Cristina's Angels

Video Portfolio Collaboration

2009-10-28T09:08:00.000-07:00

Check out this awesome Cristina's Angels video portfolio - put together by my fabulous friend DaBomb!

I won it by entering her running blog contest on Glamour Bomb. Simply leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered into a drawing to win a spot as her Featured Artist and a custom video portfolio of your own work!
You can also commission her to put together a video portfolio, if you don't want to rely on the luck of the draw.

DaBomb is a powerhouse of creative energy. Beyond her Glamour Bomb blog (which features art, fashion, crafts and more), she produces Burncast, the popular podcast that explores the Burning man Community (drink!), makes awesome playawear, hats, dreadfalls and other funky accessories, as well as selling vintage items through her ArtFire and Etsy shops.

The delicious music was created by another talented friend of mine, Pumpkin (a.k.a Los Angeles DJ Nick.the.Neck). I knew his brand of sexy, moody electronic grooviness would work perfectly for my Angels.
I told him I wanted something like "a cross between the sultry stuff on Massive Attack's Mezzanine album and sassy cabaret striptease music".
I couldn't really imagine what that would sound like, exactly, but it seemed like a good concept. He whipped together this track with astonishing speed, and it was perfect!

You can hear more of Pumpkin's original music here. He is also involved in a bunch of other amazing creative endeavors, including the unique performance troupe The Wandering Marionettes, L.A.'s own freaky circus; Cirque Berzerk, and underground DJ collective and party people Pocket Underground.

Learn More About DaBomb:
http://www.glamourbomb.com/2009/10/featured-artist-cristina-mcallister.html?utm_medium=pingfm&utm_source=twitterfeed
http://shop.glamourbomb.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=9048

Learn More About Pumpkin:
http://soundcloud.com/pumpkin
http://www.myspace.com/pumpkinsounds
http://wanderingmarionettes.net/
http://www.cirqueberzerk.com/#/circus
http://www.pocketunderground.com/

Introducing: Noel - A Brand New Holiday Angel!

2009-10-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

Bringing warm holiday cheer to the most wonderful time of the year, Noel is a flirty Angel with a Christmas kiss for anyone who steps up under her mistletoe.
Available now on apparel and greeting cards. Order now to get them in time for the holidays!
Buy Noel Apparel
Buy Noel Cards

Cards are blank inside, or order them with a personalized message printed inside!

SALE on Noel Cards - ONE WEEK ONLY!
Until October 19th, save $2.50 on a pack of 25 cards - perfect for sending holiday greetings to your fabulous friends! (Sale price: $47.50. Normal price: $50.00).

http://fineartamerica.com/showgreetingcard.php?id=582298
http://cristinasangels.deco-apparel.com/designs/design?d=198402013

Get Your Holiday Flirt On...

2009-10-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

...with a sassy Miss Mistletoe T.
This flirty Christmas fairy represents the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe, an ancient custom that symbolizes love, friendship and goodwill. It's also an excellent excuse to steal a smooch!
Order now to get yours in time to wear for the holiday party season!
Buy Miss Mistletoe Apparel
http://cristinasangels.deco-apparel.com/shop?c=84553

*Tip - you can choose whichever color you want from the shirt color selection!
* Website URL Watermark is not on the actual shirt art.

Behold: UNICORNDOG!!!

2009-09-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

I've got a new t-shirt design in the running at Threadless!

Please help increase my chances of getting my T-shirt design printed (and getting paid $2000 for it!) by following the link below, scoring it and making a positive comment, if you are so inspired.

The best score you can give it is "$5", which means you select the 5 to the right of the image, and check the "I'd buy it as" box next to that.

Your support is MUCH appreciated!

Original Art FOR SALE!

2009-09-23T15:57:00.000-07:00

Before I began my Cristina's Angels series of digital pin-ups, I explored the notion of sexy angels in my "Erotic Angels" series: original acrylic paintings embellished with sparkly sequins, jewels and 3-dimensional mosaic elements made from recycled cardboard.

The inspiration for this series grew out of my experiments with integrating embellishments and textural elements into my paintings.
Early Christian iconography often features the addition of precious stones, gilt and ornate borders that create a sumptuous effect that glorifies the subject matter – indicating divinity and holiness to be revered.
Combining these hallmarks of religious art with the sensuous female figures common in my work creates an interesting juxtaposition – a blending of the “sacred” and the “profane”. This seemingly incongruous pairing suggests a divine aspect in female sexuality.
The saintly halos and angelic wings transform these bold and sultry pinups from mere sex objects into sacred beings worthy of reverence.

Half of these paintings sold during their debut show, and I still have a few left. I'm offering them now at discounted prices.

"Marie", above, is a vision in perfect pink with lush powdered wig, roses and plumes, lace-trimmed corset, and sexy striped stockings!

This one-of-a-kind original painting measures 11 3/8” x 14 1/4.
Acrylic painting on hardboard, embellished with sequins, acrylic jewels and collage mosaic. Ready to hang- no frame required!

To purchase, simply click the link below of the image above and use the "Buy Now" button to make a secure purchase through PayPal.

http://www.cristinasangels.com/CMMariePage.htm

Aranwen Jewelry

2009-09-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

Vicki, from Athens, Greece, is the creative mind behind Aranwen Jewelry. She offers a wide selections of adornments, including antique-fusion-style necklaces and chokers, earrings and finger rings, cuff links and brooches....but her most stunning works (IMHO!) are her unique cuff watches.Each adjustable cuff watch features a working clock face (with replaceable battery) surrounded by gloriously rich detailing in lead-free silver-plated or antiqued brass. Swirling scrollwork, graceful floral accents, delightful dragonflies, coy cupids, regal wings - accented with Swarovski crystals, pearls and Czech glass beads - all of these elements are harmoniously arranged to create ornate, yet elegant pieces that are suitable for both ladies and (flamboyantly inclined!) gentlemen.Check out more Aranwen Jewelry designs at their Etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5451132

DeviantArt Gallery:
http://aranwen.deviantart.com/gallery/

Blog:
http://aranwen.blogspot.com/

Just in Time for Talk Like A Pirate Day

2009-09-18T13:12:00.001-07:00

Aaaaahhhrrr, Mateys!
Tomorrow be International Talk Like A Pirate Day, and I be celebratin' by introducin' new apparel featurin' our own piratical pin-up Angel, the timber-shiverin' Lady Claire.
This flamboyant filly has buckles to swash and a bodacious booty, and she's now available on a treasure trove of fanciful finery - T-shirts, tank tops, hoodies and more! Aaaahhhrrr!

http://cristinasangels.deco-apparel.com/shop?c=80818

NEW! Steampunk Apparel Design!

2009-09-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

Introducing: Madame Remington's Corsetry & Armory - for the Formidable AND Fashionable Lady Adventurer!

Express your feminine daring-do and your love of Steampunk style with this indubitably delightful design. Cleverly mimicking a vintage advertisement, it features a singularly lovely (and sturdy!) bullet-proof corset, with cunningly-fashioned built-in holsters for pistol and dagger, as well as a handsome ammunition bandolier and state-of-the-art aetheroptic goggles.
Everything the intrepid Lady Adventurer needs to boldly go where no man has dared go before, and look stunning all the while!

Available now on T-shirts, tank tops, raglans, hoodies and more!
I've chosen shirt colors that I think compliment the design, but you can choose whichever color you wish from the available selection.
More apparel options available on zazzle.

http://cristinasangels.deco-apparel.com/shop?c=80703
http://www.zazzle.com/madame_remingtons_corsetry_armory_tshirt-235134157777229612

"La Rosa" Apparel now Available

2009-09-15T15:23:00.001-07:00

Get T-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, raglans and long-sleeved shirts featuring this unique image - Exclusively from the Cristina's Angels Heavenly Apparel Shop!

http://cristinasangels.deco-apparel.com/designs/design?d=196163868

NEW ANGEL: "La Rosa"

2009-09-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

Introducing "La Rosa" - a bit of a departure from my usual "pin-up" genre. This Angel is more somber, but still seductive.
This image was inspired by my recent exploration of the Mexican folktale La Llorona, as well as a long-time appreciation of the Dia De Los Muertos traditions.
I just love the look of calacas - the whimsical skull and skeletons, often embellished with colorful designs, that are associated with that celebration. I've also incorporated the elements of intricate Spanish lace and twining vines and roses.
"La Rosa" is now available as fine art prints and greeting cards.
Apparel coming soon!

