Spotted Jaguar Painted Frame Drum

SPOTTED JAGUAR by © Karrel Christopher
-- Original Hand Painted Custom Designs --
Special commission - SOLD

~ COMPASSIONATE DRUMMING ~ The marriage of art, sound, rhythm...a gentle soothing tone or bold voice - it is your choice. *NON*leather Frame Drums painted with professional artist oils by vegan artist Karrel Christopher. Celebrating the elements of nature & honoring its special animal beings with spiritual joy.

I have two styles of quality REMO Frame Drums available for my custom designed and painted creations. The classic Buffalo Style Frame Drum 3 1/2'' deep...or... the newer Fiberskyn Frame Drum 2 1/2'' deep - in diameters of 14'', 16'' or 22''.

The surface of these drums are a dream to paint on - allowing for beautiful detail. You can drum to your hearts content knowing that no animal was butchered for these drum heads. *And happily the synthetic drum head is more tone stable in various humidity and temperatures than animal skin drums. Every drummer I have spoken with compliments their durability and rich tone quality! There are so many ways to create pleasing sounds on these frame drums. They may be played for musical enjoyment, mediation and ceremony with a soft mallet provided. Play with your hands without jewelry and avoiding sharp nails. More bell like tones by striking the rim and bottom edge with your fingers and palm. Call to great spirit with love, beauty and compassion and enjoy fine art in your sanctuary space. Please feel welcome to contact me about commissioning your one-of-a-kind drum.

FB Page ~ Hand Painted NON-leather Frame Drums by Karrel Christopher ART & Photography -- https://www.facebook.com/pg/Karrel-Christopher-ART-Photography-379579508720158/photos/?tab=album&album_id=827375437273894

Painted Frame Drums Portfolio: https://karrelchristopher.com/drums-wildlife-a-plants.html

Drums completed and ready to ship: https://karrelchristopher.com/drums-wildlife-a-plants/drums-thar-are-available.html

New LABYRINTH frame drum by Karrel

LABYRINTH DRUM

by artist © Karrel Christopher

Original design hand painted on a *non* leather Remo Fiberskyn frame drum ~ 16" diameter x 2 1/2" deep ~ quality finish and beautiful tone ~

A special commissioned drum honoring our journey of discovery and growth ~ with symbolic crow feathers and holly leaves ~ SOLD ~

Creating custom, painted totem drums for people around the world is such a heartfelt process from concept --to full color, detailed completion. The marriage of symbols old and new, spirit animals, representations from botanical world - and sound inspire the soul in many beautiful ways. Whether your drumming pursuits are simply musical or are part of your mediation, healing or spiritual practice – a personalized painted drum honors your unique expression. Please feel welcome to contact me for information about purchasing my available paintings and custom works on *non* leather Remo Fiberskyn frame drums.

Karrel's Hand Painted Drums portfolio: https://www.facebook.com/Karrel-Christopher-ART-Photography-379579508720158/photos/?tab=album&album_id=827375437273894

ART website: http://karrelchristopher.com/

Paintings on Pinterest:

https://nl.pinterest.com/karrelART/karrel-christopher-%7E-drums-hand-painted/

... https://nl.pinterest.com/karrelART/karrel-christopher-%7E-paintings/

Why I paint on Remo *non*leather drums: https://www.facebook.com/379579508720158/photos/a.827375437273894.1073741828.379579508720158/1219041908107243/?type=3&theater

WHY I choose SYNTHETIC *NON* leather REMO Frame Drums for my Totem Drum Paintings

My choice will ALWAYS BE >  SYNTHETIC *NON*leather!
Hand painted Remo Frame Drums by Karrel Christopher:
https://www.facebook.com/Karrel-Christopher-ART-Photography-379579508720158/photos/?tab=album&album_id=827375437273894

> DRUM HEADS: SYNTHETIC vs DEAD ANIMAL SKIN <
Recently, a drum collector visited my art studio and was admiring my hand painted frame drums and my animal paintings. He and his wife loved the quality and spirit of the artwork and the voice of the drums.

