Mexican Buddha (Homage to Arya Tara)

Collage--A-Tara #2 (c) Mitzi Linn

I am creating some collages with my prints and Buddha images taken from a catalogue. It's fun to cut and paste--seeing where this goes. I plan to make a slide show with another one of my own songs using these new images. Kiki called this piece Mexican Buddha. Hum.... Enjoy......

Portrait of Coyote Woman Today

Coyote Woman seen here in her sky studio dreaming up some new work and adventures. Handknit capelet by Mary Alice Nuebeck. Skull in paper mache from El Nahual in Oaxaca.

Weaving in background from Line of the Spirit....an equal-armed floating cross (not Christian) designed by Richard Enzer. This was the first, the demonstration weaving, of that design. Woven in Teotitlan. A trade for healing work with Richard.

Join the Fiesta in Oaxaca

I love these parades down the Alcala. I can almost hear the umpah band, the drums and see the smiles of the dancers. Next week the International Dance Festival will provide great entertainment for all the Oaxaquenos, and their extranjero devotees.

El Sol y La Luna Mask.....

Here's an iconic image of Mexico--the sun and the moon. Un imagin iconico
de Mexico. I got the mask in Oaxaca years ago, but it is from Guerrero.
Compre la mascara en Oaxaca pero viene de Guerrero.

Flamenco

Flamenco #1---Gouache study by Mitzi Linn

This is a study for paintings about flamenco, one of my favorite dance forms.

"Angel's Song" by Mitzi Linn

Music and Artwork (c) Mitzi Linn,1974 and 2012

My latest video with me singing and playing a song I wrote in the 1970's. I uploaded paintings I made since 1990, making them panoramas with iPhoto--that gives the full screen effect with double images.

Angel was a real person in my life at Wolf Creek. Her flip out and then healing affected many of us, her friends and commune mates. The story called "Angela's Metamorphosis" on my other blog Wild Wisdom Highway tells a more complete story. There's a link on this blog with my photo reading Tarot many years ago at the Oregon Country Fair.

Earthblankets--new paintings

Earthblanket #1 gouache painting by Mitzi Linn 15"x 18" for sale.

Earthblanket # 2 new gouache painting by Mitzi Linn.....8"x 18" For sale.


It feels good to be creating some new work now in the new year. I hope you enjoy this post. Wishing all the best in 2012.

Welcome to 2012

An ancient statue of a Zapotec woman embodying a goddess. It was on the cover of a Mexicana airlines magazine some years ago. Another find in my image archives. She's ceramic with red paint. It's a common color called cochinea made from tiny insects that feed on cactus in Mexico. The Zapotecs started Mt Alban around 500BC in the Oaxaca Valley. They inhabited the valley for thousands of years before that. They used hieroglyphics like other ancient cultures in the Americas and the Middle East. Lucky for us the Zapotecs still live in their original homeland.

Happy Holiday Card by Holly Haas

I wish everyone holidays filled with contentment and joy. And a productive, healthful, and fun 2012. May all beings have the causes for happiness. Hugs

Felice Navidad a todos y un Prospero Ano Nuevo. Que reciben todos la paz, la alegria, y el bienestar y divertismo......Abrazos.

Homage to the Virgin of Guadelupe on December 12

"Guadelupe the Corn Dancer" by Mitzi Linn.
May she protect and bless all of us.

Here she is the pre-conquest goddess dancing the sacred corn in a hand woven huipil. On the new moon and with some sacred flowers from before the espanoles.

Fireworks-man dancing with exploding toro of paper mache in Oaxaca fiesta

A little light for the dark times here in El Norte!

Winter scenes in New Mexico

Water color painting by Fran Larsen entitled "Camino de Farolitos" 1995. Note the luminarias by the gate and on the roof tops. I really love her work. She painted the frames too to be part of the whole piece.

Photos from northern New Mexico in the winter. Enjoy. From postcards and other sources.

Luminarias at an ancient American kiva. The luminaria tradition lights the way along highways, and streets and roads in New Mexico around Christmas. I remember them along the highway between Santa Fe and Taos the year I spent Christmas there. It's Spanish in origin and in this calendar photo, staged I think at Bandalier Natl Monument.

Sanctuario de Chimayo in northern New Mexico.

A door in a wall in Santa Fe during the winter.