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/la-rosa-cristina-mcallister.html

Swingin’ Pasties from Gothfox and some Nipply History

2009-09-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

…and I don’t mean the meat pie kind!
Gothfox offers unique made-to-order nipple pasties, many of them featuring “easy-twirling” tassels (also handmade!), which are “*magically* placed in an eyelet” to facilitate smooth swinging.
Gothfox is owned and operated by Loretta Jackson, a retired burlesque performer with the experience and craftiness to design tempting, as well as sturdy pasties for personal and professional use.FYI- pasties are, indeed, pasted on - using spirit gum, eyelash glue, latex adhesive or double-sided toupee tape or Fashion/Flash tape.
Please also note that Gothfox's pasties are not just one-size-fits-all. Four sizes, gently cupped to conform to femenine curves, ensure a perfect fit for every body - measured not by the size of the breast, but the areola.
Gothfox offers a wide variety of shapes, colors and designs, embellished with rhinestones, feathers, shimmery/sparkly/patterned fabrics, bows, lace, trims, tassels and more!

Of particular note are these gorgeous peacock-feathered pasties, the whimsical stripy-goth Beetle Juice pasties, the elegant Lo-Pan's Desire pasties, and the out-of-this-world Star Trek insignia pasties. Phasers set to stun, Captain!
So what's the deal with these saucy, sticky little tit-toppers, anyway?
Well, I did a bit of poking around and here's what I found out.

In early burlesque and striptease performance, revealing costumes were often preferred over blatant nudity. Dancers wearing strategically-placed seashells or sparkles enticed the audience with the promise of exposure, but left the details to their imaginations. Of course, topless shows were also popular, so whether to reveal or conceal the titillating tips of their tempting tatas was up to the performer.
In the Roaring 1920's, burlesque - a form of entertainment that included satire, performance art, bawdy comedy and erotically-charged dance performances, flourished. Around this time, the term "strip-tease" first appeared, and the art of tantalizing the audience by slowly removing clothing became increasingly popular.
This of course, freaked out the moralists, and restrictions were placed on just how much naked flesh could be shown. These codes made exposing the female nipple in public against the law, and pasties became a required costume element.This did little to dampen anyone's enthusiasm, however.
The barely-there coverups merely served to enhance the mystique of the forbidden nipple.
Early stripper Carrie Finnell is credited with adding tassels to pasties and pioneering the art of tassel-twirling. Is is said that she had such control of her bountiful breasts that she could twirl the tassels at different speeds and in different directions with such panache that her breasts were compared to propellers readying for lift-off.
Dancers skillfully turned what was supposed to be a limitation into yet another enticing weapon in their erotic entertainment arsenal.

Nowadays, with toplessness once again prevalent in the "exotic dance" industry, pasties are generally considered old-fashioned. Luckily, with the recent explosion of neo-burlesque preformers, the true art of striptease is once again being appreciated, and pasties are an essential element of the seductive restraint that sets it apart from the less artful bump-and-grind of most modern stripping.

Steampunk Angel Costume

2009-09-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

This young lady won 1st place in the costume parade at the 2009 Elf Fantasy Fair Haarzuilen, Netherlands.

She would fit in perfectly with my Angels, would she not?

More wonderful pics of some truly spectacular costumes from this (unfortunately rather far away!) event can be seen here.

http://www.elffantasyimages.com/index.php?view=gallery
Above photos by Photos by MeAndMyMachine and xxxVitanixxx, respectively.

Scoundrel's Keep Corsets and More!

2009-09-11T12:37:00.000-07:00

Designer Heather Luca, out of St. Paul Minnesota, is the formidable force behind the gorgeous creations of Scoundrel's Keep apparel.
Her main forte is corsets - so far she has a line of 14 beautifully crafted corset designs with delightful details and distinctive flair, including three unique corset dresses.The superlatively inventive Ms. Luca can take even a basic design to new levels of creativity with various fabrics, adornments and embellishments - take a look at her Lola corset variations for a sampling.I'm particularly enamored of her unique Sabine corset design (shown at the top of this post), a unique underbust corset that features a high back with charmingly steamy buckles and straps.
She also has a lovely selection of other steampunk/Neo-Victorian apparel, including jackets, blouses, skirts, bloomers and petticoats and accessories.

Check out more of Scoundrel's Keep's gorgeous and beautifully photographed creations here:
http://www.scoundrelleskeep.com/

Custom Avatar Portraits - Only $65!

2009-09-10T11:49:00.001-07:00

Did you know that you can commission me to create a uniquely expressive portrait for use on your profile or website?
Just send me a clear (and flattering!) photo to work from to get a good (perhaps slightly idealized!) likeness, and the rest is up to your imagination. I can embellish you with fantastic clothing, accessories, even a fabulous new hairstyle! If you can describe it to me, or better yet, point me to a reference picture of what you have in mind, I can do it.
You can even be an Angel!

Express your true self with distinctive style and artistic flair!
These also make great gifts for someone special.

This sample features my dashing and debonair husband, who is already quite fabulous as-is, but I added some groovy steampunk goggles for extra panache!

Avatar portraits are only $65 - a bargain for a one-of-a-kind custom portrait.
Please note that this is a special price for a small format, head-and-shoulders portrait only, with a limited level of detail and is intended for personal use only as your profile picture*.

Shoot me an email at cristinamcallister@sbcglobal.net and we'll get started on creating your perfect avatar.

*Large format, full-body, more detailed and elaborate portraits are available, as is full copyright to the image, for $250-$500, depending on the level of detail. More info here.
http://www.cristinasangels.com/CustomAngelsPage.htm

Steampunk Nouveau

2009-09-10T09:51:00.001-07:00

by Italian illustrator Martina Cecilia.
Online portfolio:
http://www.sarapica.net/
DeviantArt Gallery:
http://mary-chan.deviantart.com/gallery/

Featured Angel: Estelle

2009-09-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

The name "Estelle" means "star", and this glamorous bombshell is glittering like the jewels of the heavenly Firmament! With the sweet charm of Marilyn, a sophisticated sweep of Art Deco, and a shimmering sprinkle of sparkles, Estelle has got megawatts of star power!

Available exclusively from Cristina McAllister as high-quality digital art prints on fine art papers or canvas and customizable greeting cards.

Addicted Image

2009-09-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

An enticing moment captured by Addicted Image:
http://addictedimage.com/

Kat Bret Photography

2009-09-09T11:30:00.001-07:00

My first glimpse of San Francisco photographer Kat Bret's work was the above image, which I spied on a steampunk site some time ago. Recent web wanderings have lead me to more of her lovely imagery - here is a small sampling.
More of Ms. Bret's work can be found on her website:
http://www.katbret.com/index.php
and her DeviantArt Gallery:
http://katbretphotography.deviantart.com/

Lacy Chokers by Art of Adornment

2009-09-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Art of Adornment is a Canadian jewelry studio that creates "historically-inspired vintage Victorian, romantic Renaissance, daring 1920's and dark modern Gothic style - limited edition and one-of-a-kind accessories made from rare, unusual and exquisite components".
I'm especially taken with their lace chokers made from fancy trim and appliques embellished with jewels and pendants.
Beyond their elegant jewelry, they also carry a selection of hair accessories and hats, hosiery, fans and wooden "cigar box" purses and jewelry boxes.

http://www.artofadornment.ca/catalog/index.php

Lush Imagery from Aesthetic Alchemy

2009-09-02T14:13:00.000-07:00

Multi-talented Darien Revel, the mind (and apparently body) behind Aesthetic Alchemy, masterfully combines moody sets, lush costumes, fierce makeup, props and lighting to create unique fine photography for the fashion and portrait markets.
I adore the glasses!
http://www.aestheticalchemy.com/

More Fantastic Hats...by Elsie Massey

2009-09-02T11:23:00.001-07:00

I just received a letter from Ms. Purdy, whom I recently featured in a post about her fabulous hats. She informed me that the hat pictured at the top of that post was not one of her own creations, but was, in fact, made by one Elsie Massey – another delightful hatmaker and colleague of hers.

Elsie Massey Originals is a fourth-generation family business that originated in New Castle-on-tyne, England by Elsie's Grandmother. The shop has an extensive selection of finery to choose from: English garden hats, French riding hats, Walk-in-the-Park hats, Touring hats, small brim, large brim, chiffon brim, hats for children, and more.
She has even thoughtfully gathered all of her black hats into one section for the Gothic purists, or perhaps for those looking for mourning attire.

I just love all the rich colors and charming details. They evoke a bygone era of elegance and style that’s rarely seen in everyday life nowadays. How fun it must have been to swath oneself in fine silks and brocades and feathers and flowers!
But I’ve read enough historical novels to know that wearing extravagant outfits every day was no Walk-in-the-Park, so to speak. We’re lucky that these days we can choose to play dress-up when we want to, and relax and be casual when we don’t.
Beyond her marvelous hats, Elsie’s shop also features Victorian accessories such as lace and crochet gloves, decorated parasols and fans, feathered hairclips and these wonderful Victorian collars – delightfully simple garments that can effortlessly turn an ordinary blouse or dress into a fabulous period costume piece.

