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

Dreaming New Mexico

Dreaming New Mexico--Gouache painting by Mitzi Linn
To dream something is to imagine something. I am imagining being in Northern New Mexico right now. Imagining another journey there is the first step--'the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step'-- LaoTze--Tao de Ching

Ghost Ranch

Dark Horse Night--gouache painting by Mitzi Linn--inspired by time spent in New Mexico.

The Ghost Ranch outside Abiquiu NM is one of my favorite places. It is beautiful. They have a campground, a laundry, a library, rooms for rent, and a cafeteria. They host various workshops over the summer. Hiking and horseback riding are great ways to explore their land of enchantment. Here's a link to Ghost Ranch--one of Georgia O'Keefe's favorite places. You can walk to the house she owned there--where she lived and painted.
www.ghostranch.org

Navajo Account of American Conquest

Photo by George Huey

I saw this account of the American war against the Navajo in Canyon de Muertos. Named for the massacre and defeat of the Navajo in this part of Canyon de Chelly, their sacred homeland.

Postcard from Canyon de Chelly

Photo by Russ Finley

I find myself wanting to travel again now that spring is arriving. Canyon de Chelly on the Navajo Reservation is one of my favorite places. Standing on the rim and looking down, the Canyon called me to explore it on horseback and on foot during my first visit to Chinle. Here's an edited poem inspired by the visit.....
Blue Horse Sequence
i
Coral-colored rocks.
Chalk-white sands, The
infinite blue sky rising from
distant black mesas.
I glimpse a mirage,
A blue shimmer,a dazzle or
a wild wandering spirit....The blue horse.
ii
The Blue Horse
speaks a secret tongue, wanders in Beauty
outside time, before, beyond
Blue horses merge in blue winds.
They raise their heads against
Chinle’s frozen winter stars.
I ride the Blue Horse Spirit. We,
kindred spirits in transformation,
Beauty behind us. Beauty in front.
Surrender to Beauty.
In Beauty
It is done.

The Bananaleaf Series

Painting: BLS: Wild Horses--gouache by Mitzi Linn

A painting for all my sisters. Celebrating the spiritual nature of women for International Women's Day. Sisterhood is powerful. Let's honor our beautiful feminine planet and her creations.

The Oasis Series

"Oasis #5" gouache painting by Mitzi Linn

I look towards spring from my window above the park. This painting series was created in Oaxaca. The tall rocks represent spirits of the natural world. They are also spirit guides--connected to our universal ancestors as well as enlightened beings existing in the spiritual world.

On a waterway, a boat sails by. At the bottom of the spirit stones, grow many tropical type plants. The sky is sunset red. The boat holds our hopes and dreams as we sail into the unknown.

Welcome to Mitzi's Studio

My apartment in Eugene's tallest building is tiny. I imagine it to be like a New York apartment, with all available spaces to be used. Here's part of my collection of things from living in Oaxaca off and on for 20 plus years, as well as various paintings made over those same years. In the photo you can see a Tree of Life candle made in Teotitlan, at the top on the right. They are usually found in the church there and are given to the family of the bride-to-be in a beautiful ceremony called "Contentar" The paintings are some of my favorites which I have kept over the years.
A closer view of part of the art wall including a painted chair from Margarito Melchor of San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca. Two jicapetzles sit on the bottom shelf. After being a nomad and housesitter over the years, I am pleased to surround myself with things I like from my travels.
.

Friends from Teotitlan

Gi'bets--Teotitlan's sacred mountain
Bryan (American) with Ale Rios and Tito Mendoza in Teotitlan on Todos Santos (photo by Liv)
Dinner on Todos Santos with Tito, Abi, Ale, Liv and Mitzi (photo by Bryan)









Tito & Lili & Santi by their house altar on Todos Santos (the Day of the Dead)










Tito's parents--Felix and Antonia with their Day of the Dead altar on Todos Santos.

Below--My old friend Altagracia (on right) with Soledad and Maria (her daughters-in-law) and her grandaughter Mayto. They were cooking for a group at the Danza de la Pluma. Alta is famous for her traditional barbacoa.

La Danza de La Pluma-- For the Virgin of Guadelupe

Linda, the Dancer, with her grandmother. Then a foto of her parents Lichita and Ismael at their home with their jicapetzles before going to the dance in front of the church in Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca