New Hoodies!

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! 

To Dye For

So, I've been experimenting with printing my artwork on apparel, and have gotten a good response.
So far I've tried t-shirts, tank tops and hoodies, which are turning out cool and are popular, but I want to do something more interesting and expressive, something more feminine and unique.  I also want something that I, personally (as well as other voluptuous ladies like myself), would and could wear.  The cute tanks and tees are usually sized for more petite women.  I'd like to make some styles that are flattering to all kinds of figures.

"Fire Spirit" on black burnout tank

I started looking around for options and discovered the Dharma Trading Company, (not to be confused with the Dharma Initiative!), which has a drool-worthy selection of fabric dyeing supplies, including a large variety of plain white garments made to be dyed.

The extent of my dyeing experience has been a few instances of using RIT to make something from the thrift store more acceptable.  But I adore textile arts - the fabrics, yarns, textures, colors.  It's something I've long admired but haven't actually jumped into.  Now I had the perfect excuse!

So I grabbed a few sample garments to play with, some dyes and other required supplies and began making a mess!  I mean...being creative!

My first experiment resulted in hands and feet stained a nice bruise-like purple.  I guess they were serious when they recommended wearing gloves and protective clothing. I'll have to get over my dislike of working in gloves. The colors ended up a bit less vibrant than I'd hoped, and one color didn't dissolve properly, which resulted in little flecks of intense pink...an effect I actually quite like!
Apparently, colors with red in them tend to be harder to dissolve fully. 

Freckles!

My next attempt had much more vibrant colors - I'd realized that I hadn't used enough dye powder for the amount of water last time.  I also was using cold water instead of lukewarm to mix the dyes, and adding the salt at the beginning with the dye and soda ash, instead of after the dye had had a chance to dissolve.  I was also working with a different fabric this time, which may be a factor - further trials are required to confirm this.  I also used a slightly different technique and let it develop for a full 23 hours (so I got a little impatient!), instead of the 6 hours I'd done last time.

"Namaste Reflectograph"

I’m discovering that dyeing is a bit like baking…there’s chemistry involved, so you have to stick close to the recipe or it’s not going to come out right.  I am by nature more of a soup or stir-fry/improvise and modify type of gal.  But this medium requires a bit more diligence, and I found myself getting into the process and enjoying taking the time to measure and mix things correctly…though I have to admit that it does take a fair bit of time to do it right.  But splashing the dye around and playing with blending colors and whatnot is pretty fun!

There's also an interesting element of surprise involved that I really like.  The colors often do not look the same in powder form, or even when mixed, as the end result, so you never know quite how it's going to turn out once it's processed, rinsed and dried,  or how colors are going to interact.  How wet the fabric is when you apply the dye is also a factor.  It reminds me of the random accidents that happen when working with pottery glazes or patinas - a little bit of chaos thrown in with your creative choices.  Just like LIFE!!!

Rayon sundress

Sun in my eyes...

Once I had the garments dyed, I screen printed my designs on them.  The results weren’t perfect – my printing press is not designed for apparel – but I think there’s potential here!

What do you guys think?  Would you buy something like this?  And how much do you think would be a fair price for this kind of one-of-a-kind, hand-dyed and printed-with-unique-designs apparel?

Cotton tunic with flowy sleeaves

Click here to see what I've got for sale!

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/

NEW! Gypsy Mystery Apparel

"Fire Spirit" tank top

Over the past year as we've been hawking my wares at various marketplaces, I've had numerous people suggest that my work would look good on apparel.  I've also noticed that many people are more likely to purchase something that adorns themselves, rather than something that adorns their home.
Perhaps it is a matter of finite wall space, or maybe buying art seems like more of a commitment..?  Perhaps it is simply a more direct form of self-expression, one you can take with you wherever you go.  We humans have been decorating ourselves since the stone age, after all, and our fascination with "wearable art" has been fundamental throughout history.  What we wear serves many purposes, from the practical matter of protection from the elements, to the more complex social aspects of modesty, identification, and self-expression.