My favorite creations, though, are her fanciful Victorian Witch hats – a unique twist on the ubiquitous pointy chapeau traditionally worn by spell-casting sorceresses. Adorned with whimsical bats, spiders, autumn gourds, fall leaves, even a crow familiar…these outrageous concoctions are pure wicked fun! Seeing these makes me want to design a whole costume to go with them – a fabulous, flamboyant Madame Magick to cluck and fuss over the wee trick-or-treaters on All-Hallows Eve.
We do still have a couple of months till the end of October...hmmmm...

Find Elsie Massey hats and more at:
http://www.elsiemassey.com/

The Pyramid Collection

2009-09-01T11:36:00.000-07:00

This print and online catalog features a selection of apparel, accessories, art and gift items that focus on “Magick, Myth, Fantasy & Romance”.
Their “themes” include renaissance, gothic, wicca, Celtic, pirates, and more. They don’t have Steampunk listed as one of their themes, but they do have a number of items that happily fit into this category.
Here are some highlights:

The Pyramid Collection

http://www.pyramidcollection.com/default.asp

Sneak Peek: New Angel in the works!

2009-08-31T13:04:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted a new angel for awhile, but that doesn't mean I've been slacking off!
I have been working on one that's rather ornate and time-consuming, in between freelance jobs.
Here's a little preview of the work in progress.

Update: This piece has been finished!

The Queen of Trees

2009-08-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

I caught this documentary on PBS last night and my mine was blown!
I love nature documentaries, but I confess that when I saw what this one was about – a type of fig tree in Kenya, Africa – it didn’t immediately intrigue me.
How exciting can a tree be, anyway?

I was soon to find out that the sycamore fig tree is the center of an incredible ecosystem that involves everything from microscopic parasites to elephants, and in between…insects, birds, monkeys, bats, fish, crocodiles, and more!

The life cycle of this amazing tree is vitally intertwined with that of the minuscule fig wasp (small enough to fly through the eye of a needle), that is its sole pollinator. This mind-boggling symbiotic relationship – mostly taking place INSIDE the fruit, is beautifully filmed using innovative techniques, not to mention plenty of patience.
A sample of this incredibly intimate filmwork can be seen here.
More behind-the-scenes info on how they achieved these amazing shots and the work that went into this production can be found here.
Beyond the jaw-dropping revelations of the wasps’ adventures, there’s the aphid-herding ant “security force” that drives off animals harmful to the tree, drunken butterflies, parasites upon parasites, sap-squirting cicadas, latex-stealing bees, hornbill birds who seal themselves into the tree’s trunk, tiny, a spiny pink mantis, a giraffe with impressively nimble tongue and monkeys munching fruit, licking sweet sap, catching inebriated butterflies and feeding the fish in the river below.
And that’s not even all of it!

This film had me captivated and awed all the way through. It made me reel in wonder at the phenomenal variety and ingenuity of life, and how complex and amazing the intertwining of different species can be.

If you happen to see it listed, I highly recommend watching!
It is also available on dvd.
A short, introductory clip can be seen here.
More info, including some videos, photographs and related articles can be found here.

Luna

2009-08-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

From my butterfly and moth-inspired series "Lepidoptera", this piece combines the mysterious glow of the moon and the delicately-hued luna moth named after it.
Prints (matted and framed, if you wish) now exclusively available here.

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

SkinGraft...Just...Wow...

2009-08-27T11:01:00.001-07:00

"SKINGRAFT is Jonny Cota, Cassidy Haley and Katie Kay. Together the three have been making waves through the underground fashion world of Los Angeles with their indulgence in distressed leathers and furs, painted and antiqued canvases, and masochistic metal detailing and corsetry. From elongated Victorian necks and ruched sleeves to punk-inspired metal work and hand-tarnished bucklings, SKINGRAFT has created an entire world within their designs that is timeless yet excitingly inventive."

Gorgeous clothing beautifully photographed...does it get any better than this?
Well, I suppose if I could afford them, it would be better! Alas! These guys are a bit out of my league, price-wise, but I can still drool over them and be inspired for free!
They do have a ready-to-wear selection available at these retail locations, as well as working their haute couture magic.

*Sigh!* So fantastic and enchanting! I'm delighted with their growing recognition and success!

See more lush, deliriously eye-popping delights here:
http://skingraftdesigns.com/

Fabulous Hats by Ms. Purdy!

2009-08-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

I have a thing for hats - funky knit hats in winter, broad-brimmed sunhats in summer, pirate hats and cowboy hats and cute little flapper-style velvet hats...and most fun of all, fancy hats with lots of feathers and flowers and ribbons and bows and fabulous frippery!

Well, Ms. Purdy knows what I like! This millinery maven has been making hats for many years, and it's her passion. She sells to small hat shops and through her website, ebay and Etsy shop, and specializes in all sorts of historical costume and custom designs - Victorian, Edwardian,Civil War, Kentucky Derby, Pirate, Carnival, Steampunk, Gothic Lolita, and more.
She's got hats for church, for tea, for weddings, for riding, for touring, for going to the races, for just looking fabulous!
Check out her Gallery for photos of her happy customers decked out in fantastic finery at various costume events.
She has a huge selection of styles - from wide brimmed extravaganzas adorned with lush explosions of feathers, to her slightly more subdued and elegantly embellished riding hats, to flirty mini top hats, feminine derbies wrapped in silk, feathery fascinators, and beautiful bonnets.
Her hats are expertly adorned with fantastic compositions of colorful, tantalizing trimmings: ribbons and roses and beads and bustles and blossoms and lace and feathers and jewels and veils and butterflies...oh my!And her prices are very reasonable - I've seen hats like these going for twice what Ms. Purdy charges, and with all the luxurious materials and talented expertise put into these one-of-a-kind masterpieces, I think they are worth every penny!

She also carries a selection of accessories such as gloves, fans, hatpins, parasols and nifty Venetian Lace Cuffs, as well as hat stands and hat boxes to keep your delicate headpieces safe.

I'm particularly enchanted with this little number. Too bad my birthday just passed! :(
But I just happened to discover that today is Ms. Purdy's birthday! Happy Birthday, Ms. Purdy! Keep up the great work!

Ms. Purdy's Treasures can be found at:
http://www.mspurdy.com/index.html
Ebay store:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Ms-Purdys-Treasures__W0QQ_armrsZ1
Etsy shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6084571

UPDATE: I just received a letter from Ms. Purdy and she informed me that the hat at the top of this post is not her creation, but was made by Elsie Massey, another marvelous hatmaker and colleague. Please see this post to see more of Elsie's work.

Featured Item: Angelique Tanks and Tees

2009-08-24T12:38:00.001-07:00

ON SALE for one week only, get sultry, exotic angel Angelique on a velvety gray spaghetti-strap tank top, or rich chocolate brown T-shirt.
The tanks are made from form-fitting 100% Baby Rib cotton, and will shrink a bit in the dryer, so it's a good idea to order a size larger than you wear.

Tees also feature the winged Cristina's Angels logo across the back and are 6.1-ounce, 100% cotton with a seamless double-needle top-stitched collar, taped neck and shoulders and double-needle sleeve and hem. Sizes range from Small to 3X.

You can't find these designs anywhere else in the world!
Until the end of August, save $2.00 off regular price on these two items.

This design is also available on long-sleeved shirts, supercute hoodies, sporty raglan tops and baseball jerseys. Other design configurations also available.

Organic Armor

2009-08-18T15:47:00.000-07:00

I discovered Organic Armor a couple of years ago at Lightning in a Bottle and was blown away by their beautiful products.
Artist Paul Hershey (below, with wife and business partner Jennifer) creates fantastic handmade costumes, accessories and props for: "tribal fairy punks, video game priestesses, alien viking warriors and circus divas, among other things".
These fantastic designs look like ancient metal, leather or bone, but are, in fact, a soft and flexible reinforced rubber that's lightweight, comfortable and durable. Not terribly useful for actual battle, but perfect for masquerades, costume events, theater and performers of all kinds.

Their most popular items are their headpieces - ornate, crowns, horns, helmets, hats and masks all beautifully sculpted and gleaming with various metallic finishes and antique patinas. They also have a selection of bustier sets and lovely necklaces, arm and wrist jewelry.
I'm especially enamored of their funky, fabulous top hats. I'm picturing one with angel wings and peacock feathers!
If you need to accessorize your warrior, princess, fairy, steampunk, etc. costume - be sure to check out Organic Armor!
They are happy to take on custom commissions. They'll even make armor for your pet!

