Oops

Just a little lesson in checking for proper paper registration before pulling your print.
There is definitely a learning curve on this silk screening business, but we are getting better with each mistake!

Art Spotlight: “Thank You” Special Edition Serigraph

“The winged heart, at center, symbolizes Love, Freedom and Rising to Full Potential.  Above, the spiral flame represents Passion and Creativity.  Below is the Japanese kanji character for "Gratitude" flanked by stalks of wheat, which symbolize Abundance.

Thank you for helping me follow my dreams!”

This design was created as a token of appreciation for those who contributed $30 or more to our art booth fund raising campaign. 

Twenty-nine Backers pledged over $1300, allowing us to get ourselves set up to sell my work at art shows and festivals.  We were overwhelmed with the generous show of support.

Each print is hand-pulled in shimmering gold ink and each one has a unique hand-painted background in purple and mauve tones.  Each print comes with a description certificate, which can be matted and framed with the print, if desired.
The print run was limited to 21 prints – 18 of them going to our munificent Backers, one artist’s proof for me to keep…and one each for my Mom and Dad, who have supported my artistic endeavors since I could hold a crayon. :)

Symbol Spotlight: Circles and Mandalas

Ouroboros; mystical symbol of cyclic nature

The 11-ring labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral

Circles have a long history of spiritual significance all over the world.

A simple circle is essentially a single line with no beginning or end.  This attribute links it to the concepts of infinity, completion, wholeness, unity, immortality, the Whole of Reality, and cyclic systems such as reincarnation, the Circle of Life, the astrological spin of the stars and orbiting of the sun and moon, the cycle of the seasons and the concept of circular time.

 It is considered by many cultures to have sacred, holy, auspicious and protective qualities.

a Medicine Wheel

Circles are found in many cultures and mythologies as integral elements of sacred art and ceremony;  Buddhist mandalas (Tibetan) and yantras (Hindu), Native American Medicine Wheels and sand paintings, the Aztec Calendar, the Taoist yin-yang symbol, the pagan pentagram and sacred circles for spellcasting, Stonehenge in England, and other stone circles around the world, fairy hills and fairy rings, Greek tholos (circular temples) and labyrinths, Christian rose windows, African drumming circles, the alchemical symbols for the Four Elements, the wheel of the Zodiac, Australian Aboriginal Bora rings, sacred sun symbolism and communal ritual dances as old as human society itself.

KalachakraSera.jpg Kalachakra thangka painted in Sera Monastery, Tibet

“Mandala" is a Sanskrit word for “circle”.  It has come to generally refer to sacred art in the form of a circle.

“Sacred art”, as I understand it, is art that is intended to uplift the mind or express a spiritual concept.  It is not merely decorative or entertaining – it has a functional purpose such as teaching, focusing the mind or creating a certain atmosphere or mindset.

Creation and/or contemplation of the image can help one enter an altered state of consciousness.

A mandala is a visual mantra - a tool that helps one cultivate mindfulness and focused awareness.

Jungian mandala

Carl Jung , an innovative psychoanalyst and contemporary of Sigmund Freud, saw the mandala as "a representation of the unconscious self."  He believed the act of drawing a “personal mandala” could connect the inner and outer segments of one’s being and express the state of one’s Self.  He used these mandalas to help him identify emotional disorders and work towards wholeness in personality.

"Aum Awakening" by Cristina McAllister

When I began making my symbol art, the circular mandala format was an intuitive place to start.  A round design lends itself to reflective symmetry, naturally creating balance and repetition to form harmonious patterns.

My mandalas are intended to help us be mindful of the subject matter, as represented by the various symbols within.  They are visual meditations, invitations to mindfulness and artistic celebrations.

Further Reading:

Mandala art of Paul Huessentamm:

http://www.mandalas.com/gallery.php

Mandalas by Clare Goodwin:

http://www.abgoodwin.com/mandala/gallery1.shtml

A look at the visionary mandalas of Hildegard VonBingen, a Christian monastic nun in the Middle Ages:

http://www.nwcreations.com/http:/www.nwcreations.com/monastic-mandalas-hildegard-of-bingen-guest-post-by-lillian-sizemore

Information on using mandalas as meditational tools:

http://www.algarveowl.com/FAQ/Mandala%20FAQ.htm

The Mandala Project:

http://www.mandalaproject.org/Index.html

Sources:

http://www.ablecrystals.com/medwheel.html

http://www.crystalinks.com/labyrinths.html

http://www.netreach.net/~nhojem/mandala.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KalachakraSera.jpg

True Life Story: Cat is HELPING!!!