In any case – as I was pondering these suggestions and observations, I was contacted by someone else who’d seen my work on Etsy and thought my designs would look good on apparel – and he just happened to be all set up to print on apparel, whereas we are not. 

 Jeff Coleman, owner of NtheGroove Fine Art Printmaking Studio in San Diego, mainly focuses on collaborating with artists to create unique, high quality fine art prints, but has recently branched out into apparel as well.
And since I’m interested in creating attire that’s more akin to wearable art than mass-produced clothing, it seemed like a serendipitous connection.  Turns out he’s a joy to work with, as well. :)

Tupa spins some fire in one of my Fire Spirit tanks. *

We premiered our first, “experimental” batch of T-shirts and tank tops at the Lucidity Festival last month, and also did some for the IgNight Fire Flow Arts Conference (which was AMAZING, btw - more on that later!).  They were very well received, we sold a bunch, and we got a lot of great feedback.

Our available selection can be found on my Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/cristinamcallister

More options are in the works.  My goal is to develop some products that are more interesting than your standard T-shirt offerings, and we’re looking into more unique styles and possibly some hand-dying and other embellishments.
Stay tuned for future developments!

"Namaste" design

"P.L.U.R." design

"Fleur-des-Lis" design

Check Our NtheGroove's Etsy Shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nthegroove

* Special thanks to Curious Josh for the use of his beautiful photo.  More of this photos from the IgNight Fire Flow Arts Conference can be found here:  http://www.curiousjosh.com/g1/ignight-festival-fire-flow-celebration-conference

Lucidity 2012; the Dripocalypse

Apollo & Calliope, Live Oak Camp  Photo by Mike Smith**

Our trip to the Lucidity Festival in Santa Barbara, CA, last weekend was truly an epic adventure! 

The weather reports promised 70% chance of rain on Thursday and Friday, and I hoped that we’d get some light sprinkles, as opposed to a miserable downpour.  Alas, my prayers to the rain gods were summarily dismissed – they had other plans!

We traveled the 3 hour journey on Thursday night, winding through dark hills and valleys in drizzle and creeping white-knuckled through pockets of fog. Dore once again managed to guide Apollo (our Jeep) and Calliope (our gypsy camper trailer) safely to our destination, though there were a few scary moments. We arrived around 10:30pm to a drenched campground, squelching through mud and getting soaked through whenever we left the shelter of our vehicle.

We pulled Calliope up near our setup area, deserted due to the downpour. Everyone was huddled in their tents or vehicles, so we climbed into our trusty gypsy wagon to weather the storm ‘til morning.

Unfortunately, Calliope wasn’t quite watertight.  This was the first time we’d taken her out in a rainstorm, and we discovered that the edges of the roof had a few gaps that allowed the copious deluge to find its way in.  Fortunately, I’d brought plenty of paper towels and extra bath towels, which we stuffed into the cracks to soak up the drippage.
Dore braved the elements to throw a tarp up over the roof, which kept us a bit drier, but got him a whole lot wetter.  We wrung out and hung his soaked clothes up as best we could and turned on the gas stove for a bit, resulting in our own personal, steamy little sauna.

Calliope's Rose Window  Photo by Mike Smith

The night shook with tremendous thunderclaps and the disconcerting, ripping sound of lightening, which sounded like it was striking VERY nearby.  It was quite the epic storm, and I nervously wondered aloud what would happen if we were struck by lightening.  “We’d probably explode,” was my husband’s reassuring answer.  But we were surrounded by trees and structures taller than us, so there was that small comfort (haha). 

We jokingly dubbed this dramatic night: "The Dripocalypse".

  As I sipped some wine and snuggled next to my husband in our slightly damp little gypsy cave, reading a good book* by flashlight as the elements raged around us, I felt my tension and anxiety melt into exhilaration and a deep gratitude for a life less ordinary.  We were in a beautiful oak forest, safely sheltered inside a magical gypsy wagon that we’d built together, while Nature’s awesome power thrashed around us.  I realized that I was really quite happy to be there.