Taos Pueblo in winter. Photo by Scott Fields. One of the oldest settled places of this continent. Taos Pueblo is a bit north of the town, which is really charming too.

Las Chinas de Oaxaca

I lifted this cheerful foto from Oaxaca Turismo. The regional dances are enchanting and varied.

Time Passes .....celebrating el Dia de Los Muertos

Photo by Antonio Turok, "Dia de los Muertos" 1976 in Mexico. Where I live these days has a few gentlemen who look like the guy in foto. Time passes, but death never dies.

Family altar in Huatla de Jimenez, the Mazatec area of Oaxaca, taken in 1976




Some photos from Artes de Mexico's edition on Day of the Dead from 1993.







Creating altars, decorating graves and making a ritual are all arts related to the celebration of Day of the Dead, or Todos Santos.

Day of the Dead Art Suite

"Flying Muertos" gouache painting by Mitzi Linn

I just created a new post to share some images from my Day of the Dead experiences. I tucked away the art cards from shows in Oaxaca for later enjoyment, like now!!!

Scroll down to see art from La Mano Magica's exhibitions.

Day of the Dead Art from Oaxaca

Lithograph by Maximino Javier "Sin Titulo" 1995 Day of the Dead Show at La Mano Magica in Oaxaca. I really like Max's sense of humor!


Papel Picado by Mauricio Bonilla for a show at La Mano Magica. Let's join them in the dance!!!!


Silkscreen print by Juan Mariano Testera for the Day of the Dead show at La Mano Magica in 1993. Part of the announcement card of the show. Saludos a Juan Mariano.....


Watercolor by Kate Corbett, "Viva Mexico" from Day of the Dead show at La Mano Magica in 1990. One of my favorites. Saludos a Kate......


Painting by Felipe Morales " El Segundo Yo" in La Mano Magica's Day of the Dead show 1990. A favorite of mine. Saludos a Felipe.....


Karen Turtles grave in the Teotitlan Del Valle cemetery in 1993, decorated by Mitzi and Montano Familia. Photo by Arnulfo Mendoza at night on Nov 2. In memory of my friend Karen. Decorating graves is an art in Oaxaca and all of Mexico. El Dia de los Muertos o Todos Santos is my favorite Mexican holiday. Little by little it is arriving here in El Norte. (Gracias a los migrants de los ambos paises.)

I wanted to share some images from Oaxaca. These shows and artists inspired me to paint and make a series about the Day of the Dead. I hope you enjoy their work. Saludos a todos los difuntos y antipasados de todos de nosotros. Y los vivos tambien.....

May the Virgin of Guadelupe guide your way--Safe Journeys

--
Art card by Judy Perry of Bisbee, AZ. Check out her website. www.judyperrybisbee.com I was lucky to meet her when I lived in Bisbee. I met her through another woman friend, Mary Walker, a massage therapist there. Thanks universe, and blessings to them.

Today's observation

Clouds hang over the valley,
little rain but then no sun either.....
O..O.........
Winter hangs out on my mind's edges....
If I blow really hard,
can I move the clouds away and bring the sun?.....

What is better, myth or everyday life?
I witness the Fall from summer's grace and warmth..
Adam and Eve find apples under a wild tree.....
They make mythic applesauce.
We'll eat that applesauce later.

copyright Mitzi Linn

Orygen Menla

An image of Tibetan Guru Rinpoche as a healing Buddha.
"Om A Hung Vajra Guru Pema Siddhi Hung"

Gouache paintings by Mitzi Linn.....Combined images of "Horse Lovers" and "Horse Women go Swimming".

Though I don't seem to go swimming much these summers, I always associate summer with swimming. These paintings are summer offerings. They are small paintings and for sale individually.

Adam and Eve Visit Santa Fe, New Mexico

Gouache painting by Mitzi Linn

Vacationing in Santa Fe, A and E communicate with a feathered serpent in a tree at the Plaza. Hum----******-----

The Gift

"The Gift" gouache painting by Mitzi Linn
Something new for you to look at. The painting is approximately 11 by 14 inches, available for sale.

Welcome Springtime

Bananaleaf Series: First Love--gouache painting by Mitzi Linn
The first of the Bananaleaf Series.

Lately I wake up to morning dreams of being in a lover's arms, embraced in a beautiful intimacy which I have been missing for some time. It's a dream I remind myself, but it feels good and I want to keep dreaming.

