New work: "Potential" Mandala

"Potential" by Cristina McAllister

This piece features a character who has shown up in my sketchbook off and on over the past 10 years.  I don't have a name for her, but she seems to represent the magic of Life, of wisdom, of growth and goodness.  

Detail from "Potential"

 She's part woman, part tree; an ambassador of Life in it's many forms.  She often carries a lantern, which indicates to me that she is a guide - a light-bearer to lead one through darkness.  She is also adorned with many spiral motifs - ancient symbols of outflowing energy, growth and evolution. 

Here she holds a symbol called the Seed of Life, which she is nurturing with her breath to sprout into branches which entwine with her own.   The central medallion features open locks and keys - symbols of unlocking potential.   

Starcode message from "Potential"

The circular band contains a starcode message.  You can find more information on my starcode here, if you want to try your hand at decoding it: http://www.gypsymystery.com/StarcodePage.html

 Prints on fine art paper, canvas and other option (including mats and framing) are available here:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/potential-mandala-cristina-mcallister.html


sacred art digital art
mandala prints
pagan prints

“Mystery”

Detail from "Mystery" by Cristina McAllister

I’m really excited to present this piece.  I feel like it’s taken my work to a new level. 

Interestingly, it took a trip through the dark to get there.

I don’t talk about it much, but I struggle with occasional depression.  It runs in the family, and fortunately, it’s never been severe.  There are just certain days when I can’t seem to get my thoughts turned the right way ‘round.    

All my doubts and fears are magnified, my motivation and enthusiasm seems to evaporate.  For whatever reason, even though I KNOW I’m not being rational, I can’t seem to find my way to the positive outlook I usually have.  I can’t seem to manifest ME.  It’s frustrating and…well, depressing.

By now, I’ve learned to recognize that it’s temporary, so it doesn’t worry me too much.  I just have to ride it out, and eventually the dark cloud will lift.

I have learned that on those days, it’s best to set aside creative endeavors (my Muse usually visits on brighter days) and keep busy with something basic, or find a distraction to maybe cheer me up. 

The other day was One of Those Days.

After spending the morning cranky, unfocussed and frustrated, unable to find a distraction to grab my attention, I decided to grab my sketchbook.

I didn’t want to feel the way I was feeling, so I thought about feelings I DO like to feel.

One of those feelings is a sense of Mystery.  That enchanting sense that wondrous things are possible, that the answers to all those deep questions are out there (or within, or both), and they are extraordinary and magnificent.  It’s a feeling of sacredness, of reverence; it’s the secret song that serenades the Soul.

This feeling is one of the reasons I’m drawn to studying sacred art and spirituality in its many forms, to explore the explorations of other minds that have delved deep into the Mystery and shared their insights.   It’s one of the reasons I’m fascinated with symbols – how they can convey secret messages to those who learn their language.

“Mystery” is the result of this escape into the refuge of my imagination and inspiration.

"Mystery" by Cristina McAllister

There are many symbols entwined in this elaborate mandala, many images that invite you to ponder their significance.  There is even a secret code – an idea I’ve been contemplating integrating into my work for awhile.

"Mystery" StarCode message.

The blue bands with the stars contain a message, encoded in a simple alphabet-substitution cryptogram.  The message in the art doesn’t contain enough information to crack it (though you’re welcome to try!), so I’ve provided a sample, below, for you to work with, if you are inclined to take a whack at solving the mystery.  Please let me know if you do!

A sample of my StarCode - can YOU decipher the secret message?

Future works will contain more starcode ciphers.

This piece is more elaborate than my previous work, and took a lot more time and effort to create.  I was striving to balance complexity with legibility, to create an overall impression of ineffable mystery that dissolves into comprehension as one wanders through the details.  I wanted to create a sense of exploration and discovery, to try to capture that sense of wonder and reverence I value so much.

To that end, I’m not going to explain all the symbols in this one.  I’ll leave that for you to discover.  Many of them I’ve used before, and have written about in art descriptions and blog posts.  The internet is a fantastic resource for finding answers.  And do not discount your own, intuitive interpretations – they are just as valid, and perhaps even more meaningful, than the established connotations.

