Camila Morales Guzman “Tio Junior & I” Charcoal and tissue paper on construction paper 30.48 cm x 36.83 cm

This artwork was inspired by Dia de Los Muertos and the idea that our loved ones come to visit us on that day. It is a recreation of a photo of my late uncle and I, and I tried to recreate the same happiness seen in the photo. The papel picado is reminiscent of Dia de Los Muertos, and it is the color purple because it was his favorite color, as well as mine. My late uncle is seen in Catrin makeup to symbolize his passing.

“Death & Life” Camila Morales Guzman Acrylic Paint on Canvas 40.64 cm by 50.8 cm 2025

I was inspired by Gustav Klimt’s “Death & Life (First Version)”, however I instead have my late uncle holding my baby brother. Unfortunately, they never met, so this painting is what I imagined their interaction to be like. Several differences between them can be seen in the patterns and color schemes, highlighting the differences between life and death, similar to Gustav Klimt’s painting. 

Camila Morales Guzman “Father Daughter Dance” Acrylic and graphite on canvas 50.8 cm by 60.96cm July 31st, 2025

This project was inspired by my own cousin, who had to dance with a picture of her late father during the father daughter dance at her quinceanera. The loss of a loved one can impact such an important milestone which is what I aimed to convey in this project. The father daughter dance is one of the key traditions in a quinceanera, symbolizing love and guidance. To experience that moment without such a significant figure is a constant reminder of his absence, the beauty and sorrow that accompanies it. 

Camila Morales Guzman La Santa Muerte Charcoal on canvas 50.8 cm by 60.96cm July 31st, 2025

This project is based on La Santa Muerte, a personification of death popular in Mexico. I incorporated elements seen in several La Santa Muerte depictions,  like the crown featured along with the rosary she is often seen with, which highlight her symbolic presence. 

Camila Morales Guzman “Fountain of Youth” Color Pencil on Paper 30.48 cm x 45.72 cm

For this project, I wanted to do the Fountain of Youth, with a woman sitting next to it showing that it had worked for her.  I was inspired by a painting, “Fountain of Youth,” which was made in 1546 by Lucas Cranach the Elder. The statue is of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty which ties in with youth, further showing that it is the fountain of youth. 

Camila Morales Guzman Death’s Waiting Charcoal and oil pastel on paper 30.48 cm x 35.56 cm October 2025

This artwork was inspired by Arnold Boecklin’s “Self Portrait with Fiddling Death”, in which he can be seen with Death standing behind him. I tried making it similar with the darker color scheme and incorporating the darker colors to show the coldness of Death waiting.  Death is seen standing behind the girl in the mirror, representing her incoming death. 

Camila Morales Guzman “Cuando Muere Una Dama” Gouache on paper 30.48 by 45.72 cm 2025

I was inspired by Frida Kahlo’s “Self Portrait with Cropped Hair,” and I wanted to use a similar composition with Jenni Rivera, an American singer who passed away years ago. I wanted this painting to be a celebration of her life, and her song “Cuando Se Muere Una Dama” reflects this perfectly so I used the lyrics as part of my painting. She is wearing her iconic dress with butterflies flying behind her, symbols of her iconic career as a woman revolutionizing regional music in Mexico. 

Camila Morales Guzman “Playing with Tío” 2026 Charcoal on paper 30.48 x 45.72 cm

This artwork depicts my younger cousin playing with our uncle. Unfortunately he never got to meet him, so it depicts a small activity that he never got to do with him. Small activities like these are often ones that we often miss when someone passes away. These moments are often the only things that make us feel connected to our loved ones.