As daytime life assembles itself I remember that it too is a dream in which we are moving about, seemingly awake. In my daytime dream I don't wish for the intimate love appearing in my night dream movie but do wish for Love, the divine type, that heals all suffering. I wish that for all.

Adam and Eve Visit Palm Springs: Happy Angel Resort

Painting by Mitzi Linn

I am posting this painting to cheer us all as winter lingers and spring seems hesitant to arrive. The painting is for sale and is approximately 18 by 15 inches. You can contact me at mitzi_linn@hotmail. com if interested. This is one Adam and Eve painting in a series done over years. They will be teeing off on a golf course somewhere nearby. I lived in Palm Springs for a couple months in 1998 where I did this painting.

Looking to Higher Ground

I offer this beautiful photo of Mt Everest to all who are suffering everywhere on the planet today. May all beings be free of suffering. May you and I and everyone find genuine happiness in our lives.

La Cumbia del Mole by Lila Downs with Artwork by Mitzi Linn

Paintings in the video are by me, Mitzi, Kate Corbett and Rudolfo Morales. I met Kate and Rudolfo in Oaxaca. Kate's work-- 2 water colors-- realistic chilis/onions in dishes on a table, and a red table with lily in green pottery pitcher. Rudolfo's painting is a red city scene with feminine figures. All other paintings or collages are by Mitzi Linn

Photos of Reyna (Zapotec chef) from article about Reyna in Mija Chronicles (blog)Photos of Lila Downs from various sources, photo with Tito Mendoza from El Nahual gallery. Other photos from my own collection and postcards include folk art, textiles and dancers.

Lila gave me permission to use her music when I saw her in Oaxaca.

Following the Feathered Serpent

Feathered Serpent climbs the Tree of Life: Daystars
Painting by Mitzi Linn

20 years ago, about this time of the year, and after studying the myth of Quetzalcoatl for some time, I journeyed to Teotihuacan to sit at his pyramid. A few weeks later, after being at Palenque, we stopped at Tonina which was still being excavated. Our guide, the caretaker there, showed us around. They had pretty much dug out the 7 level pyramid. On one level we found Quetzalcoatl's (Kulkulcan) temple and remains of blue paint on the carving of a feathered serpent on a door lintel.

After that I did a series of paintings about the Feathered Serpent. I finally had something I wanted to say in images. That set me on a new path and transformed my life.

Painting by Christel Becker

I have always loved this painting by Christel of the Chamula area outside San Cristobal de Las Casas. I saw her at Kiki's house last time I was there. Now she designs gardens and sees that they are created for others. We should have known from these paintings that gardening is her biggest passion.

Celebrating My Birthday (again)

Here's an old foto of me with my great uncle Leonard back in the late 1940's. He and I were close. In this outing we were somewhere in Indianapolis gadding about. I missed him after we moved away a couple years later. Thanks dear uncle Leonard for your love back then.....

Happy New Year from Buddhas Garden

Here's an old photo from the Buddha statue garden at Tashi Choling outside Ashland looking out from the gate which is open. By this I want to say I hope all your gates are open and you are free to pursue your life in a positive way and one that also benefits others. We all want peace and justice and well being.
I am content that I chose Buddhism about 30 years ago....It is a path with heart and with the potential to liberate us.

Church in Oaxaca Valley

This is the church at Tlacochauaya......near Teotitlan.

In Oaxaca every morning at 7 am the local church.....Carmen Alta......rings its bells.......That church probably sits on an old site from before the Conquest where the locals celebrated the Guelaguetza in honor of the corn goddess. I read that in the Oaxaca newspaper a few years ago. A guelaguetza is a giveway and fiesta made by everyone co-operating.

In Teotitlan it is the way to have a great fiesta, like a wedding, where everyone pays back others what they previously received from them. Lists are compiled.....you got 4 turkeys, you now give 4 turkeys.......you received 100 handmade tlayudas, you now bring your metate and mano and the dough and make 100 tlayudas at your compadre's or relative's wedding.... They provided 10 boxes of cervezas for your 7 day wedding, and you will return the favor. A beautiful custom.

Soon to fly out of this querida place. I am so thankful Oaxaca is part of my life.