What does the Mystery whisper to you?

So...I feel like this piece has raised the bar for me, and it taught me something; my Muse is willing to visit me on my bad days, if I invite her in  :)

Fine art prints of this piece are available from my print shop (you can also zoom in to get clear images of the details here):

 http://fineartamerica.com/featured/mystery-cristina-mcallister.html?newartwork=true

Shakti Series Video Montage

 

I've put together a little video montage of my Shakti Series. I recommend clicking the link below, so you can see it full size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcI-06eCpRM&feature=youtu.be

Soundtrack music is a beautiful song called "Endless Reverie" by Azam Ali.

MP3 available here: http://www.amazon.com/Endless-Reverie/dp/B000XU7CDK

Please share this video, and/or leave a positive comment on the YouTube page. 

Every little bit of support helps!

River Goddess: A Peek Behind-the-Scenes Part 1: Concept and Research

"Unity in Diversity" Adinkra symbol

I invite you to join me on an artistic adventure! Follow me (if you dare!) as I journey through my creative process to create an new piece of art for my latest series of works.

Over the last few days I’ve solidified the general concept for my next series; Global Goddesses.

In this series, I'll explore the idea of Unity in Diversity.

Every person, culture, tribe, religion and social group on Earth has their own unique personality and way of life.  Yet most of the core ideals – the things we hold sacred – are universal; they are concepts that unite us as a single Human Family. 

We are endlessly creative in our interpretations and expressions of these ideas, but what we hold in our hearts is largely the same around the globe, and throughout history.

In the Global Goddess series, each design will take a look at a particular concept as expressed through the female deities of many cultures, combining the aspects and associated symbols into a single goddess figure that encompasses the global expression of that idea.

My first work in this series expressed the idea of the Sacred Mother, who embodies many things; the feminine gender, fertility and the creation of life, nurturing and comfort, purity, protection, unconditional love and the earth itself, among others. (Click here for more information on this design).

My second piece is focused on the idea of the sacred river, or fresh water source. 

While all forms of water are associated with feminine energy, it is fresh water that is most often represented as a female deity.  Oceans and seas, with their terrifying vastness and savage storms were more often seen as male, while rivers, lakes, ponds and springs were more often seen as more benign and life-giving – traditional female traits.

Once I’ve got my concept, the next step in my creative process is to start doing some research. 

The internet is an invaluable tool for this.  We now have access to the nearly all of human knowledge and information at our fingertips!

Google searches lead me down electronic pathways to information and references that I can incorporate into my work.  I also page through my collection of books on mythology and symbolism, and delve into YouTube, Hulu and Netflix for documentaries that touch on the subjects I’m studying.

I dive deep into the River to try to understand her essential nature. 

Along with mythological and cultural information, I also explore scientific data related to the topic.  Many of the associations and attributes connected with mythical figures are based on observations of the natural world. 
Earlier peoples who established these notions lived in much closer harmony with nature than most of us do today.  Their world was not one of man-made environments, but of wild landscapes, plants and animals, atmospheric phenomenon and seasonal changes, all of which directly effected their daily lives.  They had an intimate relationship with Nature, and saw themselves reflected in it.    

Exploring current scientific understanding of these things can lend insight to the mythical stories created by our ancestors (see the P.S. at the bottom of this entry for an incredible example of this!).

As I explore, I make notes and scribbles, compiling the ideas and symbols I want to include, and begin to start to sketch out my basic composition. 

Once I hammer out what elements I want to work into my design, I begin my second phase of research – reference for the visual images themselves. 

In the case of the River Goddess, I seek out portrayals of fresh water goddesses from around the world and throughout history.  

 I also search for references for associated imagery. In this case, fresh water plants and animals, pictures of how water and rivers are portrayed in different art styles, and various images linked to the core concepts that are related to fresh water; abundance and refreshment, baptism, healing and cleansing. 

I strive to include deities and art styles from many different cultures and blend them harmoniously.