I shared with them that because I am VEGAN, I only painted my designs on *non*leather synthetic fiber REMO drums. Respect for animals being key – they also are more resilient and tone stable in various temperatures and humidity. As a musician and shaman workshop facilitator, he admitted that the animal skin drums he has used constantly go out of tune during his events (having to stop and make many adjustments). He agreed that the Remo drums had a great tone and loved the advantages in changing weather.

The wife mentioned that he had several goat skin drums – to which I automatically cringed with great sadness. As she reviewed my walls covered with several goat portraits, I could see she was feeling a bit awkward and embarrassed. --Then she added,
“Opps – sorry – I am sure they were only very old goats!”
.....WHAT ???? .....
I was stunned by her statement (excuse?) and reminded them that – regardless of their age...or species…that all animals cherish their lives…as we do. I got a nervous laugh from them both and they quickly changed the subject.

In the days that have followed, her words continued to jar my heart and brain. They were just another startling example of how people try to justify their choices and sooth their conscience. Though they perceive their choices as normal and innocent – some part of them must suspect the violence involved. Over and over again, I had to ask myself – how does this work? “I am sure they were only very old goats!” (like that makes it OK ?!!) Well, for NOT me – it doesn’t!

I know and dearly love many “old goats” and have also mourned their passing. They are all beautiful feeling individuals. And I respect the right to life – for ALL the ones I have not met. It would never occur to me to say – Hmmm, you know, I could make a drum or purse out of you because you are “OLD” – absolutely NOT! – NOT at any age!

So I am trying to figure the reasoning?! What if we lived in a society that found it a normal, mainstream and acceptable tradition (and a livelihood) to make drums, crafts, accessories and décor items out of *human skin and hair*?? Would using small children considered surplus & by-product (like in animal agriculture) be alright?! Would killing adults who were not very productive be practical?! Would knocking off grandparents (because they are OLD) be acceptable?! Extreme – yes!? Do those examples shock you – well of course they should! Being a good, well intentioned, moral person – you KNOW it would be absurd and very WRONG.

So WHY don’t we KNOW that slavery, exploitation and murder are WRONG for ALL innocent sentient SPECIES?!! All the *non*human animals all cherish their safety, family, freedom and lives too. What bizarre conditioning, brainwashing and marketing tricks have people assimilated?! – without question – even defiantly defending terrible acts - that most certainly would be a terrible contradiction to their sincerely professed values?! It is further disturbing that lots of folks ignore what should be obvious ethical concerns when it comes to those “old traditions and practices”. There are many who make earnest claims about “being spiritual” – all while banging on a drum made from the skin of an often tortured and murdered individual (and using other animal source accessories for their rituals).

For example, that GOAT SKIN DRUM is most likely from: a young male goat that was of no use to the dairy industry OR any goat raised & killed for meat OR an adult female depleted dairy goat whose productivity has dropped and is no longer profitable OR a victim of ritual slaughter OR any old goat someone could imagine making a profit with. So please ask yourself: What is the energy, music, intention, meaning – the sincerity and quality of spiritual – or artistic practice, when all that misery and violence is contained in the history of that poor animal? Let us awaken our heart intelligence. Think!

We are NOT cave men and women anymore. We have presumably evolved. We are supposed to be intelligent. And we are fortunate to have the wonderful advantage of many responsible and ethical alternatives for our use, enjoyment, expressions and profit. It would certainly seem more sincere and meaningful for all those items to come from a place of responsibility, love and peace.

Why not create new traditions, habits and rituals that leave out the violence. Choose LOVE. Let us honor each other and ALL our Earth Family with respectful, kind and compassionate choices.

Thank you for your consideration.

