.


If my art brings you joy & laughter then I've accomplished my dream.

MP 2013 - & The Circus Leaves Town

Thank you all.
To be continued...

Neanderthal Professional

5" x 7" acrylic on canvas
Each with pink & white attire
From my funny "Modern Neanderthal" series. Characterized by the inverted "black heart" for the nose.
$30 each or all 3 for $80