Video Portfolio Collaboration

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!

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...

...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!!!

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!

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

Just in Time for Talk Like A Pirate Day

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!

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

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"

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

Custom Avatar Portraits - Only $65!

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

Featured Angel: Estelle

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.

Sneak Peek: New Angel in the works!

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!

Luna

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

Featured Item: Angelique Tanks and Tees

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.

Steampunk Sketchin'

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

New Design: "Monarch" Up for Scoring at Threadless

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!

Please Score My Design!

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

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

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

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.