Check them out at:
http://www.organicarmor.com/
Become a Fan on Facebook for updates.

Burlesque from Berlin

2009-08-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

I just came across this delightful image by Berlin artist Steffi Schütze. Love the peacock colors and her graceful use of line and shape.
More of her work can be seen on her DeviantArt gallery:
http://missmatzenbatzen.deviantart.com/
and on her illustration website:
http://www.nauckundschuetze.de/

Steampunk Sketchin'

2009-08-11T14:37:00.001-07:00

Been looking at a lot of inspirational steampunk stuff lately. Here are some costume/character design sketches I did just for fun.

La Llorona

2009-08-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

I’ve been working on some freelance projects lately, and one of my favorite albums to work to is the soundtrack from the movie Frida. One particular song has been haunting me…in the best way - a song called “La Llorona”, performed on the soundtrack by Chevala Vargas.

Listen as you continue reading – you can find the song here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gQ31m4Yt0s&feature=related

“Llorona” is pronounced: “Yorona” (the double “L” in Spanish denotes a “y” sound), and in Spanish, it means “weeping woman”.

La Llorona is a figure from South American folklore; a beautiful woman who drowns her own children, and upon realizing what she has done, kills herself (or wastes away out of grief) to become a mournful spirit.

There are many versions of this tale. In some, the woman (often named Maria) is vain and promiscuous and kills her children because they interfere with her wonton ways.
In others, the childrens' father neglects Maria, but dotes on the children and she slays them out of jealousy.
In another version, she falls in desperate love with a man who will not accept her children and she kills them in a desperate bid to win his love.
But in every version, after drowning her offspring, she realizes the horrible act she has committed and goes mad with grief and regret.

La Llorona is a cautionary tale; warning of tragic results should a woman deny her primary role as mother, betraying her first loyalty to her children for the love of a man.

The weeping spirit also serves as a boogeyman to frighten children and keep them safe.
The ghost, wasted but still beautiful, with long black hair and a white gown, walks along rivers or near bodies of water, crying: “My children! My children! Where are my children…?”
Naughty children who are out after dark, near the water unsupervised are likely to be snatched away by the mad, desperate spirit.

The song “La Llorna” is one of Latin America’s most popular folk songs, and many artists have recorded versions of it, including American folk singer Joan Baez.

Chevala Vargas’ rendition (recorded when she was 85) is particularly haunting. Her voice has a rough and edgy quality that beautifully expresses the mournful, tragic atmosphere of the story.

Ms. Vargas is quite a character herself.
Born in Costa Rica, she suffered from blindness and polio as a child, afflictions which she claims were healed by shamans.
At the age of 14, she ran away to Mexico to seek her fortune, and became quite successful in the 1950’s and 60’s, touring Mexico, the U.S. France and Spain.
She was, in fact, a contemporary and friend of Frida Kahlo, and they seem to have shared a penchant for non-conformist behavior. It is said that in her youth, Chevala dressed as a man, smoked cigars, drank heavily, carried a gun and seduced women in her audience with the romantic ranchero songs intended to be sung by men.
At the age of 81, she openly admitted to being a lesbian, and has become a beloved icon to Latina lesbians.

La Llorna lyrics (Spanish):

Todos me dicen el Negro, Llorona
Negro, pero cariñoso
Yo soy como el chile verde, Llorona
Picante, pero sabroso

Ay de mí, Llorona, Llorona
Llorona, llévame al río
Tápame con tu rebozo, Llorona
Porque me muero de frió

Si porque te quiero quieres, Llorona
Quieres que te quiera más
Si ya te he dado la vida, Llorona
¿Qué mas quieres?
¿Quieres más?

English:

They all call me the black one, Weeping Woman
Black, but loving
I’m like the green chili, Weeping Woman
Biting, but delicious

Woe poor me, Weeping Woman, Weeping Woman
Weeping Woman, take me to the river
Cover me with your shawl, Weeping Woman
Cause I’m dying of cold

If because I love you, you want me, Weeping Woman
You want me to love you more
But if I’ve even given you my life, Weeping Woman
What else do you want?
You want more?

Now, go back and watch the YouTube video of the song, and if you haven't seen Frida, rent it!

Sources and more info:
artwork by Diana Bryer
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/HC-WeepingWoman1.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4853301
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Llorona
http://www.afterellen.com/People/2005/1/chavelavargas.html

Friday Night Cocktail

2009-08-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

In our little corner of Southern California, the weather has been divine the last couple of days. Sunny, with a mild breeze, big white puffy clouds coasting across the sky...perfect for sitting out on the patio with a good book and a glass of sangria.

Despite it's morbid name (sangria means "bloody" in Italian), this is a delightfully refreshing and genteel beverage. Originating in Spain, it is said that the U.S. got its first taste of this wine punch at the 1964 World's Fair in New York, where the Spanish World pavilion served it to thirsty visitors.

While recipes and methods vary widely, the very basics of sangria are wine and fruit juice. Sliced fresh fruit is a common (and wonderful) addition. Some people add a sweetener, such as honey or simple sugar syrup. Other optional ingredients are brandy to give it an extra kick, and carbonated water or soda to add some sparkle. Some recipes also call for spices such as cinnimon or nutmeg.

My method is pretty loose and off-the-cuff. At the grocery store, I look for fresh seasonal fruit and grab whatever tickles my fancy. Citrus is always a good choice (but don't overdo it on the lemons), as are stonefruits such as peaches and nectarines. Try it with mango or kiwi, apples, melon, grapes, berries...the possibilities are nearly endless!
Next, I get a bottle of red wine - I like something smooth and not too tanniny, like a mellow Merlot.
A carton of orange juice (or other fruit juice) and some citrus/grapefruit Fresca and we're good to go.

Slice up your fruit and put it in a big pitcher (or punch bowl). Add the wine, some of the juice and some Fresca to fill. The proportions of these ingredients is up to you...experiment!
That's it!
Pour over ice to serve.

If you're not in a hurry, allow the fruit, wine and juice flavors to meld in the fridge and add the carbonated ingredient just before serving.

I don't generally add sweetener or brandy, but by all means, give it a shot (pun possibly intended) if you want something a bit stronger.

Sangria can also be made with white wine, a variation called sangria blanca.

Sangria is the perfect, refreshing drink for a warm afternoon. And with all those fruits and juices, it's good for you, too! It's also such a flexible and forgiving recipe that you can relax and play with it and you'll always end up with something delicious.

Salud!

Lovechild Boudoir

2009-08-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

I’ve just discovered this delightful couture studio, based out of Yorkshire, UK.
“The Lovechild Boudoir creates fabulous tulle showgirl bustles, opulent silk & taffeta shrugs, gothic corset jackets, steampunk pinstripe breeches & carnivale striped bustle skirts fit for a louche Victorian minx!”

They offer gorgeous designs, quite reasonably priced, especially for such unique, handmade items.
I love their shrug tops – such a simple idea, elegantly devised to stunning effect!

Their bustle skirts are also adorable – bountiful froths of ruffles and lace to enhance your derriere. They have a lovely selection of colors, fabrics and unique designs and details. Also, don’t miss their “Call of Cthulhu Fishtail Skirt” – very dramatic!

But my favorite item of all has to be the “Lady Apprentice Steampunk Corset Breeches”. Bloomers, bustle and corset-lacing all in one elegant pair of pants! Stylish and practical, for those Lady Adventurers on the go!

Lovechild Boudoir items are available at their website, on Etsy, and on Ebay.

>

http://lovechildboudoir.bigcartel.com/featured

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=59578

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Lovechild-Boudoir

New Design: "Monarch" Up for Scoring at Threadless

2009-08-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

Please help me get my design printed by going to Threadless (see link below) and scoring it. It's free and easy!

http://threadless.com/submission/223979/Monarch

The highest score you can get/give is $5, which means you give it a score of 5 and check the "I'd buy it" box.
Posting a positive comment on the page also helps!

If my design is chosen to be printed, Threadless will pay me $2,000 for it! Yay!

Please take a moment to score my design, and tell your friends - every little bit of support helps!

Thanks!

GCI Kama Sutra Award-Winning Monte Cristo with Berry Merlot Sauce

2009-08-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

A couple of years before we met, my husband won 1st place in the Kama Sutra category at the Grilled Cheese Invitational with his “Monte Cheesemo” sandwich.
His “1st Place Kama Sutra” trophy was actually the catalyst for our first flirtatious conversation. When I asked about it, he somewhat reluctantly informed me that it didn’t actually have anything to do with the Kama Sutra – that was just the name of the GCI’s “anything goes” category, and his entry had been a deep-fried ham, turkey and cheese Monte Cristo with a blackberry merlot sauce.
It may not have been as sexual as the trophy had seemed to imply, but was it sexy? Oh, yes.
The fact that this man had the desire, skills and creativity to put this recipe together and execute it flawlessly in the heat of fierce competition was no small factor in my falling in love with, and a year later, marrying him.

