Sandi Calistro shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Sandi , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Life is a daily balancing act lately, My 7 year old son has been coming to the tattoo shop with me and accompanied me to start a mural just yesterday, I feel lucky to show him what life as an artist looks like at such a young age. So in a nutshell, my two favorite things in life, motherhood and art
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve been making art in Denver in various forms, for 25 years now. I started as a Tattooer found painting a few years later and mural making not long after that . I don’t think any one of these creative endeavors would thrive without the others. I’ve had my own tattoo shop for a few years now and find so much inspiration with the people I work with. Curating a space where artists can grow and learn is everything and we’ve done that together.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My parents made me feel so loved and special. They were both blue collar- very hard workers and always scraping by to make ends meet. There was never a lack of love and encouragement despite our struggles. They not only encouraged my art but they truly believed I had something to share with the world. That’s all I needed to believe it too.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My truest art, was born of heartbreak early on. That’s when I realized sitting with the things that felt the hardest brought me closer to my true self. I’ve lost both parents, my biggest supporters, the people that loved me the most. That’s been an incredibly difficult pill to swallow but has brought me closer to my spiritual journey and my truth as an artist. To give a glimpse into all of it, the pain and the beauty
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I have become vegan in the last few years and it’s still a daily struggle to explain why to people but it’s something that influences more than what is on my plate. It’s part of my art and my feelings of respect to the life we share this planet with. I think the disconnect is so dangerous and I’d like my art to more directly reflect these feelings. I see our planet as a living breathing life form that we have repeatedly desecrated. If art can spark a conversation that’s a step in the right direction.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’d work less of course. Just to be with my loved ones as much as possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Sandicalistro.com
- Instagram: @sandicalistro
