In 2012, David Lozeau, a former corporate graphic designer from New Hampshire, moved to California and experienced an artistic reawakening during the celebration of Dia de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead"), an event that would shape the rest of his career.
This event, celebrated with music, dance and group gatherings, falls on November 1 to November 2. It is a way to remember and honor loved ones who have died. Family and friends build altars to invite the souls of their departed, offering them special food, gifts and flowers.
“When I first experienced the Day of the Dead, seeing the celebration each year and sharing in the community’s favorite foods and favorite songs, I was moved by the pageantry and beauty of it all. I thought, wow, I wish I had done that when I knew someone who had died,” Lozeau said.
The colors and liveliness juxtaposed with the ideas of mortality made a deep impression on Lozeau. He began using acrylics, gouache and enamel to create vibrant, unforgettable paintings that honored the purpose and nobility of Dia de los Muertos. He created unique characters in his distinctive, illustrative style, representing skeleton musicians, deep sea creatures, Wild West banditos, doe-eyed animals, high choctane motor sports, military troops, lovers, and geishas.
In 2014 David Lozeau was commissioned by Fender to produce designs that could be used as artwork for a limited edition run of Fender Stratocasters, bringing his colorful and distinctive art to the guitar world.
This event, celebrated with music, dance and group gatherings, falls on November 1 to November 2. It is a way to remember and honor loved ones who have died. Family and friends build altars to invite the souls of their departed, offering them special food, gifts and flowers.
“When I first experienced the Day of the Dead, seeing the celebration each year and sharing in the community’s favorite foods and favorite songs, I was moved by the pageantry and beauty of it all. I thought, wow, I wish I had done that when I knew someone who had died,” Lozeau said.
The colors and liveliness juxtaposed with the ideas of mortality made a deep impression on Lozeau. He began using acrylics, gouache and enamel to create vibrant, unforgettable paintings that honored the purpose and nobility of Dia de los Muertos. He created unique characters in his distinctive, illustrative style, representing skeleton musicians, deep sea creatures, Wild West banditos, doe-eyed animals, high choctane motor sports, military troops, lovers, and geishas.
In 2014 David Lozeau was commissioned by Fender to produce designs that could be used as artwork for a limited edition run of Fender Stratocasters, bringing his colorful and distinctive art to the guitar world.
The first four Special Edition David Lozeau Art Stratocasters
David produced seven pieces; the first four were unveiled at the 2015 Winter NAMM show and were available since March 24 of 2016.
The blue Dragon model highlighted David's passion for Japanese lore, the antique Rose Tattoo model was a nod to the beauty and heartbreak of music, the red Sacred Heart model reflected Lozeau's love for traditional Day of the Dead iconography, and the orange Tree of Life model conveyed his playful, modern take on the centuries-old celebration. Only 500 pieces for each design were realized.
On September 15 the purple Voodoo Priest model, the only one with a painted pickguard, was also released. This was limited to just 100 units.
Two designs never went into large production, the Mariachi Band and the Octopus Tentacle.
These wonderfully colorfu Special Edition David Lozeau Art Stratocasters were based on the Mexican Standard model and featured a flat-top body, a smooth back finish, and a laser-etched Lozeau neck plate.
The blue Dragon model highlighted David's passion for Japanese lore, the antique Rose Tattoo model was a nod to the beauty and heartbreak of music, the red Sacred Heart model reflected Lozeau's love for traditional Day of the Dead iconography, and the orange Tree of Life model conveyed his playful, modern take on the centuries-old celebration. Only 500 pieces for each design were realized.
On September 15 the purple Voodoo Priest model, the only one with a painted pickguard, was also released. This was limited to just 100 units.
Two designs never went into large production, the Mariachi Band and the Octopus Tentacle.
These wonderfully colorfu Special Edition David Lozeau Art Stratocasters were based on the Mexican Standard model and featured a flat-top body, a smooth back finish, and a laser-etched Lozeau neck plate.
The Voodoo Priest Strat
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David and the Octopus Tentacle Stratocaster, Courtesy od David Lozau
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David with the Mariachi Band model, Courtesy od David Lozau
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For NAMM, David also painted and aged two Stratocasters for the Fender Custom Shop, the Rat-A-Tat Bomber Strat and the Rat-A-Tat Tank Strat, assembled by the Master Builder Dale Wilson, featuring custom WWII tank and airplane inspired artwork and sold to international buyers.
During NAMM, David painted three new Stratocaster guitar-themed pieces (Underwater Strat, Day of the Dead Strat, and Koi Dragon Strat) in the Fender booth to serve as entertainment and a visual aid for event attendees.
During NAMM, David painted three new Stratocaster guitar-themed pieces (Underwater Strat, Day of the Dead Strat, and Koi Dragon Strat) in the Fender booth to serve as entertainment and a visual aid for event attendees.
The Rat-A-Tat Bomber Strat
The Rat-A-Tat Tank Strat
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The three new Stratocaster guitar-themed pieces painted by Lozeau at 2015 Winter NAMM, Courtesy od David Lozau
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