It's no mystery why the Cat rarely fails to appear as I'm unloading the dryer.
She cannot resist the allure of freshly-laundered clothes, all warm and staticky.  Not only are they pleasant to lay upon and snuggle under, but covering them in hair (which adheres beautifully to the static) is particularly satisfying when they are so newly pristine.

When I sort the laundry for putting away, I toss the socks into a pile on the far side of the bed, from whence they get scooped into their proper receptacle (which is an old plastic mail bin from the post office that has this printed on it: "WARNING;  Maximum penalty for theft or misuse of postal property $1,000 fine and 3 years imprisonment (18USC 1707)".  We live dangerously.).

When the Cat materializes, I attempt to shoo her away from the pile of clean clothes.  Sullenly, she flops down onto the far side of the bed, right smack in the middle of the sock-tossing area.

Thus begins what has become a beloved ritual in our home.

I begin sorting the laundry and tossing the socks at her. Or, more accurately- on her.She mrowrs and complains (as she is want to do) but she doesn't bother to dodge or shake them off. Sometimes she lays placidly as the pile swells to envelop her.  Sometimes she wanders around the bed with socks draped over her and trailing behind.
It's become a game to try to toss them so they line up along her back, or cover every remaining visible bit of her.  I've gotten pretty good at it.
I find her willingness to be pelted and buried in clean socks hilarious (and oddly endearing).

In fact, I have come to enjoy putting the laundry away with her assistance, and I am saddened on the rare occasions when she does not show up to help.  I'll actually try to find her and call her in to assist.
It's just not the same without her.

Art Spotlight: “Tribe Of Us”

'Tribe of Us' by Cristina McAllister

This mandala was designed as a sort of logo for a group of close friends.
The central flower-like shape is made of overlapping, interweaving hearts. The figures are alternating male and female.

The symbols surrounding are (starting from upper left):

• Claddagh - an Irish symbol of friendship, love, and loyalty
• Spiral flame - passion, creativity (there are also several fire-performers in the group)
• Our Cup Runneth Over - abundance and celebration
• Yin-Yang - Chinese symbol for balance, interconnectivity, interdependence
• Añjali Mudrā - gesture that is a sign of respect and greeting
• Peace Sign - originally designed as a symbol for nuclear disarmament, it has come to represent peace, cooperation and understanding

Art Spotlight: “Soul Mates”

"Soul Mates" handmade serigraph by Cristina McAllister

This piece celebrates the notion of “soul mates”; two people who feel a deep connection to each other, whether they are close friends, lovers, partners or family.

            At center are two hearts that intersect, cradling a single soul (represented by an ankh, an ancient Egyptian symbol for “life force”). The two hearts also share a pair of wings – a winged heart made of two entwined halves. The winged heart represents the freedom to love, to feel, to courageously rise above the mundane and reach full potential. It is a sign of joyful optimism and a representation of the free spirit.  In this case, it signifies that together these two connected souls can soar to new heights. 

            Above, a Celtic knot weaves the hearts together, representing a steadfast bond.  Below, their roots mingle and embrace, suggesting a shared history and deep connection.      

            Ivy vines, which intertwine as they grow, represent friendship and loyalty- the twists and turns of long relationships that form lasting emotional ties. 

Below the ankh is a swirling flame, an image of warmth, vitality and light.

This piece is a wonderful gift for someone you feel especially close to, as well as a very special wedding gift.

Digital prints of this design can be purchased here:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/soul-mates-cristina-mcallister.html

"Soul Mates" digital print by Cristina McAllister

Fundraiser Success!!!

Our Kickstarter.com fundraiser has been a smashing success!

Our goal was to raise $1200 to prepare for an art show in Beverly Hills in May called The Affair In The Gardens.
Thanks to the very generous support of our backers, we've secured the funding and are feverishly working to get our stuff together for our application to the show.
That includes ordering a new commercial-grade booth canopy, building display panels, getting started with producing my art prints, and socking some $$ away for the booth fees, among other things.

We are very excited (and a little anxious, as the application deadline is coming up quick!)!!!
 Here's the link to our Kickstarter project page:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/839198614/gypsy-artists-take-over-beverly-hills

A description of the special edition art print (shown above) I've designed exclusively for the contributors can be found here:
http://www.gypsymystery.com/FundraiserPage.htm


Much love and gratitude to those who supported this cause and helped us take things to the next level.  I am blown away by your generosity and faith in me.  :)


If you have a creative project you need funding for, I recommend checking out Kickstarter.com as a possible resource: https://www.kickstarter.com/