Painting the Cosmos: The Art of Flamgu at Joshua Tree Music Festival

How would you define a successful music festival? Most music festival founders, organizers, and promoters would use big names, ticket sales, and revenue as the ultimate measuring stick of success. Joshua Tree Music Festival (JTMF) is the antithesis of most high priced, heavily marketed music festivals. JTMF founder and organizer, Barnett English, is proud to blaze a different path in the music festival world. Proud of his festival’s organic growth sans expensive advertising and marketing. Proud of all of the repeat attendees who bring more and more of their friends to this unique and special event. Proud of the family friendly, global music experience he’s planted and nurtured since the festival’s inception more than 20 years ago. Proud of the stage he’s been able to lend to a litany of tremendously talented up and coming artists and musicians. Proud to be the foremost custodian of an inclusive, welcoming environment that creates interactions that are intimate, connections that are genuine, and shared experiences that are real.

Stated on their website, JTMF’s mission is to foster social interaction on a deep level, creating positive life-changing moments. The May 2025 JTMF did just that, and therefore, was another definitive example of a highly successful music festival.

Besides the amazing variety of music, one of the highlights of the JTMF is being given a front row seat to witness incredible live paintings, being created right before your very eyes by amazingly talented artists. In the vein of deeper level connections, Joshua Tree Voice will be interviewing and featuring some of the participating artists of the JTMF.

One of the standout artists that I met and connected with, was the artist Flamgu. Flamgu, as a created name, is meant to embody the essence that ignites every atom and creates the cosmos, energy, love, and life. It is the taken name of the artistic visionary and East Tennessee native, Lindsey Orrin. I had the pleasure of interviewing her. (Edited for brevity)

JTV: How old were you, when you decided that art was something that you wanted to pursue?

FLAMGU: I’ve enjoyed art since I can remember. All of my first memories have to do with painting, drawing or crafting. While attending school, I continued drawing and taking art classes on into high school… where I unexpectedly won an important award that made me think, maybe I could actually make this work.

JTV: Were there any negative voices either from outside or within that you had to battle against?

FLAMGU: I wanted to pursue art but was constantly wrestling with the idea that I needed to pursue a career field where I could make a viable living. As I continued into college, I studied biology while still taking art classes to see if I could merge the fields and become a scientific illustrator. One summer I found myself working in an insect lab doing just that and realized I would be pretty unhappy making art like this. I wanted to be free and expressing the voice within me that wanted to come out. Studying science in college was a major factor in my decision to follow my dream of becoming an artist. Learning about the mechanics of reality – atoms, vibrations, intentions – I realized that science was proof that we live in the reality we create. I realized I only had one life to live and that I needed to be an artist.

Following my heart has always been a major part of my life and art. I hope that in both my art and the art of life I live, I inspire others to follow theirs.

JTV: What are some of the biggest challenges and blessings of being an artist?

FLAMGU: The biggest challenge of being an artist is about letting go of fear… but I think that’s life for everyone. As an artist, our job is to trust and be a mirror for everyone else. It’s a beautiful thing, but you gotta let go of trying to control situations and let them unfold… It’s important to have boundaries… and I’m always checking in with my inner body and asking how I feel. I’ve learned to go where appreciated. This is another challenge as an artist, there’s never a clear path. You’ve got to forge your own, and that should look different for everyone. There’s no model to success and we learn what true success really means to us. A major blessing about being an artist, is how much I get to be a student of life and how much I learn about myself and the world around.

JTV: What are some of your favorite sources of inspiration?

FLAMGU: My favorite sources of inspiration are my experiences in life, the people I meet, the places I see, the conversations that carry me through. I feel like there’s so many beautiful messages always being whispered to us and the key is to tune in and listen. My life is full of secret messages I feel like I get to decode. My dreams always play an important part in my inspiration, for it’s another channel talking to me from within. I just love life and laughter.

In college, I only created representationally, until I did a project on abstract expressionist, Roberto Matta. Before learning about the why’s behind his art, I didn’t understand it, but in learning about his process, it made me respect abstract and want to try it for myself. To create art that was strictly from imagination felt like a fun challenge that I wanted to master. I knew if this is something I could learn, I could become much more of a master of my mind. Although awkward at first, the imagination is a mental muscle that I’ve learned to develop. I feel like it’s taught me a great deal about flow and being disciplined in my mind. I always find inspiration in nature, just being in it regulates my nervous system and brings me to a state where I can really listen to whispers of what I should create.

JTV: How would you personally describe your style of art/how would you like to be known or perceived by others?

FLAMGU: A lot of people would consider me a visionary artist and yes, I agree to an extent. I create art that is beyond the mundane, but I feel like most art is like this these days. I don’t really like grouping my art into a style because it is diverse. Some is totally abstract and feeling oriented. Some is very conceptual and meant to render specific ideas.

JTV: What are some things that you are excited about going forward?

FLAMGU: I’m excited about all of it moving forward. I’m currently totally nomadic with my box truck Sheila. I’ve been on and off a nomad, which is a big part of my journey as an artist. I learn so much from being on the road and putting in ‘work’ in such a different way as compared to when I’m stationary in a studio. Everything having a place vs not; I feel like my art and mental space always gets better with each step. The variation and contrast in my life really propels me forward and gives me an immense sense of gratitude. I’m excited to work more with different types of artists creating ideas that are much larger than one person. I’m excited to have a studio again in the future to create the big pieces I’ve always dreamed of painting. But for now, I’m very happy with where I’m at and learning how I can create art that is more service based rather than the product of art.

JTV: Do you have any pieces that are extra special to you and why?

FLAMGU: “Integrating” is a favorite because it was my first attempt to create abstract art right after I learned about Roberto Matta.

One of my favorite paintings I’ve made is called “Vishuddha’s Coalescence” because the journey I had to go through to create this and how it flowed out so naturally when it was finally time. It’s all about truth.

I like the pieces that flow out of me like a force just came into me and created it for me… so personally, I like these very loose and expressive pieces called “Atomic Force.”

“Cycles of Evolution” is probably the favorite piece I’ve made according to the public. It’s something we can all relate to and feel.

JTV: How would you describe creating live and sharing your work at the Joshua Tree Music Festival (JTMF)?

FLAMGU: This was my first time at JTMF, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The music was dynamic and inspiring fuel for the live painting. It was upbeat and wholesome in both the music and the people. All these factors really contribute to the enjoyment of live painting. The area has always been inspiring to me, and I feel electric in the high desert. I think most people (especially those at the festival) can agree. I’d love to be back. It was one of my favorite festivals I’ve been to.

More information can be found about this amazing artist at flamgu.com