SKYISLANDS

location: occupied land of the Tohono O’odham (tucson, az)

grateful for the tipping of the planet into a cooler time. welcoming a slower time.

BIRTHING THE YAMPA

location: steamboat,colorado

Hi, writing from many feet in the air. Heavy machines move earth & Kate Bush croons.. Day 15 on this 1,600 + squat foot wall in Steamboat.

It’s fun, it’s hard and I’m almost done.

Things I have learned:

✺ buy the gallon it is worth it (25 gallons so far)

✺ doodle grids are magic

✺ scaffolding is a mega challenge. But, many have done much more with much less.

✺ buy the highest quality rollers

✺ buy premixed over mixing your own on projects this big

DESERT MIRACLES

DAY 4. It’s 12:17 PM a.m. & it’s currently 103°. I am painting in Phoenix, Arizona. To avoid the heat I have been painting by headlamp. Colors obscured by the blanket of night. Welcoming the uncomfortable sweat, the crickets are singing to me at least.

SWELTERING

sweltering

sticking to a chair, you rest.

you are listening

the environment says

DO NOTHING

sweltering

we have lived in all environments on this blue sphere that nurtures us

us humans

we have sweltered before

we are frozen before

it is in extremes

lessons are learned

here i will swelter

& learn to move slow

& embrace the sweat

HOW TO GIVE A GENUINE APOLOGY by MIA MINGUS

This is about how you can apologize better, not how someone else can apologize better to you. While I am sure that we have all received terrible apologies and have people in our lives who need to learn how to  apologize better, this is a chance for you to reflect on your own accountability, not someone else’s. As you read this, I encourage you to think about who you need to apologize to, rather than who needs to apologize to you because we all have people we need to apologize and make amends to. We all have work to do and we can all be part of helping to build a culture of accountability in our relationships and communities. - Mia Mingus, Leaving Evidence

HOW DO I GET BETTER?

You practice.

Whatever you want to get better at you need to let your ego sit to the side, be vulnerable and put in the time to practice. When you make mistakes take notes. Ask for help from others. Repeat for the rest of your life.

Whether, speaking a new language, mastering a martial art or being a more compassionate human.

We are not born with the skills we already have such as speaking or writing. We learn through practice, with the help of loved ones family and teachers, we are held through the journey over years and years.

I spent 3 month in Guatemala speaking spanish. Guess what, I am so far from fluent, because 3 months is such a short time to master a language. Did I improve? Yes, and I am humbled by the intricacies of language and what the mind can retain in a single day.

We have a finite amount of time in a day so be diligent in how you use it. Use your energy wisely. (Put your phone down)

Be humble, be vulnerable, be compassionate with yourself and keep practicing your desired skill everyday.

love, lindee

“practice leads to the sharpest analysis”

— Mia Mingus

Drawing with Harvey (my host family in San Miguel, Guatemala)

SOL Y VERDE

Location: Peten, Guatemala

Currently, spending the month of January in Peten, Guatemala.

How we got here:

Lisa (good friend and collaborator) and I met Lou, while at Canelo Project in September 2022. After a great month of bonding over natural building and plasters we were fast amigas. I had already planned on being in Mexico/ Guatemala to further Spanish learning. Therefore we decided to venture south for January and assist the project she was collaborating on with Balthazar & Emanuel, Sol y Verde.

What:

Sol y Verde, a restoration project in the Mayan biosphere, outside the small town of Paxcaman. The dream and work of Balthazar and Emanuel, a tenacious and father son duo. The project has been establishing roots for years, cultivating relationships with land an local communities. Just recently they were able to secure their own land to steward. The project has already planted hundreds of plants, trees and medicines. With the help of Lou, Valentina and Jasmine organizing, a school and community center will begin construction in February. (link below if you want to support that endeavor)

Were lucky to arrive when so much community building has been done. Every Sunday, is the womens group, Fronteras Entretejidas, around 2 o’clock women and kiddos trickled in from the pueblita. Women started to make their way around the kitchen. Everyone is at ease and smiling, happy to be together. Some set about gathering sticks to make a fire. Others look for various tools, cutting the bottoms of plastic bags to use for a flat surface for flattening the maize mix. Kiddos, sit at the table learning how to do printmaking from one of the volunteers. The air is a buzz with energy and connecting. This is what community looks like. Every Sunday has been like this.

Lisa and I had the opportunity to lead an activity for the kids, last Sunday. Using the Achote plant, the seed pods have beautiful brilliant orange seeds that can be crushed and made into paint. It is also used in many different applications such as cooking and natural food dye. Mixing the crushed seeds with water, we showed the kiddos how to make paint and then proceeded to creation.

This last Sunday, we made a natural plaster called basecoat ( a natural finish we learned at the Canelo Project). Showing the kids how to apply the mix is more fun than work. We spent most of the afternoon throwing handfuls of clay, sand & hay. We finished with a round of black beans and queso fresco tostadas and tamarindo juice.

We have been here now for about 2 weeks. It feels really amazing witness a project with so much heart. I really believe that to move forward we all must put our hands in the soil and get to work. Watching everyone here do it with such care and consideration the ecosystems here is inspirational to say the least.

Photos & work with the incomparable:

Kalin Steen of Nito Project along with Lisa Rooney, Lou Elena Bouey, Valentina Antollini & Jasmine Ward.

MIGRATION IS BEAUTIFUL

Finished this mural @ Belmar Shopping Center in Lakewood December 2023. Site of the resturant Lady Nomada.