Ever since learning of his Champion recipe, I’ve asked him to make it for me, since I missed the original competition. He was always willing, but somehow never got around to it until I requested it for my birthday this year.
So this afternoon my husband made a terrific mess of our kitchen, and I finally got to taste his magnificent masterpiece.
The verdict?: Absolutely delicious in the most decadent way!
The saltiness of the ham and turkey was beautifully balanced with the sweetness of the berry merlot sauce. The creaminess of the cheese, the bite of the meats, the fluffy potato bread and the perfectly crisped batter were a divine textural symphony.
This is not a meal you want to eat everyday (well, you may want to, but you probably shouldn’t!), but for a special birthday treat on a warm summer afternoon, it was heavenly!

He even let me document the process, and has given me permission to share his recipe with you.

The Monte Cheesemo
(Ham, Turkey and Cheese Monte Cristo with Berry Merlot Sauce)

Ingredients:
Black Forest ham
Mesquite smoked turkey breast
Potato bread
Ementaller Swiss cheese
Jack cheese
Bisquick
Milk
1 egg
Frozen (or fresh!) blackberries
Merlot wine (the fruitier the better)
Powdered sugar

Method:

Sauce:
In a small saucepan, combine about 8 oz. frozen blackberries, about ½ cup merlot and ½ cup sugar.
Cook over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
“Reduce until yummy”.
Let sauce cool.
This makes enough sauce for about 3 sandwiches. If you’re not making that many, save the extra sauce, chill it and serve it over ice cream for a dreamy dessert!

Sandwiches:
Mix about 1 cup Bisquick with 1 egg and enough milk to make a thin, tempura-like batter (this should make enough for 3 sandwiches).
Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large frying pan.
Layer ham, turkey and cheeses between two slices of potato bread.
Dip sandwiches in batter and carefully put into oil. Fry until crisp and golden brown, turning once.
Drain briefly on paper towels, cut each sandwich in half and spoon sauce over.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar, serve and enjoy!

If you are unfamiliar with the Grilled Cheese Invitational, I implore you to visit their website and take a stroll around – it is quite entertaining (the Rules are especially amusing), and you may find a regional event in your area to check out!
http://grilledcheeseinvitational.com/

Friday Night Cocktail

2009-07-31T17:45:00.000-07:00

My goodness, is it Friday already? This week has flown by!

Since this is my "Birthday Party Weekend", I'm going to offer one of my favorite drinks in the world - nigori sake.

Most people probably know sake as a clear rice wine served hot, which tends to ease a bit of of its sharp flavor. In truth, the higher quality sakes are served chilled, including nigori - an unfiltered variety.
"Nigori" translates roughly as "cloudy". The bottle must be shaken before serving to properly blend the sediments at the bottom, resulting in a milky, finely grainy liquid that has a smooth flavor and subtly sweet flavor you won't find in other in other sakes.
It is so easy to drink, and paired with good sushi, it's heavenly. Seriously, there is a special kind of nirvana that can be reached only by eating great sushi and drinking nigori sake in good company.
A wonderful way to keep your nigori cold is to use a clever little bottle, like the one pictured above, which has a little pocket in the center that you fill with ice.
Another nice touch is to drink it from masu, traditional box-shaped cups made of cedar. These unique drinking vessels have been used for celebrating in Japan for centuries, and impart a delicate cedar aroma and flavor to the sake that is delightful and invigorating.

Kampai!

The Art of Can Tabistry

2009-07-30T13:07:00.000-07:00

“Tabistry - [tab - us - stree] noun, plural -tries, verb, -tried, -try·ing.

the art of creating versatile textile out of ordinary pop (soda)/bear/soup/fruit/other can pull tab woven together with fabric, ribbon, cord, wire, jump rings or any other material.
a fabric consisting of can tabs which are woven together by hand to produce a design, often wearable, used for clothing, wall hangings, furniture coverings, etc.
to furnish, cover, or adorn with pop tabs.”

So Tiffany defines her unique art form, but you really need to see to believe the extraordinary clothing and accessories she artfully weaves from such humble materials!
Truly a case of Trash to Treasure, and a wonderful way to creatively recycle all those beer or soda pop tabs most of us generate every day.
The result of her innovative technique evokes chain mail, mermaid scales or jewel-encrusted fabric that gleams and flexes and shimmers.
She includes the cost breakdown for some of her projects and they are astonishing. Imagine making an entire Ren Faire costume for $25!

Inspired? Want to try your hand at it? Tiffany offers an in-depth tutorial to get you started here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28080979

The Art of Can Tabistry Blog:
http://tabistry.blogspot.com/

Hilda

2009-07-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

In the late 50’s, pinup artist Duane Bryers created Hilda.

Unlike the standard sleek, sophisticated sylphs common to pinup art, Hilda was a pleasantly plump country girl – unabashedly silly, perhaps a bit clumsy, and utterly charming.

Whether doing household chores or enjoying the pleasures of the coutryside, Hilda seems to posses a carefree joie de vivre that’s completely adorable and extraordinarily sexy.

You can sense the affection as well as the attraction the artist feels for the character…there is a loving, fondness in each composition that’s quite wonderful.

You can explore some of Hilda’s delightful adventures here:

http://members.tripod.com/hilda_art-ivil/hilda.html

and here:

http://www.artofteasing.com/pages/pinup_hilda/duane_bryers.html

Friday Night Cocktail: Frisky Angel

2009-07-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

On time this time!
Tonight I'd like to share with you an original recipe - our House Cocktail, if you will...the Frisky Angel.
It began as a"This is all we have on hand" experiment and was so tasty that it has become our regular Adult Beverage. It's easy, relatively inexpensive, refreshing and low in calories (as cocktails go, anyway - you're basically only getting the calories from the alcohol, as the mixer only has, like, 2 calories!).

Ingredients:
(makes 2)

Vodka
Black Cherry Fresca
Peach Citrus Fresca

Method:
Half-fill 2 pint glasses (or in our case, plastic tumblers because I am notorious for breaking glasses) with ice
Pour in 2 oz. or so of vodka into each
Fill the rest of each glass with half Black Cherry Fresca, and half Peach Citrus Fresca
Stir and enjoy!

You can also use a single flavor, but we like the mix of the Peach and Cherry. I'm not fond of the Original Citrus (grapefruit) flavor.
If you want to get fancy, garnish with a wedge of lime or lemon, or a cherry.
You could also use flavored vodkas...we've tried it with vanilla vodka before and it was a bit sweet for my taste, but perhaps it could be balanced with a squeeze of lime?

I guess I'll just have to test that theory sometime!

Enjoy your weekend!

Please Score My Design!

2009-07-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

My first submission to Threadless.com has just been accepted!
Check it out!:

http://www.threadless.com/submission/222485/Yoga_Pretzle

If my design is printed, Threadless will pay me $2,000 for it!
I could sure use the cash right now, so please help me get my design printed by going to Threadless (see link above) and scoring it.

The best score is $5: that means you give it a score of "5" and mark the "I'd buy it" checkbox. Comments are also helpful - if they are positive, anyway!

This is an awesome way to support your favorite (I AM your favorite, right??) artist without spending a dime!

Any support you can offer would be VERY MUCH appreciated!
:)

A Note About Watermarks

2009-07-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

FYI: the watermarks (my signature + copyright symbol overlaying the image) and website URL are only placed on images displayed on the web.
These are devices to help prevent the unauthorized use of my artwork.
It is impossible to keep people from "stealing" images off the web - adding these (somewhat intrusive, I realize) elements is an effort to at least make sure I am identified as the artist and let people know where to go to find more if they like the art.
It can kind of function as a form of advertising, even if people are spreading the imagery around without permission.
In this day of wildfire internet memes, one can only hope that one’s artwork causes a web sensation and ends up proliferating through MySpace like a viral epidemic!
As long as my name and URL are on there, such “promotion” could possibly lead to greater recognition and hopefully, sales!

Of course, there are some people who think nothing of removing any identifying info from art they come across. It is true that the watermarks often obscure part of the image and this can be annoying. Artists have been forced to place the watermarks over integral parts of their images because if they don’t, the info can be easily cropped off, and unfortunately, often is.
There are even those who go to great lengths to excise the watermarks from art they find, removing signatures, copyright notices and URLs from the work (even if it requires extensive Photoshopping to remove overlapping elements) before posting them on their own sites/profiles/pages.
I consider this extraordinarily disrespectful (not to mention illegal).
If you like the work enough to post it on your MySpace page (or whatever), why would you do the artist such a petty disservice?

Whenever I share someone else’s artwork, I make every effort to discover who the artist is and include that information, as well as any relevant links to more of their work.
Not only should we all give credit where it’s rightfully due, we should try to encourage folks to find out more, if their interest is aroused.
And if you want to see the artwork in its full glory, unblemished by such unsightly intrusions, you should pay for it. Artists deserve compensation for their work, just like in any other profession.
Support the artists you dig! Spread the word! We can all use all the help we can get!

*(Steps down off soapbox and clears throat)*

The watermarks and URLs do not appear on my fine art prints, cards or apparel (though there is a tiny, unobtrusive copyright notice at the bottom of the apparel designs).

If you want to share my artwork with others, by all means point them to my website and/or post an image with my watermark and URL.

I even offer free avatar images for use in profiles and sigs, etc.:
http://www.cristinasangels.com/FreeAvatarsPage.htm
These images do not include any identifying info, but I ask that you give me credit and/or put a link to CristinasAngels.com somewhere in your sig or profile, if possible.

On behalf of all my fellow artists, thanks for listening!
:)

"Emma" Art Prints & Cards Now Available

2009-07-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

My original "Emma" design featured a rounded "arched doorway" shape that looks really cool on the apparel (see preview image in previous post), but on a matted and framed print would have left blank white triangles in the upper corners, so I altered the design slightly for the prints and cards.
Also, my apparel designs generally include a "Cristina's Angels" logo, while the art prints and cards to not.

I invite you to check out the cool FineArtAmerica Greeting Card interface, which allows you to customize your cards with a personal message printed inside, as well as choose a background color and adjust the size and orientation of the image:
http://fineartamerica.com/showgreetingcard.php?id=489735
These features are available for all of my art print images.

More info:
About FAA Greeting Cards:

FAA greeting cards are 5" x 7" in size and are produced on digital offset printers using 110 lb. paper stock.

Each card is coated with a UV protectant on the outside surface which produces a semi-gloss finish.

The inside of each card has a matte white finish and can be customized with a text message up to 500 characters in length.

The artist's name and the name of the image is printed on the back of each card along with the FAA logo.

Cards can be ordered in a horizontal or vertical configuration. Cards can be ordered with a white background or black background.

All greeting card orders ship within 48 hours!

Each card comes with a white envelope for mailing and gift giving.

Prices start at $4.95 for a single card. This is as low as I can price them and make any money (and while I do create my art because I am driven to and enjoy it, a gal has to make a living!). At first I thought this may be a bit prohibitively high, but a recent visit to my local greeting card store set me straight. Most of the cards I found were in this price range, or more, and those were mass-produced and non-customizable.
Also, if you buy the cards in packs of 10 or 25, the price-per-card goes down dramatically.
A 10-pack is $24.50 - that's $2.45 per card - less than half the individual card price!
A 25-pack is $50.00 - that's brings it down to $2.00 per card.

If you think you have no need for this many cards, think about how many people you know who would appreciate the artwork. Giving someone a unique card with cool artwork and a little "thanks for being my friend" note is a great way to make the world a better place - certainly worth $2.00, especially when it's supporting the artist!

Also - I'm working on holiday cards that would serve well as invitations and other special occasion designs, so stay tuned!

New Work: Emma

2009-07-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

Meet Emma, a vision in shades of blue who is positively bustling with steampunky goodness! Elaborate costumes like this take awhile, with all the little details, but it's so much fun to design the clothing! Any seamstresses (seamsters?) out there who want to team up with me to design steampunk haute couture?
Apparel available now, prints and cards forthcoming.

Tuesday Afternoon Cocktail (Kind Of)

2009-07-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

*Sigh*

Apologies for the extreme lateness of this Friday Night Cocktail.

I’m afraid I’ve been busybusy with other business, and I woefully neglected my weekly task. I'm very naughty, I know! Alas!

Well, better late than never, right?

So…how about something to go with lunch?

If you’re anywhere near Los Angeles, you’ll know that we’re smack in the middle of a heat wave (I am eternally grateful to my husband for getting the AC working in our bedroom/office. I now get to work in a cool, dark cave instead of a sweaty dark cave. BIG improvement!).

Sometimes the best thing on a meltingly hot afternoon is a nice, ice-cold beer, such as Angel City Brewing Co.’s refreshing lager.

“A crisp golden lager not unlike some European imports but fresher tasting because its locally brewed and not pasteurized. Angel City Lager utilizes German malts and yeast and Czech Saaz hops, arguably the finest hops in the world, which gives Angel City Lager its crisp hoppy finish. Experience the way great lagers taste in Germany-right here in Southern California.”

Angel City is a microbrewery located in the middle of L.A. (City of Angels, of course!). They offer a growing range of award-winning beers; stouts, ales, lagers, a spicy hefeweizen, smooth dunkles and more.

My favorites are the Angel City Lager, and Angel City Ale, which I first tried several years ago at the Topanga Days festival in Topanga Canyon. That was a hot day, just like today, and those crisp, cold brews sure made the heat a lot more bearable!

So if you’re in the mood for a beer and spy an Angel City offering in the cooler or on the menu, I encourage you to give it a try!

Cristina's Angels Apparel Now Available

2009-07-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last couple of days busily putting my apparel shop together.
I'm very excited to announce that my Angels are now available on a wide selection of apparel - tank tops, t-shirts, baby tees, raglans, long-sleeved shirts, hoodies, and more!

Now, I've done this kind of thing before through CafePress, but ended up giving up on that venture because I was so disappointed in the print quality. They used decals that would only work on white or light-colored fabrics, cracked when stretched, got discolored and faded quickly in the wash.
I didn't want folks spending good money on my products only to feel like they got ripped off.

My new apparel shop, powered by DecoNetwork, uses a new printing technology called Direct To Garment (DTG) Digital Printing, which is a method of applying textile water-based inks to a fabric using a digital printer. The image is cured onto the garment usually with a heat press. The process is quick and, unlike silkscreen printing, it is not expensive to output small quantities or personalized designs.

The result is of MUCH higher quality than CafePress, they have an awesome range of colors and I don't feel like I'm offering inferior products.

Another groovy thing about this print-on-demand service is that you can customize your items.
I've put together a selection of styles and colors that I feel go well with the various designs, but you can choose from any of the colors available for each garment.

One thing I'm not satisfied with is thier small, low-rez design preview images. But I've remedied that problem by including links in the item descriptions to high-rez images of the designs so you can see what the artwork really looks like.

The shop is organized by design, so you can see all of the items that feature each piece of artwork. Or you can view all of the items and wander through the entire selection.

I'm still building up my collection, so not all of the Angels I've posted and made available as prints are up yet. I'll continue plugging away at that.
If there's an Angel you want on a shirt that you don't see in the shop, just let me know and I'll make sure to make it available.

Please step into my little boutique for a visit and pick up a little something for yourself or a freind. Be one of the first to get these exclusive Cristina's Angels goods, and support the arts (and artist!) in the process!

http://cristinasangels.deco-apparel.com/shop

(And for future reference, you can find a link to the shop in the sidebar to the right. There's also a link from www.CristinasAngels.com.)

Random Mind-Blowing Facts!

2009-07-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

Did you know that anteaters have no teeth?
Their jaws are basically tubes that their tongues (which can be two feet long!) slither through. They "chew" their food with a part of their stomach that grinds stuff up, much like the gizzards of birds.
Isn't that weird and cool?
Thanks, Bill Nye the Science Guy, for mentioning these fascinating facts (I've kind of always had a crush on Bill)!

www.CristinasAngels.com is LIVE!

2009-07-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

My Angels now have their own domain name and showcase website!
At www.CristinasAngels.com, you can check out my portfolio, get FREE Angels avatars, order custom Angels artwork, buy prints and cards, and more!
You can even get there if you misspell my name with an "h" - www.cHristinasangels.com will redirect you to where you're supposed to be. I've got it covered!
Please stop by for a visit and let me know what you think!

"Our Lady of Perpetual Bliss"

2009-07-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

Playing with the notion of blending the “sacred” and the “profane”. A hedonistic saint of love, lust, and making merry. Definatly not a virgin. :)

Fine digital prints available, starting at only $22!