When we discover our conscience ~ we must act.
All beings cherish safety, family, freedom and LIFE
~~~ Live, rejoice and prosper VEGAN ~~~
Create a world respectful, just, safe and joyous for everyone. ~ KC

*non*leather hand painted frame drums by Karrel Christopher
https://www.facebook.com/Karrel-Christopher-ART-Photography-379579508720158/photos/?tab=album&album_id=827375437273894

Remo drums: please check out the *non*leather options! http://remo.com/

~ RIP Remo D Belli 1927 - 2016 http://remo.com/remobelli/
Thank you Remo. I will never forget your kindness to me as I started my journey of painting on frame drums. Your understanding, thoughtfulness and support were greatly appreciated. It was an honor to meet you, know you and tour your incredible drum manufacturing facility in Valencia, California. Thank you for showing the world how great NON LEATHER drums could be!! ~ KC
http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-remo-belli-20160503-story.html

Hand Painted Frame DRUMS

FRAME DRUMS by Karrel Christopher
~ Each is an original oil painting - no two alike - created with great care and spiritual intentions. They may be hung as fine art and be played for music, mediation and ceremony with a soft mallet . The original oil paintings are created on quality Remo Buffalo Drums - 16" x 3.5" frame drum. Includes mallet. The non-leather, cruelty free Fiberskyn head is pulled over a 3.5 inch deep frame/acousticon shell- providing excellent resonance. Braided cords are used for cross bracing to add to the look and feel of the Buffalo Drum. The center of the cording is comfort-coated for comfort. Beat near the center of the drum for deep pitches and accent them with higher pitch rhythms from the edge of the drum. *The synthetic drum head is more tone stable in various humidity and temperatures than animal skin drums. Every drummer I have spoken with compliments their durability and rich tone quality!

~ 8 drums are currently available on my website:
DRUMS: http://karrelchristopher.com/drums-wildlife-a-plants.html

It would be my pleasure to create a custom Totem DRUM for you or a loved one. New orders will be on non-leather Remo FiberSkyne Frame Drums - 16" x 2.5". The difference in 1 inch depth and a smooth finished darker outer edge. Now would be the time to place your order for upcoming HOLIDAY GIFTS to help assure on time deliveries. For birthday gifts, please allow 2-3 months lead time. You may also see a painting you desire on my website available for immediate shipping. Please feel welcome to contact me about purchase information, special commissions and local & international shipping details.
~ Paintings by © Karrel Christopher All rights reserved.
ART website: http://karrelchristopher.com/
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karrel-Christopher-ART-Photography/379579508720158
~ Animals inspire and enrich my life in countless ways. Each day my love, appreciation and respect for them continue to grow. It is my hope that through my oil paintings, designs, photographs and animal rights graphics - that people may be inspired towards compassionate living. In our awakening to the realities that animals experience, we can consciously evolve and decide to make kind and responsible choices for food, comfort, lifestyle, fashion, entertainment and profit. In doing so - animals, nature, people and Earth may have a chance to find contentment, health and a peaceful balance.
Imagery of animals can remind us of our sacred bond with all with all life. In making the connection we realize that we are not alone and that caring for their lives is equally as important as our own. You are invited to visit my art website and face book page to view some of my available creations and commissioned works.
~ Thank you for your interest and support ~ KC

ELK BUCK TOTEM DRUM

ELK BUCK hand painted frame drum

oil painting on non-leather Remo Fiberskyn quality drum

~ by © Karrel Christopher ~

This regal Buck painting measures 16" diameter, 2 1/2" deep

Commissioned Totem Drum for art patron - SOLD
Honor your favorite totem animals and spirit guides. Contact Karrel to order your custom non-leather frame drum for your next drum circle event, Native ceremony, full moon hike, meditation space or home.

E-mail: karrelchristopher@gmail.com for purchase information
Website: http://karrelchristopher.com/ 

SPOTTED EAGLE frame drum takes flight!

Spotted Eagle totem drum

Hand painted in oils on non-leather Remo frame drum

~ by © Karrel Christopher ~

measures 16" diameter, 2 1/2" deep

Commissioned Totem Drum - SOLD

E-mail: karrelchristopher@gmail.com for purchase information
Website: http://karrelchristopher.com/