Let My Heart Open Wide, Let it Bloom Like a Flower

Today I'd like to take a deeper dive into my "Mermaid with a Pink Lotus",  born in June of 2020.  She is the tenth piece in my Mermaid series, and the first of seven pieces I painted during the pandemic. 

The idea for the painting actually came about ten months earlier, in August of 2019.  My son was visiting Los Angeles and invited me to spend a couple of nights with him at a hotel in Laguna Beach, where I found the book "Becoming Supernatural" by Dr. Joe Dispenza.  I picked it up and started reading, fascinated by his research on the mind body connection.

The hotel gifted me the book, and it led me to Dr. Joe's "Blessing of the Energy Centers" meditation.  I was very new to chakras and meditation, and listening to this 45 minute journey through the energy centers of the body brought up a lot of emotions for me.  I was particularly taken by his words during the fourth center, the "Heart Chakra", where he spoke the words "Let my heart open wide, let it bloom like a flower".  It made me cry a bucket.

Somehow I knew this was going to be key for me.  Let my heart open wide.  Love.  Beginning with Self Love.

Let it bloom like a flower.  Which flower?  My mind went to the Lotus, a beautiful blossom that literally emerges from the mud.

In meditation I began to picture myself as a Mermaid holding a lotus, a pink one to be exact.  I was wearing pearls, a symbol of beauty formed by adversity.  And I was naked to the world, standing in my truth, as are most of my Mermaids.   

I started to see so clearly my own inner healing work that needed to be done, and journaled the following: "...the thought came to me that maybe I should look at a year in Tucson, as a retreat of sorts, one where I could focus on creation and self exploration.  I could come back to Cali later if I choose, once I know my retreat is over."  While I yearned for this time alone, I didn't have a clue how it could happen.  I tucked both the painting idea and the retreat idea away and slugged along in what was gearing up to be yet another one of my dark nights of the soul!

About six months later, in March of 2020, the world shut down, and it didn't take long before I began to receive the gifts of the pandemic.  I was still not alone, and still not in Tucson, yet I moved to exactly where I wanted and needed to be at the time, namely confronting the same unresolved issues!  It hit me like a ton of bricks!  So much healing still needed to be done. The words began to echo in my head once again... "Let my heart open wide, let it bloom like a flower".  The first gift of the pandemic... seeing what needed to be healed.  Love.  And the first is Self Love.

The second big gift of the pandemic was time.  With all of my events shut down, I was given focused time to paint.  And paint I did!  Working in Acrylic and Fine Art paper on Ampersand Claybord, my "Mermaid with a Pink Lotus", 24"x18", was born by the end of June.  It was only later that I began to understand just how important this painting would become in my own development. 

Symbolizing my "Higher Self", she was the first to arrive so that she could lead the way.  As the summer of 2020 progressed, along with a record heat wave, so did my meditation practice, and my spiritual awakening.  The next painting to arrive on the scene to assist me was my "Protector", and I will write about him next!

If my journey towards healing and self love resonates and you would like to have your very own print of "Mermaid with a Pink Lotus" on the wall to remind you of the importance of self love, you can click here to see my print options.  It would be my honor to inspire you in this way!

With Love and Light,

Linda

I'm on a Podcast!

Happy Spring!! Dear Art Loving Friends, Ever since the pandemic, it's been a goal of mine to have a conversation about "Art and Channeling".  When I finally said it out loud to the Universe in my recent "Bold Journey" interview, the power of intention worked its magic!! I met Omar Angulo recently at an event, discovered he's an actor and songwriter with a spiritual podcast, "In a Good Way", and that he was interested in this topic as well.  The rest is history!  We recorded our interview on the Spring Equinox, neither one of us realizing when we first spoke and chose the date that it would fall on this beautiful day of renewal and rebirth... the first day of Spring. So pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink (whatever makes you happy) and spend a little time with us as we chat about my painting process, some of our experiences with synchronicity, the connection between art and the subconsious mind, and much more.  You can access the episode here.  It's my sincere hope that it inspires you in some way!! A heartfelt thanks, by the way, to all who came to Frogtown for "Girl Dinner".  It was a great evening, and a big WELCOME if you are new to my list. I'd like to leave you all with a question today.  Have you had any experiences where you felt you were channeling from a higher source while creating?  I would love to hear about it! With Love and Light, Linda "Spring Mermaid", 11"x14", Mixed Media on Claybord, 2014 lindaqueally.com pearls here prints here Follow me on Instagram artbylindaqueally

Thoughts on the Pride Flag Ban in Huntington Beach

Surfers are near and dear to my heart, and I see them as Mer People.  During the three years that I lived in Long Beach, I spent many days in beach towns in Orange County observing and photographing surfers.  I found it to be so meditative.  Sitting on either the shore or the pier, I listened to the rhythm of the waves and waited, while they sat on their boards... and also waited.  