Trader Joe’s Tartar Sauce

2009-07-12T12:13:00.000-07:00

Tartar sauce has never been something I get terribly excited about, or have even paid much attention to. It’s generally an unremarkable mayonnaise-based condiment served with fried fish. Nothing to write home about.
Until I tasted Trader Joe’s Tartar Sauce with dill and jalapeño.
The dill, an herb that’s complimentary to most seafood, adds a lovely flavorful note, but it’s the spicy bite of the jalapeño peppers that really makes this sauce something special.
I like it so much that I’ve been coming up with other ways to use this sauce.
It goes with both the fish and the chips (the poor catchup has been usurped, I’m afraid). It’s great mixed with canned tuna or even slathered on a burger. I bet it would make killer deviled eggs. There's a plethora of culinary potential in this little jar.
I urge you to give it a taste, even if you're not all that into tartar sauce.

In the meantime, here’s an interesting article on the origin of the name “tartar sauce” from The Straight Dope.
And now I am left to ponder the possible significance of my typo-ing “Tartar” as “Fartar”. Perhaps it's best not to think too much about it.

Friday Night Cocktail

2009-07-10T17:35:00.000-07:00

Jeesh, is it Friday already?
Why do I feel like I want another weekday? How weird is that?
I must be delirious.
Clearly, I need a drink!

How about an Angel's Delight?
Pink and creamy, like a dreamy, alcoholic dessert! Perfect!

Angel's Delight

Ingredients:
1 oz cream
3/4 oz triple sec
3/4 oz gin
2-3 dashes grenadine
Strawberry for garnish

Method: Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Place strawberry on rim of glass for garnish.

More info here.

New Work: "Dark Angel"

2009-07-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

My husband requested a "dark angel", so here she is! Elvira meets Bettie page meets the Raven. Or something like that.
"Dark Angel" by Cristina McAllister

New Work: "Tess"

2009-07-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

The last couple of Angels I've done have been pretty elaborate. I wanted to do something simpler this time, with sleek shapes and solid colors.
"Tess" by Cristina McAllister

Pin-Up Men

2009-07-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

This one's for the ladies! Artist A.V. Phibes believes in gender equality when it comes to sexy pin-up art!
More dangerously hansom devils, femmes fatales and more await in her online portfolio.

Lady Claire

2009-07-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

A Lady pirate to swash your buckles!
(The colors seem to display way oversaturated on the FineArtAmerica site. For more accurate color check out my DeviantArt gallery.)
"Claire" by Cristina McAllister

"Apple" by Gueuzav

2009-07-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

I found this artist while wandering about Deviantart.com.
I don't know much about him, as his profile and blog are mostly in French, but his artwork is delightful!
This piece, in particular, struck my fancy -I love the colors, the unusual POV/perspective, the costume (how cute is the ladybug garter???), the framing circular design element of the butterfly's wings...just beautifully done and quite charming.
Magnifique, Monsieur Gueuzav!

Queen of Spades

2009-07-07T00:56:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled upon this striking image by Russian photographer and designer team Aleksey & Marina. I do love when the internets yield unexpected gems like this!
Thier website is a little tricky to navigate (too Flash-y for my tastes), but if you're willing to chase around the slippery menu items and wait while the tiny little thumbnails load, there are some lovely images. I especially like the "calendar" themed ones at the bottom of the "imaging 2" gallery.

Introducing: Miss Penelope

2009-07-06T18:38:00.001-07:00

I had a lot of fun with Miss Penelope's elaborate costume.
"Miss Penelope" by Cristina McAllister

Racy Redhead

2009-07-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

"Bettina" by Cristina McAllister

Saturday Afternoon Cocktail

2009-07-04T13:10:00.000-07:00

This Friday Night Cocktail is a bit late, I'm afraid, but just in time for your Independence Day festivities. Sweet and fruity, with an abundance of liberating spirits, including rum, rum, rum, and oh...did I mention rum?

Angel's Fall

Ingredients 1 1/2 oz. Amaretto
1 1/2 oz. Grenadine
1 splash(es) Cranberry Juice
1 splash(es) Grapefruit Juice
1 splash(es) Pineapple Juice
3/4 oz. Vodka
3/4 oz. Dry Gin
1/4 oz. 151 Proof Rum
1/4 oz. Dark Rum
1/4 oz. Light Rum
1/4 oz. Myer's Rum

Instructions: Build in a collins glass with ice or blend with ice to make a frozen drink.

Textual Perversion

2009-07-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

I’m currently working on the first of a series of alcohol-themed angels, inspired by the advertising designs by such art nouveau luminaries as Alphonse Mucha (one of my favorite influences).
The concept is to do one for each basic type of liquor: vodka, rum, tequila, etc., with the angels wearing costumes inspired by the culture that originated that drink (or is popularly associated with it).
My original idea was to have the name of the drink integrated into the background design, but I’ve changed my mind. Instead of an obvious “label”, I’ll be using the equivalent of “cheers” in the relevant language.

So, I’m starting with vodka, and was doing my research yesterday.
The most common Russian drinking toast is na zdorovyeh, “to our health”, and I think it looks really cool in Cyrillic. Bonus!
But when I copied the Cyrillic text from the webpage and pasted it into my Illustrator file, what showed up was: “?? ????????!”, which actually made me laugh out loud. I could almost hear my computer saying: “WTF???”.
I pondered finding and installing a Cyrillic font and did a bit of looking into that option. I discovered that there are apparently several standard Windows fonts that are capable of displaying Cyrillic characters.
I tried pasting the same copied text into a Word document...
That worked fine- it came through in Cyrillic, using the Times New Roman font.
What was weird was that it wouldn’t work in Illustrator – even when I was using the same font. Even when I cut the text from Word and pasted it into Illustrator. More ?????!s.
For whatever reason, Illustrator refuses to speak Russian.

I could have just used the Word file (or even the website) for reference and just flipped back and forth between that and my Illustrator file, but that’s kind of a pain.
In the end I just pumped the font size up to 150 pts. in Word and screen captured it, then pasted that pixel-based image into my Illustrator file.
Font issues bypassed...Mission accomplished!

На здоровье!

On a semi-related note...
While researching alcohol-themed images, I came across this gem, by Source Creative, which amused me. :)

Apparently t-shirts with this design sold out within 5 days. Poor little green fairy.

From my Art Archives

2009-07-01T15:00:00.001-07:00

An older piece of mine, but still a classic, I think!

Who Knew...

2009-07-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

...there was so much to learn about stockings?

In fact, The Sophisticate's Diary has a plethora of educational material for your edification.
For instance; how to properly stock a liquor cabinet, tips on designing an elegant mustache, and how to create those silky 40's-style wavy hairstyles with dozens of tiny pincurls.

Vintage wisdom for: "louche libertines, feral flaneurs, suave scoundrels, Godless gassers, femmes fatale, revolutionary rakes, high-heeled harlots, seditious strippers, fez-wearing freaks, gin-soaked Jezebels, urbane explorers, desperate dandies, ravishing Reds, Veronica Lake-a-likes, suburban savages, head-shrinking honeys, wild wahines, working class aristocrats, bourbon-swilling beatniks, glamorous guerillas; hedonistic housewives, proletarian pedants, inebriate insurgents. Cads, finks, rascals, hussies, strumpets, bounders, rotters, drunks, roues, bombshells, philanderers, rogues and blaggards. Ladies who know where their waists are, gents who know where their barber is.".

c53i4hy8w9

New Work: "Librarian"

2009-06-30T22:15:00.001-07:00

She looks rather stern, doesn't she?
"Librarian" by Cristina McAllister

I think I'm in Love...!

2009-06-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

...with Pendragon's fantastic boots!
A-MAZE-ing!!!

Dollhouse Bettie Lingerie & More!

2009-06-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

While surfing the Interwebs for costume inspiration for my Angels this weekend, I came across Dollhouse Bettie. Founder Michelle started her lingerie career selling vintage items on ebay. Three years later, she and her partner Eric opened their boutique in the historic Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco.

This is not your average Fredrick’s-of-Hollywood lingerie store – Dollhouse Bettie’s selection exudes the exquisite class, glamour and romance of the feminine charm of bygone eras. They offer a wide assortment of carefully selected, gorgeous items – from one-of-a-kind, authentic vintage pieces to unique, stylish items from contemporary designers, including their own in-house original designs.

And we’re not just talking bras and panties, but a wide range of retro underthings such as bloomers, peignoirs, pantaloons, tap pants, girdles, knickers, jumpers, corsets and even burlesque accessories like feathery pasties, headdresses and fans.

Their website is well designed and I especially love the beautiful photography of their items (worn by beautiful models who make those granny panties look GOOD!). Michelle is a talented camerawoman, and her photo slideshows offer a variety of views of each piece, lovingly showing off the luxurious fabrics, stylish cuts and delicate details.

Michelle also offers Boudoir photography taken at a nearby studio located in a “gorgeous turn of the century Edwardian flat with ethereal diffused natural light and period furnishings”.
Her blog, Adventures in Pantieland, is an intriguing glimpse into the world of vintage apparel and lingerie. This woman knows her lacy underthings!