Guadelupe the Corn Dancer

Gouache painting by Mitzi Linn
Guadelupe is dancing the corn ears....mazorca....recently harvested here in the Oaxaca valley. Just the other day Tito´s family in Teotitlan went to their fields to bring in corn, which will be dried and then used to make tortillas and tlayudas for their meals. His sister Reina is giving cooking classes at their family home in Teotitlan now after working with other chefs. I hope she will make me some mole negro to bring back.
Pilgrims scurry about too, arriving with fireworks to celebrate the day of the Virgin of Guadelupe on Sunday. My painting is part of a series of Guadelupes dancing, ie making sacred, various things--here, the corn.
Today is the Virgin of Juquila´s day.....before becoming catholic, ie before the conquest, both were goddesses of the indigenous people here. Juquila specifically comes from Oaxaca.

Yesterday I said hello to Quetzalcoatl (the feathered serpent).......who is still seen near or in the church (and prehispanic temple) in Teotitlan--hidden in a figure of the Christ....One of Q.´s aspects is creativity...Ojala me ayuda!

Mexico Mix

A collage of Mitzi's images.......
I am heading for Oaxaca in a couple weeks. Looking forward to seeing all my friends/families there and eating at my favorite restaurants--La Olla and La Bisnaga and El Descanso......and seeing...feeling....tasting....knowing that beautiful old place again. Hoping to renew myself on many levels......Saludos a mi querida Oaxaca.....

Frida's Bouquet

Collage by Mitzi Linn
Here's a collage of my images and of Frida's I put together a few years ago.

Honoring friends and family for Day of the Dead

We, Edmundo Montano family and I, decorated the grave of Karen Turtle for Todos Santos in 1992. Karen died in Oaxaca during Semana Santa in 1992. Her ashes were buried in the cemetery of Teotitlan Del Valle after a ceremony hosted by the Montano's and attended by people of the folkarte communities of Oaxaca. Karen had many friends and she is still missed.

"Our Planet Earth" a new painting by Mitzi Linn
Our Children's Trust will use a similar image. Stay tuned for more info.
Happy Equinox, Full Moon and Fall!

Butterfly Canyon

Butterfly Canyon--Gouache painting by Mitzi Linn

This painting was inspired by a visit to a sacred waterfall near Juquila, Oaxaca. The water was sacred to the prehispanic Zapotec goddess who preceded the Catholic virgin .....The Virgin of Juquila. She is the focus of much adoration among Oaxacans still.

Guatemalan Textile and a Poem

Photo of part of weaving from San Juan Cotzal, K'iche', Guatemala.

View From My 50’S

Contemplating the journey ahead
I can only remember past ones,
across open spaces,
journeys that cleansed this being
of Doubt and Fear.

I can only go how and where
My heart directs me.
I continue,
With intense aloneness,
Looking at each horizon
as a possible home.
The same way I stare in lighted windows as
I pass along this street.

The journey to the Light is
the same as the one home.
The going is a becoming.
I seek wisdom and compassion,
a total healing of my myriad selves.

Still, in awe of the Spirit’s pull,
I know Death cannot free me
of this longing to go beyond...........

Through lifetimes of learning and letting go,

karmic debts will be paid.

Wise, compassionate, empty,
I will be free at last.


1997 copyright Mitzi Linn

Womantrees Dancing to Perfume de Gardenias.

Here's another video of paintings set to music by Lila Downs. Womantrees Dancing is a spiritual feminist series that features the concept of women as the Tree of Life, a universal symbol and motif. They dance with the wind, the rain, with experience and to celebrate. As trees their roots go deep in the earth. Faceless, they refer to their archetypal identity. All paintings copyright Mitzi Linn

Slideshow "La Bamba" by Lila Downs... Oaxacan Inspired Paintings by Mitzi Linn

Here's my first attempt at a slideshow with music. I had to put it on YouTube in order to put it on my blog. I know Lila Downs and her partner, Paul Cohen, from the '90's in Oaxaca. They are really good people as well as really talented and creative musicians. A gozar!

How Can We Know the Dancer from the Dance?

Womantrees Dancing--Spring--- Gouache painting by Mitzi Linn

Labour is blossoming or dancing where
The body is not bruised to pleasure soul,
Nor beauty born out of its own despair,
Nor blear-eyed wisdom out of midnight oil.
O chestnut-tree, great-rooted blossomer,
Are you the leaf, the blossom or the bole?
O body swayed to music, O brightening glance,
How can we know the dancer from the dance?

from "Among School Children" by W. B. Yeats