Sharon Sieben's skeletal ode to The Beatles'  "Abbey Road" album cover is true to form: John in his full white suit, Paul barefoot, Ringo  and George making the famous "walk", legs triangulated, all the while noting neither the artist name nor the album title. 

The idea for the original cover was based on sketched ideas by Paul. The picture itself was taken in early August 1969 on Abbey Road (of course) outside EMI Studios. Around lunch that day, photographer Iain Macmillan was given just ten minutes to take the photograph. He climbed a small step-ladder while a policeman held the traffic, and created perhaps the most iconic, and most imitated, images of all time. (There are oodles of great tidbits about the photo, and if you're interested in reading more, I suggest this BBC article.)

Sharon's painting of Abbey Road takes flavor from the culture around her home. "As an Arizonan, you can’t help but fall in love with the beauty and mystique of Dia de Los Muertos, " she says. "It’s an incredibly festive time that honors departed family members, and it inspired me to paint skeletons celebrating life." At the bequest of her clients, she began to paint famous subjects including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and Norman Rockwell.

"Beatles Cross Abbey Road” is the latest incarnation of her series, and I believe her best. With two of the Beatles having passed, and two still living, the sense of transition from one world to the next is particularly potent, but not haunting. Her jolly skeletons bring visions of George and John groovin in the after life.