Legends of Belize

This is a Concept Art piece of GrisDismation's Legends Of Belize, Tata Duende, the animated movie. Currently in production. Art by Dismas/GrisDismation. LegendsofBelize.com For centuries folklore and legends have been incorporated into various cultures and are told orally. These amazing stories and traditions are passed down from our elders and continue to fascinate many. GrissyG and I, Dismas, are artists, animators, and authors who are intrigued by the stories of supernatural happenings, ghosts, monsters and things that go bump in the night. For more than a decade we have been working on learning, documenting, and sharing folklore from Belize, the country we were born in. Belize is a wonderful tropical place in Central America with friendly people and delicious foods. It is a country rich with multicultural backgrounds and amazing folklore and legends. The mix of Maya, Garifuna, Mestizo, Mennonites, to mention a few, adds to the diverse and evolving culture of people, storie...

For centuries legends of terrifying creatures have been told in Belize, Central America. These legends have been captured and documented in a series of fine Art and books, painted, authored, and designed by artists and animators GrissyG and Dismas, together known as GrisDismation. Born in Belize, the two collaborative artists and life partners have taken on a mission to document the Belizean myths in a series of Art and books. The books are artistically designed from cover to cover with detailed information and images of fine Art about Belizean folklore to present a cultural and educational experience. The "Legends of Belize, Creature Book" and "Legends of Belize, A Series About Mythical Creatures That Dwell In The Jungles And Waters Of Belize." are available in e-book, paperback, Find where to purchase your copy at  LegendsofBelize.com Legends of Belize Creature Book includes fourteen Art depictions and descriptions of the legendary creatures. The ...

Part 3 of Belize Watch TV Show with host, Rene Villanueva and guests GrissyG and Dismas talking about Belizean folklore like Tata Duende, Xtabai, Llorona, Sisimito and more. For more information about Belize mythology and folklore,  visit,  LegendsofBelize.com Art and Animation by GrissyG and Dismas. Need storyboards, character designs, or animation for indie films, commercials, music videos, and more? We produce original 2D hand drawn digital animation from concept to completion. Visit our site  www.GrisDismation.Biz  for more info. Email us:  GrisDismation@gmail.com

Part 1 of Belize Watch TV Show with host, Rene Villanueva and guests GrissyG and Dismas talking about Belizean folklore like Tata Duende, Xtabai, Llorona, Sisimito, and more. For more information about Belize mythology and folklore, visit,  LegendsofBelize.com Art and Animation by GrissyG and Dismas. Need storyboards, character designs, or animation for indie films, commercials, music videos, and more? We produce original 2D hand drawn digital animation from concept to completion. Visit our site  www.GrisDismation.Biz  for more info. Email us:  GrisDismation@gmail.com

                     Acrylics on 6 by 4 foot Canvas tapestries.                                             By: Dismas Cadejo is the devil incarnated as a savage black dog that walks the village streets on dark nights in Belize. According to legend, Cadejo is accompanied by an evil spirit that drags a chain and prey on the souls of drunks. Some drunks have been fortunate to survive an encounter with Cadejo because a white Cadejo appears and fights with the black Cadejo. Drunks that survive will forever be plagued with nightmares of Cadejo. For more information about Belize mythology and folklore, visit LegendsofBelize.com Art and Animation by GrissyG and Dismas. Need storyb...

                      Mixed media on 2 by 4 foot wood panel.                                             By: GrissyG Sucia is an evil seductress that appears laying in the bushes by deserted roadsides of Belize. According to legend, Sucia bears her breast to seduce men to follow her deep in the jungles. Men that follow Sucia into the jungle become lost and disoriented for days while she waits for them to grow weak then steals their soul. For more information about Belize mythology and folklore, visit  LegendsofBelize.com Art and Animation by GrissyG and Dismas. Need storyboards, character designs, or animation for indie films, commercials, music videos, a...

                      Acrylics on 6 by 4 foot Canvas tapestries.                                             By: Dismas Tabai is an evil male spirit that lives in the Ceiba trees of Belize. According to legend, Tabai has some features of a woman to trick men to follow him. Once the men are isolated in the jungle, Tabai reveals his true identity and beats them to death then takes their soul. For more information about Belize mythology and folklore, visit  LegendsofBelize.com Art and Animation by GrissyG and Dismas. Need storyboards, character designs, or animation for indie films, commercials, music videos, and more? We produce original 2D hand drawn digi...

                       Mixed media on 2 by 4 foot wood panel.                                             By: GrissyG Llorona is a jealous spirit that appears by the riverbanks of Belize. According to legend, Llorona weeps on rainy nights because she killed her only child and is cursed for eternity. Jealous of others, Llorona will steal children and drown them. For more information about Belize mythology and folklore, visit  LegendsofBelize.com Art and Animation by GrissyG and Dismas. Need storyboards, character designs, or animation for indie films, commercials, music videos, and more? We produce original 2D hand drawn digital animation from conc...

Mixed media on 2 by 4 foot wood panel. By: GrissyG The Xtabai is an evil spirit of Belize who appears as a beautiful woman. She seduces drunken men to follow her to her Ceiba tree. According to legend, the Xtabai whips her victim until he goes into a trance where he can lose his soul. Beware, the Xtabai is a malicious spirit that can appear as someone you know. For more information about Belize mythology and folklore, visit  LegendsofBelize.com Art and Animation by GrissyG and Dismas. Need storyboards, character designs, or animation for indie films, commercials, music videos, and more? We produce original 2D hand drawn digital animation from concept to completion. Visit our site  www.GrisDismation.Biz  for more info. Email us:  GrisDismation@gmail.com

A sudden whirlwind of leaves and twigs followed by an eerie whistle sends a chill down your spine. An ugly little man wearing a big red hat tugs at your shirt. He politely asks you to show him your hands. You look down and notice he has backwards feet. Never show the little man your hands… This is the warning from our grandparents and elders. Beware the mythic spirit called Tata Duende who dwells in the jungles. Descriptions about the hideous spirit frightened us to not go into the jungles or play outdoors late at night. The warnings taught us what to do when and if we ever came in contact with the evil spirit, but most importantly, we learned how to avoid dangerous encounters. A little bearded man with no thumbs, a big red hat and backwards feet are what some would describe as Tata Duende. Legend has it that no one can ever be sure if the spirit is coming or going because Tata Duende has backwards feet to confuse anyone who dares to follow it. Although, Tata Duende most...

Legends of Belize Legends of Belize is a series of 10 paintings, 11 graphic art logos and 10 brief descriptions, which capture and document the Belizean mythological creatures that have taught, scared, and intrigued people for many generations. GrissyG and Dismas were born in Corozal Town, Belize, Central America, but did not meet until 1999 in art class while earning their Associates Degree at Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) in Sylmar, California. In 2003 during Painting class taught by Barbara Kerwin studio Arts chairwoman at LAMC, GrissyG and Dismas began a series titled Legends of Belize. To develop Legends of Belize, information was compiled from childhood memories of the tales, books, Internet research, interviews with family and fellow Belizeans. GrissyG and Dismas also produced sketches developing the mythic creatures and included into the paintings visual clues and iconography that represent Belizean culture. From the sketches the final idea are deduced, painte...