We recently had the chance to connect with Linnea Hodson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Linnea, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Getting in my creative energy is something that makes the rest of the world melt away…and helps me come back home to myself. Creativity can show up in a lot of ways, and I think it’s important to go wherever I’m being led. Some days, I paint. Sometimes, it’s creating jewelry or making a vision board. Other days, it’s something more practical, like cooking a meal from scratch or rearranging the furniture in my space. No matter what it is that summons creativity, I love being able to fully devote my attention to one thing. In doing that, all the extra stressors and thoughts seem to float away, bringing me back to joy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Linnea Hodson, and I am a creative to the core. My artistic journey has taken me down many paths over my lifetime – professional dance, embroidered apparel, make-up artistry, and more – but one modality has remained through it all: painting. No matter what ups and downs life may hand me, putting a brush to canvas always helps me find my center and express that which I’m unable to put into words.
In a world where we’re constantly asked to verbalize what we’re feeling or experiencing, art has become my outlet for processing that doesn’t require an explanation. My style is a form of abstract realism that blends the spirit realm with our waking lives – a visual connection of the mind, body, and spirit. Every single one of us is a deeply energetic being, and my goal is to translate those experiences through color and shape. My hope is that my work guides those who view it into a deeper state of discovery of our own inner worlds.
Currently, I’ve got a few projects in the works. I am creating new additions for my gallery, working on commissions, and showing my works throughout Los Angeles. Additionally, I am in the beginning stages of developing an art residency based on astrocartography and the deeper exploration of the self – a journey that encourages one to traverse both the globe and their inner landscape.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Both of my parents are to credit for my work ethic. I am blessed to have grown up in a family where both my mom and dad were not just hard-working, but genuinely passionate about the work they did. My parents both worked as public school teachers – my father as the head band director, and my mother as an internship coordinator/special circumstances teacher. Their positions were incredibly varied and required long hours of work, even outside of the typical school hours. But they loved the work they did, and they found it beyond rewarding to guide others and lift them up in the process. These qualities were infused into my being. Because of the example my parents set, I am never one to shy away from hard work, and I’m always ready to start a new project, no matter what it takes. As the old adage goes, “Love what you do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
One of the truths of life that I always say is: “enlightenment comes through suffering.” As macabre or morose as that sounds, it is the truth – because it’s in the darkest moments that the brightness is highlighted more than ever. I have been through some tough experiences in my life. The one that truly changed my trajectory was being diagnosed with a rare brain tumor at age 25. In the depths of one of the scariest times of my life, I was pushed to greater and deeper learnings I would not have otherwise experienced. It was an uncomfortable process, but the strength, growth, and wisdom that come from journeying through the eye of the storm and embodying that wisdom is something that I could only learn for myself. Through the darkness, I am able to see the bright, shining, silver light in everything…and that is the greatest gift.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Compassion. I firmly believe that we simply need more compassion and understanding in this world. Every conversation we have, every person we pass in traffic, every email we send…there’s always a way to add a bit more love to what we do. And this is not to say that life is sunshine and rainbows all the time! Far from it actually. That’s exactly why adding a sprinkle of empathy to everything we do can go a long way. As I move through my days, I do my best to come from a place of understanding. It’s something that’s very important to me – and I always try to encourage others to do the same as well.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that when I’m gone, people will tell a story of determination, creativity, and love. The things I want to be remembered for in this life are not physical objects or a business empire. No…the legacies that last are the ones people leave behind by simply being their authentic selves. Stories of never giving up, even when times were tough, or many people were saying “you can never do that.” Continuing to feed that creativite fire, even when the chips were down. Whether its through my paintings or through connecting with someone in person, my goal is to inspire others to follow their own dreams. In this lifetime, I want to be so true to myself and my artistic intuition that it resonates with people…even after I’m long gone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.linneahodsonart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linnea.stardusthealer/