This is my initial (very!) rough composition sketch with notes:

Since I realize how unintelligible my scribbles are to untrained eyes, here’s a transcription of the notes:

Title: Waters of Life

Plumed headdress – papyrus?  Feathers

Purity (white lotus)

Baptism (shell with 3 drops)

Streams of fish and water life:

Catfish

Salmon

Ducks

Turtle

Eel

Frog

Salamander

Piranha

Dragonflies

Water birds

Crawfish

Crabs

Snake

Water lilies

Lotus

Reeds

Papyrus

Crane

Egret

Shrimp

Otters?

Beavers?

Tadpoles

Kingfisher

Skimmers

Cattails

Healing

Fins

Blue and white beads

Oshun- fish tail

Anuket (Nile)

Rocks

Crocodile

Swirly waterfall

Flowing out

Water jug

White lotus

Shell

 The next step will be to refine my sketch and begin to design the finished elements and overall design.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

PS:  I'd like to share something I discovered in my research that I think is pretty amazing!  

The Ganges River is the most sacred river in India - revered by Hindus for many thousands of years as a life-giving goddess (Ganga Maiya).  Though her waters are muddy and polluted by the millions of people who have used and continue to use the water for bathing, laundry, sewage, disposal of the dead, and more...the people have always maintained that the water is not only safe, but cleansing and purifying.  The faithful believe the waters actually prevent disease.

Surely, this is nothing more than foolish (and dangerous) superstition!

Yet when the British colonized the area, the East India Company would exclusively use Ganges River water to take on their ships, because it was said to stay fresh on voyages much longer than any other water.  Outbreaks of water-born diseases have been comparatively lower in the Ganges area than in other highly-populated (and polluted) waterside areas.  It also produces fewer numbers of disease-bearing mosquitoes.

Western scientists have been studying this phenomenon since the late 1800's, their research producing astonishing results, but few answers. It was found that when the bacterium that causes Cholera was put into  water from the Ganges, it died within three hours, while the same bacteria continued to thrive in distilled water even after 48 hours. They also discovered that boiling the Ganges water negated this antibacterial effect.

More recent study has begun to unravel the mystery, and it is truly amazing.  It turns out that the Ganges does have unique properties that keep the waters clean. 

It has been found that a the waters of the Ganges have a uniquely high level of oxygenation (25 times higher than other rivers), which processes waste and putrefying matter much more rapidly than anywhere else in the world. The Ganges cleans up suspended wastes 15 to 20 times faster when compared to other rivers. No one is sure why the oxygen level is so high, but it may have something to do with ancient glacial melt-water sources, and the water's rough journey through the Himalayas.

The Ganges' water is also inhabited by bacteriophages - a kind of parasitic virus that attacks specific types of bacteria.  The massive amount of human usage of the river has actually maintained a thriving population of these fascinating organisms, which prevent the water from becoming dangerously contaminated with water-born diseases.

So the Ganges does indeed have fantastic powers!  Nature has provided the sacred waters with an innate, self-cleansing balancing system that keeps the waters "pure" despite the heavy burden of pollutants it takes on.

I love it when modern science confirms traditional folks wisdom instead of simply dismissing it as foolishness!  There IS magic in this amazing world of ours, and as we invent new ways of detecting and understanding Nature, we will continue to discover more of it's fascinating secrets.

Listen to an audio article about this here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17134270http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17134270

Read a text articles about this here:

http://www.hitxp.com/articles/science-technology/sacred-mystery-secrets-ganga-ganges/http://www.hitxp.com/articles/science-technology/sacred-mystery-secrets-ganga-ganges/

"Sacred Mother"

This piece celebrates one of humanity's most ancient and universal sacred concepts; the Sacred Mother.
The earliest piece of human art ever found is a voluptuous female figure, known as the Woman of Willendorf, thought to represent a Mother Goddess.

The Sacred Mother embodies many things; the feminine gender, fertility and the creation of life, nurturing and comfort, purity, protection, unconditional love and the earth itself, among others.

Every culture has a mother figure in their mythology.  They are often the female counterpart to the main male god, but many scholars believe that in earlier pagan (pre-Christian) times, the goddess was regarded as the supreme deity because of her exclusive ability to give birth.

In this piece, the Christian figure of the Virgin Mary (the mother of Jesus Christ) is central.  Her pregnant belly is represented by a mandala made of intersecting heart shapes that signify a mother’s unconditional love.  Below this is an image of the Paleolithic Woman of Willendorf, mentioned above.   