Then a wave would rise, and they would too, riding it to shore if they were lucky and the wave was just right.  I saw them as being in tune with nature, at one with the universe.  With nothing to focus on but the sea, I believe they quieted their mind and reflected on the bigger picture.

How could these same people be so in tune with nature yet so out of tune with their fellow man??  What happened to love and compassion for another being, regardless of whether they are like or unlike yourself??  

This spiritual, meditative sport seems riddled in contradiction to me now.

I was looking for one of my surfer images for this post, and this one hit me like a ton of bricks.  I'm going to call it "Distortion".  

I am of course talking about the vote yesterday in Huntington Beach to take away the right to hang a rainbow flag outside.  How could a country that prides itself on freedom of speech have gone so far in the other direction?  I hang my head in shame for Huntington Beach right now, who has chosen to drive yet another wedge between humans.  

What will it take for us to learn that LOVE is the only answer?  It's time for each one of us to focus our energy on our own journey, and lovingly and peacefully let others have theirs as well. 

With Love and Light,

Linda

 

 

"Beneath the Surface" in Frogtown for Women's History Month

Every Picture Tells a Story Greetings Art Lovers! When I purchased a blank 48"x48" stretched canvas back in 2009 only to discover it wouldn't fit in my car, the universe gave me a hand in the form of a friend who just happened to be shopping there and could drive the canvas home for me.  I then got to work on what would continue to be my piece with the most interesting history to date. "Beneath the Surface" was born in 2010, and I loved the finished piece but it still didn't fit in my car.  It seemed I was always looking for someone to drive it around for me!!  The universe took note and again gave me a hand, this time introducing me to a company that rents Art to movies and television. Becoming one of their favorites, my painting was featured in their showroom from 2014 to 2019, appearing in numerous shows, including NCI Los Angeles, Going Under, New Girl, Reverie, Lethal Weapon, 10 Days in the Valley, Libby and Malcolm, Training Day, Criminal Minds and Lucifer.  It was rented a total of fifteen times, with its biggest claim to fame being "Big Little Lies".  Appearing as a backdrop for Nicole Kidman in S2, E4, she exclaimed to Meryl Streep to "Get the *#$% out of here!!", as an evil Meryl explained "We need to do what's best for the boys". Ah... the drama of it all!  What a classic scene. Several arranged car rides after its run there, in 2022, it witnessed a storage break-in where it was not harmed!  Facing yet another move, I finally took it off the bars and rolled it up. Recently unrolling the painting for the first time in a while, I flung my arms to the heavens and exclaimed "If this painting could talk, what a story it would tell!!  This painting needs a home"! And then, you guessed it, the universe gave me a hand...  This history laden painting will be on display and available for purchase at an event in honor of International Women's History Month Come and meet the painting, the myth, the legend that is "Beneath the Surface" at... Open to All!!  Bring your Brothers, Partners & Pals!  Free Admission, Art, Live Music Food by Just What I Kneaded Wine by Justine's Wine Bar This is a popular event, so I encourage you  to preregister here. I'm offering this unique piece of Art that has rubbed elbows with the stars at $1850, unframed... perhaps you're just the person it will whisper it's story to. See You There! With Love and Light, Linda lindaqueally.com a quick little unrolling video here follow me on Instagram artbylindaqueally

Just Back From Mexico

Hello Friends!

I’ve just returned from a wonderful seven week road trip in Mexico, and this is what I noticed...

Just as I make art because I'm called to do it, I travel for the same reason. It's my soul's purpose! It's how I learn and grow. And if you read my latest interview with Voyage LA’s “Bold Journey” magazine, one of the things I talked about was maintaining balance between our spiritual and physical natures.  You can read the article here.  