My favorite items:

Dollhouse Bettie Original Apron Garter Belt

Letters of Marque Bloomer

And especially these adorable Chanteuse Ruched Silk Pinup Shorts!

Burlesque Sketch

2009-06-29T17:09:00.001-07:00

Somthing I'm working on.
Still pondering the color scheme...

Playlist feature added...

2009-06-29T15:18:00.000-07:00

I've been having fun finding "angel"-related songs to add. There are a lot to choose from! Quite an eclectic mix. Hope you enjoy exploring it. I've just been letting it play as I work at my computer.
:)
I know I sometimes find autoplay-enabled music on blogs and webpages to be annoying, which is why I added a note at the top of the page with instructions on how to turn the music off.

What do you think about the music/playlist feature?
Like it or Loath it? Please comment!

New Work: "Pretty in Pink"

2009-06-29T12:18:00.001-07:00

Having fun with old-fashioned feminine frippery!
"Pinky" by Cristina McAllister

New Work: "Heartbreakers"

2009-06-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

Double trouble inspired by Cirque Berzerk's groovy burlesque dancers.
(see show review, below)
"Heartbreakers" by Cristina McAllister

Review of Cirque Berzerk: Beneath

2009-06-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to describe Cirque Berzerk’s new show “Beneath”: artful, dark, lush, moody, decadent, striking, romantic, absurd, twisted, stylish, engaging…I could go on.
But one thing that really struck me about this unique theatrical experience was its pure sensuality.
This show is HOT! Dangerously hot - decadently, daringly, delightfully sexy!

From the delicately decaying Dames Deceased burlesque numbers to the balancing contortionist performing a “private dance” for an entranced patron… from the breathtakingly beautiful, homoerotic aerial straps performance to the trapeze couple attempting to seduce the heroine into a “threesome”, this show sizzles with erotic undertones, overtones and a rich, creamy middle of dramatic sexual tension!

One of the most riveting acts was the dance of a drowned sailor and his lover, who bereft, threw herself into the sea to join him in the afterlife. I’m not even sure what you would call this performance – a combination of contortion, balancing, dance, acrobatics, kama sutra…? These two beautiful people intimately entwining and wrapping around each other, caressing, lifting, holding, sliding…the passion palpable, the connection electric…!
I have to admit, I found myself getting a bit hot under the collar!
This show is a feast for the senses. It’s visually stunning – the ambiance, costumes, choreography are all fantastic. The music (original compositions performed by a live, in-character band) is a perfectly mad and marvelous accompaniment to the action. The smell of fog juice and kerosene, the taste of kettle corn and cocktails, the contrast of the cool evening air and the dense, murky atmosphere of the tent are all sublime.

Beyond the big top pageantry of the show itself, the Cirque Berzerk experience includes food booths and a picnic area adorned with arcane, fire-spurting contraptions. The over-21 area features a small marketplace of unique items, and a rockin’ bar with vintage pinball machines and live performances by delightful burlesque band Vaud & the Villians. The pre, intermission and post-show party is almost as much fun as the circus show.
In fact, I’m thinking about going down there next weekend, just to get a drink and see the band, which does not require a ticket.

In the meantime, I'm already working on new pieces inspired by Cirque Berzerk's delicious style!

If you are anywhere near the Los Angeles area, I highly recommend you check out this unique event. Shows run through the end of July, and their big top tent is set up at the Los Angeles State Historic Park in downtown L.A.
Info and tix here:
http://cirqueberzerk.com/
*Photo by Curious Josh - check out his fantastic Cirque Berzerk photo gallery!

INAPPROPRIATE!!!

2009-06-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

"Ad Disapproval Reason(s):

* The image of this ad is either irrelevant or inappropriate. Per sections 3 and 8 of Facebook's Advertising Guidelines, the image on your ad should be relevant and appropriate to the item being advertised. Images that are overly explicit, provocative, or that reveal too much skin are not allowed. Images that may either degrade or idealize any health condition or body type are also not allowed. In addition, unrealistic or graphic comparison images are not permitted. If you choose to submit this ad again, please use an appropriate image that adheres to all of Facebook's Advertising Guidelines."

Oops.
I wonder which part I violated???
The Offending Image (above).
I even put little stars on the boobies and everything and they still got mad!!!
:(

Friday Night Cocktail

2009-06-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

Well, it's almost Friday night, anyway!

Time for a creamy, dreamy cuppa somethin' sweet and sinful. Tonight's featured cocktail is the Angel's Wing - a heavenly, chocolaty concoction to float you away:

Angel's Wing:
Ingredients:
1/2 oz white Creme de Cacao
1/2 oz Brandy
1 tblsp Light cream

Instructions: Pour ingredients carefully, in order given, into a pousse-cafe glass so that they do not mix. Serve without mixing.

Yum!
Cheers!

New Work: "Purity"

2009-06-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

Just finished my latest Angel - "Purity". No bells and whistles for this serene siren...just pure, curvy delight!
"Purity" by Cristina McAllister

Nature is Sexy!

2009-06-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

Take a peek at this intriguing collection of naughty nature photographs at:
http://haha.nu/funny/nature-is-sexy/

Prints and Cards Now Available!

2009-06-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

Through the Magic of Print-On-Demand technology, I can now offer my work to you as museum-quality giclee prints and greeting cards from FineArtAmerica.com!
What is a giclee, you ask? How do I even pronounce it???
The French word "giclée" (pronounced “zhee-klay”) is a feminine noun that means a spray or a spurt of liquid. The word may have been derived from the French verb "gicler" meaning "to squirt".
Oh my!
We are, of course, speaking of inkjet printers (so get your mind out of the gutter!)!

In the art world, giclee is a term for fine art prints from digital sources printed with archival inkjet printers. This method produces high-quality reproductions of photographs, scanned artwork, or digital art and has become a gallery standard.
FineArtAmerica offers a selection of museum-quality fine art papers to choose from. You can even have the artwork printed on canvas!
I recommend the Premium Archival Matte or the Epson Premium Semi-Matte Photo Paper for printing my angels.
Another groovy feature of FineArtAmerica is that you have the option of ordering your artwork complete with frame, matting and glazing. Their interactive framing interface allows you to preview your prints in any of the thousands of frame and mats in their selection.
And their prices can’t be beat – generally 25% - 50% less that most retail frameshops can offer. AND there’s a 30 day no-questions-asked return policy!

The greeting cards are fully customizable – you can adjust the artwork size and orientation, card background color and even have your own special message printed inside!

It really is an awesome service and I’m excited to be working with them (as you can probably tell by the unreasonable number of exclamation points in this post!)!!!

So go check out!: Cristina's Angels Print Shop

I am in Danger...

2009-06-25T15:35:00.001-07:00

...of spending entirely too much time wandering happily around this site!:
http://www.colourlovers.com/

Pretty Women...Fascinating...

2009-06-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

Why are pretty girls so much fun to draw??? I suppose it's related to why they are so much fun to look at, which I suspect has something to do with primitive drives to propagate the species. Though that does not explain why I, and many other women, like to look at them as well.
In any case, I've been fascinated by sexy femmes for as long as I can remember.
Most little girls fall in love with pretty princesses.
I also fell in love with slutty princesses like Princess Daphne from the Dragon's Lair arcade game. I was enchanted by the transformation wrought on Leah by the captivating Gold Bikini. I was entranced by Frazetta and Vallejo's voluptuous barbarian warrior princesses and luxuriant maidens.
There’s a power in female sexuality – that allure, that temptation, that delightful delectation. It lures us, entrances us…we cannot look away.

Back to the Old Drawing Board

2009-06-24T23:04:00.001-07:00

So, it’s been a little while since I’ve done any art stuff. I kinda got burnt out and took some time off. Did some temp work. Looked for a “Real Job”.
Still looking.
The other night I talked to a friend who curated a show for me awhile back and she was eager to see more work from me. Explaining to her that I was taking some time off from art and hadn’t done anything new for months kind of made me feel like a shlub.
Luckily, that conversation percolated through my brain and got my creative gears turning again. The next day I dove headlong into a new piece and began to explore a new direction with my art. Actually, it’s more like refining and expanding something I’d been previously exploring and had kind of petered out on. A bunch of the influences and stylistic things I dig are coming together in a new way that I’m really liking.

Cristina's Art Blog is Born!

2009-06-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday!

Henceforth, this space shall be filled with the flirty, fluttering figments that emerge from my impetuous imagination; sketches, scribbles, finished works... maybe some step-by-step behind-the-scenes exposes! As Well As: news and updates and whatnot! Also: probable random ramblings and nifty and/or spiffy stuff I've discovered that I must share with you.
Stay tuned and Tell Your Friends!