I've imagined her in the style of a Hindu goddess with multiple arms. In one hand she holds an egg, in the other, a sprouting acorn. Both of these are symbols of fertility and new life.  

She stands upon a lotus flower, a Buddhist emblem of purity and enlightenment.  She is surrounded by a doorway adorned with flames, which signifies protection, purity and holiness. The halo also represents divinity, the roses atop her head are symbols of love and beauty. The doorway is flanked by lilies – a flower associated with motherhood in many cultures.  

Above her head is a crescent moon.  The moon is traditionally thought of as feminine, and its waxing shape is associated with the growing womb of pregnancy.

In the upper left corner is the Japanese kanji for “mother”.  In the upper right is a vesica pisces (vessel of the fish), an ancient symbol that represents the vulva – the portal through which new life emerges. The stars around her head embody the notion of the Cosmic Mother, who brought the entire Universe into being.

This artwork is available as a high quality fine art digital print HERE. Prices start at $24.

The Global Goddess Series explores the idea of Unity in Diversity.

Every person, culture, tribe, religion and social group on Earth has their own unique personality and way of life.  Yet most of the core ideals – the things we hold sacred – are universal; they are concepts that unite us as a single Human Family. 

We are endlessly creative in our interpretations and expressions of these ideas, but what we hold in our hearts is largely the same around the globe, and throughout history.

In the Global Goddess series, each design will take a look at a particular concept as expressed through the female deities of many cultures, combining the aspects and associated symbols into a single goddess figure that encompasses the global expression of that idea.

Shakti: "Love"

“There are as many forms of love as there are moments in time.”
- Jane Austen

 This article outlines 15 different types of love, and countless other essays, speeches, books and articles have explored this topic, since the beginning of human history.
We are fascinated with Love because it's powerful stuff.  The thrilling temporary insanity of new romantic love, the heart-melting (and ferocious) bond of maternal love, the sometimes suicidal love for tribe, faith or country.  Love has the power to inspire us to behave in ways that may seem extreme or irrational - with great enthusiasm!

There have been many studies and writings that explain the biological and evolutionary motivations for love. There are even more artistic explorations of the topic.  Sociology studies have found that about 60% of contemporary pop songs are about love.  The vast majority of films include some kind of love story, a trend in popular entertainment stretching back to the days of the ancient Greeks.  Countless books have been written about it, from love stories to philosophical treatises to "how to" manuals.

It's a topic that's near and dear to our hearts, and the heart has long been associated with love.  In earlier times, the bowels or loins were thought to generate feeling of lust and strong emotion, but by biblical times, the heart was commonly considered the source of such feelings. These days, this notion is largely considered a poetic contrivance, but new scientific studies suggests that the heart does indeed play a role in emotional processing, communicating with the brain neurologically (through the transmission of nerve impulses), biochemically (via hormones and neurotransmitters), biophysically (through pressure waves) and energetically (through electromagnetic field interactions), which significantly effects the brain's activities.

The Dalai Lama said: "Compassion and love are not mere luxuries. As the source both of inner and external peace, they are fundamental to the continued survival of our species."
Compassion is the "understanding or empathy for the suffering of others. It is regarded as a fundamental part of human love, and a cornerstone of greater social interconnection and humanism —foundational to the highest principles in philosophy, society, and personhood."
Practicing compassion has been a cornerstone of every major religion for thousands of years, and science has produced plenty of reasons for the wisdom of this.  
Compassion has been proven to make us feel good.  Empathy and altruism increases production of oxytocin, which has been linked to feelings of well-being, stress reduction, improved would healing, overcoming fears, increased generosity, emotional bonding and improved memory function.
Developing and practicing a compassionate attitude is a surefire way to increase your level of happiness and reduce suffering.
 While the ego-centric concept "every man for himself" was celebrated during the Industrial Revolution, seemingly supported by Darwin's astonishing new theories of Natural Selection, a huge amount of data collected since then has shown that altruism and cooperative behaviors are important factors in evolution and the survival of both individuals, species, and ecosystems. 