When I’m at home in LA, my “foot in the physical plane” means selling at events, while my “foot in the spiritual plane” means making art and being a seeker.  I spend a lot of time alone and can be a bit "woo"... you can find me in La La Land.

But the pedal really meets the metal when you put this human in a car with another human for seven weeks, on a 4000 mile road trip in a foreign country, where we will also meet up and spend significant time with even more humans. Welcome to full blown planet earth mode! Time to put all that woo into practice on the physical plane.

Believe me, you can spend all the time in the world watching youtube and reading books about practicing love and compassion and facing your shadows, but the true test of how far you’ve come in your spiritual awakening is when you bring those principles out into the world and see if they stick.  

Then if you're still triggered from time to time (and you will be), ask the question “Why"?  

I did a piece in my sketchbook when I found myself facing that question one morning in Magdalena, Jalisco, noticing that I'm still often afraid to own my power. Bam! It's so important to remember that the real growth always comes not by pointing the finger at someone else, but by looking within. It's so powerful!

So today I just wanted to talk about how important travel is to me, calling and teaching me to become the best version of myself. How it pushes me to my limits and helps me step into my power (sometimes kicking and screaming)! HA! And to encourage you to do the things that you feel called to do as well, trusting that even if you are pushed to your limits, you are doing the work to uncover and embrace the hidden parts of yourself, so you, too, can shine like the sun.

This, my fellow seekers, is the good stuff.   This is our soul’s journey.  

With Love and Light,

Linda

 

My Swirling Brain and the North/South Nodes

It's morning on a gorgeous, sunny November day in Los Angeles. Allow me to take you inside my brain for a moment, and introduce you to just a few of the thoughts that swirl around as I try to decide what to get working on today. 

It goes something like this... I should be doing my sketchbook art.  No, I need to make jewelry for my event this weekend.  My customers want to see something new.  No, I need to photograph and list the jewelry I already have.  No, I promised my mentor I would write my Mission Statement this week.  But wait, first I should send out a newsletter.  How will my customers know where to find me?  No, wait, I'm supposed to be looking for grant money.  So I can pay off my art coaching program.  And frame the twenty two pieces in my "Water Spirit" series.  So I can find representation and have a one woman show.  Which reminds me,  I'm supposed to get working on my PDF portfolio.  But wait, I should go downtown because I need some pearls drilled for the weekend...

Get the idea?  

So what did I do to quiet down all that noise?  I meditated.  At first I thought I would chant, which I've taken a liking to.  But even that felt too noisy at the moment.  So I just closed my eyes and sat there in silence for 15 minutes.  And you know what came up?  Swirling fuchsia behind my eyelids.  And the message to write this blog post, in which I feel compelled to talk about the fact that I'm a North Node in Scorpio, South Node in Taurus in the 12th house.  

"What???" you say.  "What kind of Astrological mumbo jumbo is that?"  And it sounds suspiciously like you are further deflecting from above mentioned swirling list (kind of like doing the dishes, or washing your hair or taking a nap) by bringing this up.  But let me explain.  The North Node is supposed to reveal our highest path to growth in this lifetime.  And for me, I believe it includes sharing the things I've been learning, in the hopes it may help you on your path as well.   So here goes... What this placement means for me, is that I've already mastered security and comfort in other lifetimes (Taurus in the 6th house, my South Node), and my goal in this lifetime is to step away from over reliance on the physical and learn the energy of risk, transformation, change and the unknown, as well as to dive into my subconscious mind to see what's going on in there, and develop my intuition (Scorpio in the 12th House, my North Node).  By the way, I think my sketch of the candles at the Basilica di San Marco in Venice from earlier this year pictured here captures a bit of that intrigue I have with mysticism.  

Those who really know me will say....  "Well, that explains a few things".  

Learning this placement in my Natal Chart has given me comfort and insight into why I have been so drawn to challenge and upheaval in this lifetime.  And why I chose to let go of possessions and a secure job, trading the known for a nomadic artist's life of travel, adventure, and the unknown.  For a long time I just thought "What's WRONG with me?  Why can't I just be normal?"  

