In our series The Zealous Set, we talk to the artists catching our attention about what they’re creating, watching, reading, and what they’re currently inspired by.
This week, Art Zealous editor Stephanie Zimmerman-Black speaks with Colorado-based painter and energy healer Lindsay King about her practice, what kind of Spotify playlist is best for studio time, and her upcoming collaborations with self-care and empowerment artists.
Lindsay King is more than a visual artist – she’s a healer, who infuses love energy and reiki into every work she creates.
I first fell in love with Lindsay’s work over Instagram. The soft watercolor pastel hues of her paintings are soft and captivating, and had an almost visceral effect on me like a merino wool scarf. Viewing her art is a cozy hug for the soul.
Recently, I commissioned a Soul Essence painting from Lindsay to commemorate a special time of transition in my life. She guided me through a series of introspective questions that helped me find clarity in many aspects of my life, particularly in the self-confidence arena.
I had so many burning questions for Lindsay after our session together – and I knew I had to feature her on The Zealous Set!
Art Zealous: Tell us a bit about yourself! When did you know you were an artist, or when did you realize you wanted to be an artist?
Lindsay King: A bit about myself… I am an artist and healer. Libra Sun, Capricorn Moon, Cancer Rising. 1/3 Splenic Manifestor. Taurus NN. Haha… I thought I’d just put “all” that out there. This gives a glimpse through a lens so to speak. The expression of life is of course much bigger than these profiles, but it adds a fun layer/context as I share my voice here.
I currently paint primarily with watercolors and weave energy healing into the paintings themselves.
As a little girl I was always diving deep into all the many creative expressions I could get my hands on. It was a sad day when I couldn’t create/make something in some way. Even though I can look back through time and see that I’ve always been an artist since I was a little girl, I didn’t start calling myself an artist until about 6 years ago. Which is funny since I took fine art in school, had art shows, and painted quite frequently.
It wasn’t until I started to really honor the authentic aspects of who I am, that I started to acknowledge I was an artist. And it was still a soft acknowledgment if I’m totally honest. In fact I so badly wanted to call myself an artist long before I did, but didn’t feel worthy of the “Title”.
I had a similar story with acknowledging that I am an Energy Healer. These two elements, “Artist + Healer” play hand in hand together with the work I do, so it goes without no surprise that some self love integration was needed before I myself could use these words to describe what I do.
We are of course, always more than the words we label ourselves. I absolutely love that I get to, and choose to paint and channel Love Energy. So to answer your question… I loved art, creating, painting, and energy work for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until I dove within and lovingly got to really know myself, that I knew I was and wanted to be an artist and healer.
AZ: Tell us more about yourself! Where are you based out of, and what do you love most about it there?
LK: I live in a small town in Eastern Oregon. I came from beautiful Colorado, to visit a college here, and 17 years later I’m still here. I adore the Pacific Northwest. There is so much natural beauty to explore. My husband and I love to take our small little sailboat out on local sails on the Columbia River and in the summer, the San Juan Islands off the Washington coast. We love heading to the Oregon coast as often as we can as well.
Spending time in nature and in particular the water is one of my favorite things about where we live. Where we live in Eastern Oregon is rolling hills and wine country. A different kind of beauty all on its own. The town we live close to (Walla Walla, WA) is quite quaint, with a fairly large handful of artists and makers. I love living in a place where creative energy is around and celebrated.
AZ: What inspires you when you are creating?
LK: Nature, Music, Love Energy, and the fact that I can create inspires me to want to create! Bringing form to what lights up in my third eye, learning, beauty, and exploring inspires me.
AZ: We’d love to know what your day is like. Walk us through what a day in the studio looks like with you!
LK: After my morning rituals/routines I head to the studio about 10 am. I kind of do the less creative studio work first. The backend business stuff. That way when I get to the painting part, I don’t have to cut myself off in order to get the other things done! It’s such a bummer when creative flow is interrupted! So after I get the more structured work done its lots of tea, music, and painting! Oh and the occasional facetime calls with other artist/healer friends. Connecting with my fellow “co-workers” is super supportive/energizing.
AZ: Do you listen to music or podcasts while you are working? What’s on your playlist?
LK: Depends on what I’m doing. Although I LOVE podcast and audio books, I find it’s too hard to really focus and listen to those while I am painting and channeling energy. Music on the other hand is totally different! And although I do listen to a lot of meditative/atmospherical music while I paint, its not always limited to that. I love folk, soul, jazz, contemporary, classical, ambient, indie. Music from the 1940’s, 80’s, 90’s… yea… I just love music! It definitely inspires me.
I Love making playlists on Spotify! And I usually release a new playlist with a painting collection. Currently a lot of ambient music, or soul. Alicia Keys new album, “ALICIA”, has basically been on repeat since it came out a few months ago! I love her music, because I listened to her in high school and she’s still making incredible music that sparks inspiration in my own spirit. Simultaneously nostalgic and current!
AZ: That’s so cool! What are you currently reading or watching?
LK: So many things at once. Reading : “Bringers of the Dawn” by Barbara Marciniak, Alice Hoffman’s newest book, “Magic Lessons”, “The Overstory” by Richard Powers, and “The Soul of an Octopus” by Sy Montgomery.
Watching: Schitt’s Creek. I was a little late to this one, and it took me a min to get into it… and now I’m so in love! Such a brilliant funny show. Also watching Super Store. So hilarious! I’ve really been gravitating towards comedy this last year, as laughter is such good medicine for the soul.
AZ: We’re all a little more isolated than usually these days… How are you staying connected with other artists?
LK: I have several friends that are artists, which helps a lot! Currently lots of phone chats or FaceTime. Outside of that, I love supporting and talking with other artist on IG!
AZ: What’s something on the horizon that you’re excited about? A new series, offering, collaboration…
LK: I have a new Collection coming out very soon in the next month! Its a small collection in devotion to loving on/supporting the Heart Center.
I really love collaborations, and have some coming up as well. I am collaborating with Sivana Spa on a subscription box all around self love and care. Other collaborations are in process but I can’t share quite yet!
AZ: Can’t wait to check that out! What’s something from your art career that you’re most proud of, to date?
LK: Honestly choosing to really pursue my art career is something I’m really proud of! Choosing to believe in myself and my own intuition, is a brave act I will always be proud of! I also love the collaboration I did with Energy Healer Valeria Mya, painting and channeling Love Energy for a guidance card deck. I’m also proud I chose to start doing painting/intuitive sessions (Soul Essence Paintings) because this offering took a lot of courage to start, and it’s probably been one of the most soul rewarding and meaningful.
AZ: And lastly… What do you want people to feel or think about when they see your work?
LK: The beauty of their own divine love reflected back. I want the visual to bring them peace, as they remember their own divine cell memory within.
Follow Lindsay King on Instagram to keep up with her latest art and energy work.