The next morning the rain had slackened a bit, the most threatening of the thunderheads had moved on, but it was still mighty wet.  We managed (despite treacherous mud slicks and gopher holes) to get Calliope into place under a gorgeous old oak tree and spent most of Friday waiting out the storm.  We caught up on some sleep, got a lot of reading done and got to know some of our camping neighbors – lovely people each and every one!

Photo by Yay Fuzzy**

I am always inspired by the hardy resilience and good spirits of the folks who attend these camping festival events.  Despite plans being upset, hours lost, equipment drenched, unavoidable wet and mud, there are always smiles, hugs, offers of help and positive attitudes.  These are the kind of people who don’t let a bit of rain get in the way of their good time.  I know that there are MANY, MANY people who would be whining and stressed out and miserable in this situation – I’ve been that person  myself on many occasions - but this community has taught me that being whiny and miserable is a choice.  You also have the option to put things in perspective, make the best of it and be pleasant, despite things going wrong. 

Calliope & the Gypsy Mystery Arts booth

That afternoon, the sun broke through the clouds – the sudden golden glow cutting through the gray gloom of the day.  A cheer rose up from all around, hundreds of voices rejoicing, whooping and howling through the sparkling forest.

The next two days were absolutely gorgeous.  The storm had scrubbed the sky clean and majestic white clouds sailed across the brilliant blue.  The birds were singing, and everyone’s spirits were soaring.  Enduring the dreary weather had made us all the more appreciative of these bright and sparkling days.  I must have seen at least a dozen people stop in the middle of a clearing, turn their smiling faces to the sun, open their arms and just soak up the warmth and light.  Beautiful.

Once we were able to set up our booth and put out the art, we got a fantastic response.  We had opted for placement in the Healing Sanctuary area, as opposed to the main marketplace.  In past experiences, a bustling marketplace hasn’t been very conducive to folks taking the time to really enjoy the artwork.  People would just zip by with barely a glance. 

But this serene, sacred space invited people to actually explore and connect with the imagery.

One young man wandered into the booth and spent a minute looking around, smiled, and said: “It feels really good to look at these.”  I think that may be one of my all-time favorite comments on my work! 

Many wonderful discussions were sparked, many people expressed their enjoyment and appreciation of my artwork, and we sold a number of prints and shirts.  We got tons of useful feedback and ideas to explore in the future.

Photo by Yay Fuzzy**

We also set out some cushions this time next to Calliope, along with a guide to the symbolism contained within the elaborate “Garden” artwork on her side (you can explore The Garden here).  As we’d hoped, many people made themselves comfy and contemplated the piece.  Several people said they’d seen many of these symbols before, but didn’t know what they meant, and appreciated the information. 

We got to hang out with old friends and make many new ones.  Dore was, as always, a most excellent partner.  Calliope needs a bit of repair and maintenance, but she served us very well.  It’s always a joy to invite people in to explore Calliope, and share our story – she is no doubt an inspiring conversation-starter!

Dore and Myself

It was a phenomenal weekend, despite the less-then-ideal weather at the start, or perhaps in part, because of it.  I’m energized and inspired and looking forward to the other festivals we will be attending this Spring and Summer. 

Next stop: IgNight Fire Flow Arts Conference!

*So glad I brought along my copy of Ginny Reb, by Brian Haner - wonderful Civil War historical fiction

 **Special thanks to Yay Fuzzy (koliedeescope@gmail.com) and Mike Smith for their beautiful photos

Art Spotlight: "Shakti: Sacred State"

"Shakti - Sacred State"

"Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in Eternal awareness or Pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity. "
                                                                                    -Voltaire

Rooted to the Earth, mind soaring into the Cosmos.  Lifted from the Illusion of Separation, Tuned into the Unity of All.  The Third Eye opens, widens in delighted wonder and blissful serenity. 

"Sacred State" is part of a series I'm working on called "Shakti", which features iconic goddess figures and symbolic elements.

Full color prints available in a wide selection of sizes and printing options in my Digital Art Shop (prices vary).

Other pieces is this series:

Shakti: Fire Spirit

Shakti: Water Spirit

Shakti: Air Spirit

Shakti: Earth Spirit
Shakti: Divine Life
Shakti: Night Song 

Shakti: Fleur-de-Lis