Laina Miller design studio

Right after remediating what was salvageable from my home, while I was in a strange, homeless transition point in the recovery process after the Eaton Fire — I had the privilege of leaving a lasting mark in my beloved Altadena.

My dear friend asked if I’d consider painting alongside for a mural at Loma Alta Park. I said yes, knowing my future self would be happy I did so.

It was an incredibly difficult process. I put pressure on myself to come up with a concept that authentically represented my love for this town. I scrolled through years of old photos looking for inspiration and sobbed on the floor of my friends apartment, realizing that the images I’d captured on my evening neighborhood walks, strolls as a new mother, and hikes up Echo Mountain were now part of a time capsule. Places we can’t reference and return to when Poppy is an adult. A way of life that now lives only as memory.

The emotional pain was real. I considered dropping out of the mural multiple times. But, deep down I knew that this experience of engaging in art would be essential in my healing journey… something I help others find inside themselves through my work. So I took a page from my own book of wisdom and saw it through.

The experience was peaceful and grounding. At times, it truly felt like my higher self took on the act of designing & painting, while my body just relaxed and enjoyed the tactile quality of the paint on my brush.

I’m honored to have painted alongside multiple other gifted artists. And I’m so grateful to have friends in Lisa & Victor who believe in my artistic ability… and who maybe even knew that deep down, painting this mural was exactly what I needed.

Even though I chose not to move back to Altadena, I find solace knowing my art will always be on that wall. Lately, our life there seems like it was all just a dream. But I’m so glad I have my art to come back to and when it feels right, I can proudly show Poppy.

I left so much on that wall.
My heart will always live in Altadena.

Scroll to the end for my original inspo. 🌱