Artist Highlight and Giveaway!: La Santa Muerte

Zombie Cake Toppers

I am so excited to introduce Ebelyn of La Santa Muerte to you today!  Her shop is filled with the most beautiful and original artwork perfect for the home and weddings!!  See below for Ebelyn's interview which includes great shop tips,  A GIVEAWAY, and a DISCOUNT CODE for her shop for all A Girl and Her Scout readers!  Thanks for joining us Ebelyn!

Custom Embroidered Cloth Napkins

Hi Ebelyn Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your awesome Dia de Los Muertos art.

Hi!  I’m a 23 year-old artist from Los Angeles, CA who got a little tired of one too many bad job interviews and rejection letters after graduating college in 2010.  Tired and a little frustrated, I took matters into my own hands and opened up La Santa Muerte on etsy to share my Dia de Los Muertos art!  But it wasn’t until earlier this year that I really buckled down and began to take my shop more seriously to try to offer a variety of colorful and cultural Day of the Dead artwork for anyone and everyone.  My favorite items so far are those in my Day of the Dead Wedding line.  Weddings are great, but Day of the Dead Weddings? How fun is that?! 

Besides all of the Day of the Dead art you have in La Santa Muerte, what else do you like to do?

I love to paint and make lino-cut prints!  I had my own studio when I was in college and a million resources at my fingertips that allowed me to build large canvases that were much, much, taller than I am while staying on a shoestring budget.  I drew inspiration from old family photographs and painted 6-foot portraits of lost memories.  I completely enjoy losing myself while making art to escape stress and other worries.  But aside from art, I spend a lot of time with my family, especially my nieces and nephews who are ages 4, 3, 2 and 1 and keep me busier than I could have ever imagined.

Day of the Dead Save the Dates

What first drew you to representing the Mexican culture in the way that you do?

When I first began drawing day of the dead art I did a lot of traditional skeletons and skulls, which a lot of my peers found to be sort of dark and macabre.   They didn’t understand or had never heard of the amazing and spiritual tradition behind Dia de los Muertos, which honors and celebrates the life of loved ones who have passed away. Over the years I’ve changed and developed my art to reflect the lively and colorful celebration of life and exemplify that skulls and skeletons don’t have to represent death but can depict and commemorate happy and loving lives.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?

Work hard, be patient, and never underestimate yourself! 

I think at the beginning of opening a new shop many of us are full of high hopes and big expectations for our carefully handcrafted work.  But we forget about the insane amount of work and patience we have to develop in order to be successful.  It’s ok to get frustrated from time to time when we feel our work is going unnoticed, but it’s important to take everything day by day and not allow our negative emotions to take over us entirely.  Take a breather, jot down your emotions, and make a plan of action to change the way things have been going for you.   Who knows, your frustration might lead you to develop new products that are a big hit.

And always, always have faith and courage in yourself.     

Day of the Dead Wall Art

You can also find Ebelyn on Facebook here, Tumblr here, and her personal website with work she created her senior year of college here. Pretty soon you’ll be able to find her at My Petite Doll on etsy, but that’s still a well kept secret!

In addition to such inspiring words, La Santa Muerte is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! Ebelyn will be giving away this original 5x7 in. Day of the Dead Sugar Skull giclee print! Sweet! [frame is not included]

 

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) this Friday, September 30th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, La Santa Muerte, and leave a comment here about your favorite item(s). Additional entries for: 1) becoming a first time follower of A Girl and Her Scout 2) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your blog 3) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your facebook and/or twitter 4) “Hearting” or adding La Santa Muerte to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of her store (one entry for every purchase). Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!

Day of the Dead Pendant

In addition, until October 27th she will be offering a  15% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.