However we define or experience love in it's many forms, it is unquestionably an important aspect of our existence.  For many, it is the essential ingredient that makes life worth living.
 

I've expressed many aspects of love in this work from my Shakti Series.
The figure embraces herself, symbolizing self love and acceptance.
Her outstretched arms offer Compassion to her fellow human beings, and she gently reaches out to the flowers below, showing love for Nature and the global ecosystem.
The red roses are a symbol of romantic love.
Universal love is represented by a winged mandala depicting the Buddhist concept of the Universe, featuring the Ohm emblem of Universal Harmony.
On her headdress is a symbol that combines the heart and the infinity sign, expressing Eternal Love.

High quality fine art prints of this piece are available here:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/love-cristina-mcallister.html

Shakti: Shaman

I am a conduit;

A bridge between Worlds:

Heaven and Earth

Spirit and Flesh

Time and Timelessness

My Consciousness shifts, opens

To the Wisdom of the Spirits

The Healing of the Plants

The Teachings of the Animals

The Portents of the Stars

The Whispers of the Cosmos

I am Protector

Advisor

Healer

Guide

Reading the Pulse

Of the Eternal Heartbeat

Leading my People to Dance

In Harmony with the Sacred Rhythm

...

In tribal cultures all over the world, since the dawn of human society, shamans have served as intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds.  Through many years of training and observation, they develop the wisdom to interpret omens and offer insight.  Through mystical, as well as practical means, they protect and guide their people.

Shamans commune with the Spirit Realm by altering their consciousness through ritual, dancing, chanting, meditating, and the use of sacred psychoactive plants.  In this altered state, they can access the dreamlike visions beyond the mundane world and communicate with beings that inhabit other planes of existence. This profound perspective offers them unique insight into the workings of the Universe, and allows them to guide their people to exist in harmony with the greater cosmos.

They are healers, teachers, counselors and ceremonial leaders, essential to the tribe’s wellbeing and communal identity.   

 This piece is a part of my Shakti Series.  It features a figure who is Human, Animal, Plant and Spirit.  She is marked with tattoos that grant her power and protection, and she cradles a Shaman’s Eye; a Native American symbol of wisdom and supernatural insight.

Prints of this image are available here.

Metamorphosis Shakti Art Pendant

Introducing the first release in my new line of Gypsy Mystery Jewlery.
These beautiful pendants feature my Shakti designs printed on a shimmering background, under sparkling glass and framed by a vintage-style setting in an antique bronze finish.

"Metamorphosis" is an art nouveau-inspired celebration of spiritual transformation;
Like the life stages of a butterfly, we move through the metamorphosis of maturity and spiritual growth. First, our caterpillar phase; like a lowly grub we crawl through life, ravenously consuming with care for little else. Then we wrap ourselves in a chrysalis; turning inward to explore the potential within. Finally, we emerge as radiant beings, soaring aloft on graceful wings of serenity.
The symbol at the top is a West African adinkra symbol that means “self-directed transformation”.

Art pendant is 1 1/8” square, with an adjustable 24" chain. Made of lead and nickle free zinc alloy with an antique bronze finish. Packaging includes art description and symbolic meaning.

I make each one of these myself, and I'm selling them for $16.50 each, a perfect price for gifting - to yourself or to loved ones.  Click the button below to order direct from my new and improved Gypsy Mystery Arts online store:



Stay tuned for more designs!

Calliope Goes to Los Angeles Decom 2012

 

Calliope the Wonder Wagon @ L.A. Decom 2012

           I found my way to the Burning Man community in Los Angeles after attending my first Burn in 2003.  Since that life-changing experience, the Burning Man community has become a vital part of my life that has brought me profound joy and inspiration.  I’ve met countless amazing people (including my husband), been a part of fantastic creative endeavors and learned many inspiring lessons from my participation in this community of exceptional individuals - not to mention having a whole lot of fun!

Photo by Mike Smith

            Every year, the Los Angeles League of Arts puts on an event called “L.A. Decom” – short for “decompression”.  This is a bit of burner jargon that references the common experience of returning to the “real world” after the radical freedom of Burning Man, and realizing how “compressed” modern life feels.  “Decompression” has come to mean a Burning Man-related event held a month or so after the main event in the desert that brings a taste of the Burn home and gives participants a chance to “decompress”.

