Continued....
She was a kind person with a strong compassion to help others and also was a fellow artist with a unique way of expressing herself through painting. I miss those times we talked of art and dreams of painting new ones, and your enthusiasm to paint in front of a crowd or make your own flower beds. So I used your work as a backdrop of mine. A collaboration that I wondered you would permit? Asked a friend if you thought it be alright. Let me do this once to honor your vision in hopes we would speak again.
“Gotta do you a solid, Amanda Jean”
Missing You,
RenO
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Artist: AJ Siuta
Untitled
Acrylic on Canvas
The video below is a time-lapse sketch completed in Procreate on an iPad. It shows the steps of this drawing generated in chronological order, but sped up, along with the placement of Siuta's image of the above painting.
The result of this fusion of both artists was possible through the process of digital collage and then printed on paper with a color printer. This new image could now be cut again in physical and then applied to the walls and interior of the box. This resulting image is shown below.
Here are some pictures and videos of the assembling and application of the image.
Artist: AJ Siuta
Untitled
Acrylic on Canvas
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“Ode To AJ” 2024 displayed at the Pilsen Arts and Community House “Beautiful Souls” Art Show on October 11th - November 3rd, 2024. Below are pictures of the opening exhibit located at 1637 W. 18th Street, Chicago IL 60608.
Pilsen Arts & Community House is excited to host the 11th Annual “Beautiful Souls Coffin Show,” curated by Delilah “ZENA” Salgado. This beloved project has been supported by artists and community members for over a decade, growing from a modest beginning with just 13 coffins to a much-anticipated cultural event.
Over the years, the show has been exhibited in spaces such as The Native Soul Tattoo Shop, Mistress of the Arts Salon, Cultura in Pilsen, The Jumping Bean Cafe, 4Arts Inc., Zhou B Art Center, The Surreal Rabbit, Pilsen Outpost, Native Rituals, and now returns to Pilsen Arts & Community House, formerly Pilsen Outpost.
The show is a multicultural celebration blending the Mexican holiday Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with the American holiday of Halloween. Participating artists are invited to customize handcrafted 12x18 wooden coffins, created by master woodworker Tim Dashnaw.
This year’s theme reflects on the collective loss we’ve faced in recent times due to the physical and mental health, climate change, genocide, war, and other crises. Through this shared grief, we’ve undergone a metamorphosis—not only as artists but as human beings—focused on survival, care, and finding meaning in these experiences.
We invite artists and community members to honor those who have passed by painting, decorating, or creating mini altars using the wooden coffins. Let your work inspire remembrance, reflection, and celebration.
​Pilsen Arts and Community House’s mission is to provide a space where artists and community members can come together and engage in the transformative power of art and culture.