Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Linsa N. Morales. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Linsa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Chiquita Pots started during the pandemic. Life changed fast, and in that time I feel that everyone started to get the best out of each other to survive that confinement. Each person began to develop abilities they didn’t know they had. That’s how it all started.

I decided to start painting pots as a hobby, where I could distract myself, create and do something fun. The intention was to take these pots to elderly people close to me, who due to the pandemic I could not visit. It was a way of letting them know that I thought of them, that I loved them, and in the process brighten their day with a piece painted by me.

Since I was a child I have liked painting, but never learned it professionally, so it never crossed my mind that this would become a business. People really liked what they saw, so they started ordering personalized pots from me, and that’s how Chiquita Pots began.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

My name is Linsa Morales and I am 32 years old. I have always liked to learn new things and every opportunity I get I make the most of it. I mainly dedicated myself to the field of beauty and makeup and when the pandemic started, all that came to a stop. One way to continue creating with my hands was painting. Make-up is an art where you have to use your creativity to the fullest, I saw this opportunity as a way to continue creating and using my creativity in a slightly different way.

At Chiquita Pots what we do is paint terracotta pots by hand. We make custom designs for all tastes. We also do seasonal collections. The idea is that your pots look beautiful, and can be a decorative accessory in your home. There are many ways that pots can be used, you just have to be creative.

We work sizes from 3.5″ to 10″. All designs are freehand painted. They are painted from scratch. I think I distinguish myself by the details. I like to give different details to each pot so that each one bears my stamp. When it all started, I never imagined that I would have so much support and that my work would be so popular. From doing it as a hobby it turned into a part time business, for which I am very grateful.

You can see more of my work on instagram @chiquitapots

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2020 I had a very traumatic car accident. After that I started having health problems that I am still dealing with. I started having post-traumatic anxiety and panic attacks. That prevented me from being able to rest properly. I spent months sleeping very little or a few hours during the day but not at night (since my anxiety attacks usually arose at night). I needed to fill my time on those long nights so I began to realize that those nights were when I was most creative. Some of the best pots I painted during those long nights. I remember a long night, where I painted 3 pots and finished at 5 in the morning. This not only became a business, but it was a therapy for me in the hardest times during that year. In the recovery process I was diagnosed with a condition that affects my muscles, my movements and other things. Many times the inflammation and pain do not allow me to paint, even so, I wait until I feel better so I can continue doing what I like. It has been a long process, but I always make the best of it all. And I am very grateful to God for giving me so many new opportunities.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Witnessing the reaction of people when receiving their custom pots. Nothing is as rewarding as seeing customers happy and knowing that every hour you spent creating was worth it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @chiquitapots

Image Credits
Photos by: Linsa Morales Photos by: Ricardo Estevez