Photo by Mike Smith

            Numerous regional Burning Man organizations hold these events, including San Franscisco, San Diego and Los Angeles.  Many of them take the opportunity to reach out to the local communities and share a bit of what makes Burning Man so special – the art, music, costumes, participation, playfulness and core tenets such as “Leave No Trace”, gifting, civic responsibility and gratitude.

            As we did last year, Dore and I displayed Calliope The Wonder Wagon at L.A. Decom this past weekend, and we had an absolute blast!  There seemed to be a lot more people this year – especially new faces – folks who just stumbled upon the event, or were curious about Burning Man and wanted to see what it was all about.  Everyone I met seemed to be having a great time.

Hobo clown shenanigans!  http://www.diatomaceouslove.com/

            We literally had hundreds of people visit Calliope and take a look inside and out.  At many points throughout the day and evening, folks were lined up outside to get a peek at the interior.  In less crowded moments, small groups made themselves comfortable for a brief respite in Calliope’s colorful, cozy space.

            It brings us so much joy to share our magical gypsy trailer with people.  She inevitably arouses smiles, delighted surprise and inspiration.  People are first captivated by the vibrant exterior artwork, and then they get a glimpse inside and their faces just light up.  Calliope’s combination of artistic whimsy and functionality seems to inspire people like nothing else I’ve been a part of. 

Photo by Mike Smith

            Dore loves to talk shop with folks interested in the details – what we started with, how much it cost, where we got parts and how he built various bits, roadworthiness, how we tow it and other practical considerations.  There are many people who have dreamed of something along these lines since they were children, and we wholeheartedly encourage folks to chase that dream and make it come true.  I imagine a caravan of caravans, having joyful adventures and bringing smiles to all we pass.

            I particularly enjoyed seeing the kids’ reactions.  There were a lot of young people at the event this year, and Calliope seems to be particularly alluring to little girls.  One of my favorite moments was when a couple of mothers brought their toddler girls in to take a look.  Afterwards, I offered them art postcards to take home.  As I stood on the porch of this little fairytale house in my colorful, sparkly gypsy costume, their eyes got huge and round and I imagined them wondering if I was some kind of fairy godmother.  It was a brilliant “I love my life!” moment.  :)

Cristina McAllister working on a panel of Seraphim

            I also got to contribute to the Los Angeles CORE (Circle of Regional Effigies) project, Seraphim.  This marvelous installation piece features four large angel figures, representing the diverse ethnic and cultural influences of our fair city.  I was invited to paint one of the panels that make up the base, and spent the morning working on that.  I went with an angel figure design reminiscent of my shakti, with human, angelic, animal and plant features, holding a flaming heart.

             Participation was encouraged by having markers available for writing personal messages on the raw wood areas of the piece.  This is a Burning Man tradition inspired by the Temples built every year at the Burn.  These spectacular structures, unique each year, serve as non-denominational sacred spaces; places to reflect and share, and memorialize events and loved ones.  On the last night of Burning Man, the Temple is burned in a glorious and reverent ritual, sending the hopes, dreams and emotions scrawled upon it into the heavens.

"Seraphim" flame vortex structure surrounded by angels

             

The original plan was to burn the Seraphim installation at the L.A. Decom event (the first time a “burn” was to be sanctioned in Los Angeles) but unfortunately, dry conditions caused the Fire Marshal to cancel the burn.

            There are plans in the works for a future event in a safer location to make the CORE team’s plan a reality.

Photo by Curious Josh @ http://curiousjosh.com/

                    All in all, L.A. Decom was a great success.  I connected with so many wonderful people and got to share some of the inspiration that has enriched my own life beyond measure.  