It actually became the subject of "Just Looking",  a self portrait I did in 2018, pictured here.  I portrayed myself as a Mermaid peering into a window where perhaps I was curiously observing a more orderly and secure lifestyle, a place in which I ultimately knew I didn't belong.  My piece expressed my personal journey in that moment, which I am more aware of than ever is the purpose of my art.

So instead of looking outside for the answers, I've come to understand it's an inside job.  My 12th House energy gets louder and louder, revealing itself in my insatiable urge to immerse myself in the study of spirituality, philosophy and mysticism.  I devour books and spend countless hours with Youtube videos and Podcasts about interpreting the Tarot, reading the Akashic Records, Astrology, Channeling, Near Death Experiences, Meditation, Buddhist Chanting, the life of Yogis, Psychic Mediumship, Star Seeds, opening the "Clairs", Past Life Regression and just about anything else I can get my hands on.

Discovering and embracing this placement has given me purpose, joy and hope!  I know I am walking the path towards my highest and best good in this lifetime, where it manifests in both my art, and in my ability to inspire others to be brave and walk their true path as well.  

So for today, I hope that maybe this piques your interest in uncovering the reasons that you are drawn in certain directions.  You may already be on your own highest path in this lifetime and not even see it, because you are so busy questioning it, fighting it, or listening to what others may think is right for you.

You may even want to do your own Natal chart.  There are several sites on the internet where you can do one for free.  You just need to enter your exact birthdate, time and place of birth.  You can find your own North/South Node, which could provide some AHA moments for you, helping you to start unconditionally loving those parts of yourself that you once thought were wrong, but turns out are really divinely, perfectly right. 

And finally, let's go back to the beginning and talk for a moment about how this all relates to that whirling, swirling list I mentioned earlier.  My spiritual practices have helped me to know how to quiet my mind, and then make choices on how to use my time that continue to move me to my highest purpose, one step at a time, using both my art and my writing to gain clarity to better explain what, why and how I create, thus raising my own frequency, which in turn will help raise your frequency as well!!  Now that's a real win win!!  And that's why I'm here.

With Love and Light,

Linda

 

  

On Art and Channeling

It's October 7, 2023, and it's around 8am.  A group of my paintings are lined up in front of me on the floor.

Sipping my coffee, I stare at them, and they stare back at me.  Silently.  Clearly they asked to be brought into this world.  Like my own children, I was a channel for them.  Are they a part of me?  Or are they through me, but not of me?

Here they sit.  Patiently observing me.  Asking "Now what"?  

In 2020, during the summer of the pandemic, I had a spiritual awakening.   My "Mermaid with a Pink Lotus" (a self portrait of my higher self) and my "Protector" (literally),  the first two pieces, were born during that time. 

I wasn't living alone, though, and my soul was crying out.

So in October of 2020 I retreated to the desert, where I was to spend most of the next nine months in solitude. And it was there that the paintings came one after another, starting in December.  The idea would come in a dream or meditation, and I would be guided by an inner voice, loud and clear, to books, to materials at the art store, and even to a nearby lake to observe the color of the water. 

"Oshun", then "Yemaya", then "Conversation with a Mermaid", then "Gaia", then "Shango" arrived,  each one revealing themselves day by day as I worked.  

Suddenly I understood how movies are made and concertos are written.  How singers can get on stage in front of thousands of people.  How to step aside and let spirit flow through.  Like magic.  Looking back now I realize that during the pandemic, when the world stood still, and I was relieved of the pressure of going out to sell, I was given the rare gift of the freedom to take time simply and exclusively to go within.

 

The tears flow now as I write this, reliving with great gratitude the profoundness of that experience.  Above are the seven paintings, photographed together in Green Valley, Arizona at the end of my stay in June of 2021.

I knew it was time to return to Los Angeles to ground and integrate what I had learned in the desert.  If I stayed too long, I could lose myself there.  So just like that my crown closed, and along with it, the channel.

Why did these beings come through?  I thought at the time that I was meant to reach many people with this work.  Perhaps that's still true.  Or was it just to teach me with absolute certainty what it feels like to channel, and set the stage for the next experience?  

And what about the originals?  Is there someone out there that is supposed to share in the sacred magic by putting one of these special beings on their own wall?  How do I reach them?  Where do I find them?

This, my friends, is the journey of an artist...

With Love and Light,

Linda