Jen Jovan Art Musings and Random Thoughts

A Call to Action

4/4/2020

"A Call to Action" - mixed media on wood panel, 24" x 18". Available here and at Artfinder.

Who you are is defined by what you're willing to struggle for . MARK MANSON, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck

There are SO MANY paintings going on simultaneously in the studio. This is what happens when the world conspires to keep me focused on art. A small silver lining in the chaos that is the Eggplant that Ate Chicago (the plague). This beauty wanted to be painted amongst a bevy of abstracts. Who am I to refuse her?

And, of course, the universe gave me an interesting chapter in the Manson book to accompany her creation. The chapter, called Happiness is a Problem, proposes the question we should be asking ourselves is not what do you want but instead what are you willing to struggle for? He clarifies: What is the pain that you want to sustain? The path to happiness is a path full of shit-heaps and shame.

A Call to Action

Let's follow the logic....you might want to be a MotoGP racer, for example (yes, I am obsessed with this sport - thanks to Brian). But once you're out there on the track, going 200 mph with nothing but a leather jacket between you and the gravel, you decide maybe it just isn't worth the pain (abrasions, broken bones, concussions, fiery death) and so you say "meh" and pursue another dream. Which means you really didn't want to be a MotoGP racer in the first place, perhaps.

Manson's point is a good one - the thing that will really make us happy is the one we're willing to go through hell to get to.

While we're contemplating that, let's scrape the ground with body parts while we zoom around corners at speeds too fast to be reasonable...

About the painting: beginning with a grayscale underpainting in gesso and a basic drawing in Posca paint pens, followed by many layers of acrylic, acrylic mixed with gesso and water-based inks liberally spritzed and toweled and scraped. Finished with oil pastel highlights. The title, also from the book, is taken from this quote: "...negative emotions are a call to action. When you feel them, it's because you are supposed to do something."

7 Comments

Dorothy Seiter link

4/6/2020 12:47:13 pm

jen, entranced by your having created a distinct impression of eyes behind that strip-of-cloth mask. wow.

also struck by masked eyes instead of masked mouth and nose.

jen

4/6/2020 01:38:38 pm

Dotty! Thank you....I like this one (which you know, as an artist, doesn't always happen!) - she is choosing what she wants to see during a time of chaos, I think. She is also safely sheltering in place (for now) so can breathe freely. ha ha!

Carl link

4/6/2020 01:02:56 pm

Stunning work and such a simple concept I never thought of. We all want stuff but what is getting that thing or learning that new skill worth to you. Your time? Your money your peace of mind. I love it.

4/6/2020 01:41:28 pm

Carl! Right? This book is a big catalyst for changing the way we think. I think artists kind of already embrace this particular way of thinking when we choose to create for a living?

Carl Stoveland

4/6/2020 01:49:47 pm

Very true. We already think in those terms whether we realize it or not. I'm going to see if this is an audio book and use some of my monthly audible credits to get it and listen while I work.

Carol Edan link

4/10/2020 03:09:02 am

Keeping a positive outlook in this madness around us is SO important. Looking inward and asking the important questions. What is important and what not, learning to appreciate what we have and not what we don't. Thank you!

4/10/2020 08:17:56 pm

Carol! The questions are so important...and the best answers to maintain that positivity!

A Call to Action

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