Cristina McAllister and Dore

Some links to follow down the Rabbit Hole:

Info on Burning Man: http://www.burningman.com/

More about the Seraphim project:

http://burningmancore.wordpress.com/effigies/seraphim/ 

L.A. Decom and Los Angeles League of Arts:

http://www.laburningman.com/la-decom

Photos of the Temples at Burning Man:

https://www.google.com/search?q=burning+man+temples&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Zp&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=5k18UO3ILorFiwKzmYDIBQ&ved=0CCAQsAQ&biw=1007&bih=626

Black Rock Yearbook Photo Booth pics from L.A. Decom:

https://www.facebook.com/blackrockyearbook?sk=photos_stream

 

More about our Hobo Clowns from Diatomaceaous Love:

http://www.diatomaceouslove.com/

More Photos by Curious Josh:
http://curiousjosh.com/

NEW: "Shakti: Gratitude"

 

A Spirit of Gratitude exults in the glorious beauty of Being. With radiant heart and embracing wings, she expresses deep appreciation for the blessings, challenges, wisdom and mysteries of the Universe. The Gratitude symbol is centered at top. Bouvardia blossoms twine around her, emblems of appreciation and enthusiasm.

"Gratitude: We learn the magical lesson that making the most of what we have turns it into more. Say thank-you til we mean it. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. Denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity...problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes things right. Today, I will shine the transforming light of gratitude on all the circumstances of my life."
                                                                  -Melody Beattie,

                                                        The Language of Letting Go Journal: A Meditation Book and Journal for Daily Reflection

I've been thinking a lot about gratitude lately - realizing more fully its profound power.

I often find myself stuck in negative thought patterns - worry or frustration or just plain crankiness...but once I become aware that these thoughts are dominating my mind, I can take a step back, widen my perspective, and bring my focus back to the positive things.
I begin to realize that the bad things, scary things, annoying things...they are only a small part of all that there is.  By acknowledging the good as well, I can find some Balance. 

Gratitude can turn a harrowing experience into a valuable lesson that can serve you for the rest of your life.  Gratitude can turn boredom into joy, apathy into enthusiasm, self-pity into motivation.  It is a path that always brings me back to Center - to realize the powerful potential of my own consciousness to shape my own experience, rather than being a victim of my circumstances.


Prints available here:
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/gratitude-cristina-mcallister.html

Art Spotlight: "Heartbreakers"

 

Part of my Cristina's Angels pinup series, "Heartbreakers" was largely inspired by Cirque Berzerk, a circus troupe with a dark, sexy style incorporating burlesque and vaudeville elements.

 

CLICK HERE for tanks, tees, hoodies and more.

CLICK HERE for fine art prints on paper, canvas and greeting cards.

IgNight Brochure Design

My Fire Spirit shakti made a special appearance on the IgNight Fire Flow Conference workshop schedule brochure.  Stay tuned for my post about my experiences of that amazing weekend! 

Art Spotlight: Shakti: Metamorphosis

A glorious Spirit of Transformation.

 Like the life stages of a butterfly, we move through the metamorphosis of maturity and spiritual growth.
First, our caterpillar phase; like a lowly grub we crawl through life, ravenously consuming with care for little else. Then we wrap ourselves in a chrysalis; turning inward to explore the potential within. Finally, we emerge as radiant beings, soaring aloft on graceful wings of serenity.
The West African adinkra symbol "sesa wo suban", (at center top), represents self-directed transformation.

 The word "metamorphosis" is derived from the Greek words "meta", or "change", and "morphe", "form".
It is used in biology to describe the literal, often dramatic, physical changes that take place during the developmental cycles of many life forms.
It is also a term used in myth to describe the (often temporary) transformations of gods, sorcerers or other magical beings into alternate forms.
It can also be used symbolically to refer to profound internal, spiritual change - a transformation of perspective, attitude and understanding.

It is generally defined as: "A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function."*
It's antonym is stagnation.

"It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not." 
 ~ James Gordon

For most people, change can be a scary thing.  We are comforted by the familiar.  But change is necessary for growth and improvement.  We must learn to transform ourselves from within, and develop the flexibility to flow with changes that we cannot control.

Follow this link for more information of the symbolism of the butterfly.

"Metamorphosis" is part of my "Shakti" series, featuring female figures and symbolic elements that express a particular theme.

Color fine art prints are available here: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/metamorphosis-cristina-mcallister.htmlhttp://fineartamerica.com/featured/metamorphosis-cristina-mcallister.html


* definition from: http://ahdictionary.com/