So what have I learned during the last thirty days? Firstly, people are amazing. Really! So supportive and encouraging, it is like having personal cheerleaders. Family, friends, collectors and new acquaintances all provided daily feedback and cheering. Their positivity fed my energy and made the whole challenge a delight! Secondly, I learned I am at my best creatively when I spend time on it every day. The inner critic disappears and a crowd of enthusiastic playmates show up to provide endless ideas and energy. My own brain can be a pretty amazing place when I am at one with the studio, which requires daily attendance. I also learned I love the structure of a challenge like this one. Daily creating, finishing a project, taking photos, blogging and hitting social media sites, wrapping and shipping the sold pieces - it all feels like a well-oiled machine when I do it every day. Structure is good for me and for my creativity. One of the greatest "ahas" from this challenge is the positive impact of group creativity. Doing this with over 900 other artists around the world (including some FANTASTIC artists in Charlotte NC!) makes the art of creating a little less solitary and a little more like a huge slumber party. More fun, more laughter and more pushing the limits of what we can do. What happens next? Well, as with the last time I completed this challenge in January, I will continue to paint every day, but will post and blog just weekly. I've got a couple of exciting events coming up to get ready for - ARTNADO in West Palm Beach in November, and a trip to Charlotte next month to teach a class at Ciel Gallery. Then the holidays...and then guess what? 30 in 30 returns in January! Hooray! Follow me on twitter twitter.com/jenjovanwalls and instagram instagram.com/jenjovanwalls select pieces of original art and reproductions available www.etsy.com/shop/imajenation or view my art in person at Ciel Gallery in Charlotte, NC.
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 "Walking Under Eggshells" - mixed media on aquabord, 6" x 6"
On this penultimate day, I decided to experiment with new materials. Have you ever fallen down the rabbit hole of YouTube? When it comes to art videos, I can be lost for hours hopping from one concept to the next. This time I fell into the videos using eggshells for texture in paintings. So all week long I've had everyone saving their eggshells for me so I could clean them and use them in this art project. My family no longer thinks I am nuts. They just collect what I request and don't ask questions. A perfect arrangement. The shell of this cantankerous turtle is made from eggshells and layers of paints and inks. Messy but fun! My brain is running around with all kinds of ideas utilizing eggshells now. Many of my amazing art compadres are turtle aficionados, so I thought it an appropriate tribute to their passion to make this guy. But of course it got me wondering....what does the turtle mean? Native American tradition holds the turtle as the oldest symbol for earth, goddess energy and the eternal Mother. The turtle spirit asks people to be thoughtful of the cycle of life, giving and taking, replenishing the earth as we use her resources for our benefit. If the turtle is your totem animal, you have internal protection from negative emotions, your own and those of others. If a turtle appears to you, you are told to honor your creative source and be grounded to the earth. You are asked to be kind and motherly toward yourself (speaking kindly to yourself is a great start!) Turtle people take time to develop their thoughts before speaking them (oh man how I wish I had a turtle totem!) and can stick to their own path with determination. They are not easily pushed to go faster than they are comfortable, but will doggedly achieve their goals. Call on the turtle spirit when you want to be more grounded and in touch with the earth. This is the perfect message during this early fall, with a full moon in the sky, cooling temperatures and summer vacations behind us. Slowing down, getting in touch with ourselves and Mother earth. Thank you, turtle spirit! This piece is available, unframed. Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com  "Butterfly Princess" - mixed media on aquabord, 6" x 6"
Today's muse is my cousin's little girl, Ada. She is the perfect example of non-stop imagination and creativity without limitations or that pesky inner critic. I want to be her when I grow up! There isn't anything she can't turn into an over-the-top adventure which would make anyone smile. Recently, she asked my cousin to make her an outfit...it may have been a unicorn princess fish cowgirl astronaut candy cane with a tiara. Or something like that. And guess what? My cousin whipped up the outfit in no time. This got me to wondering. What could we accomplish as grown-ups if we let our imaginations be unfettered and then tried to create whatever it was we imagined? I am guessing a lot of things would be invented that other grown-ups said could not. Part of this 30-day challenge requires the artist to come up with creative ideas every single day. I can tell you what happens first is panic (how can I think of 30 different things that quickly???) and then fear (what if I can't think of 30 things???) and then the inner critic (you might think of 30 things but they will all be dumb ideas anyway!) But throughout the month, once you get in the groove, something miraculous happens. Your inner child pushes her way to the forefront and gives the others a one-two punch. You become wonderfully present. No more fear, panic or negative self-talk. Just endless ideas and energy to pursue them. And it happens without you really knowing it, until you ponder it thanks to a little girl who lives it every day. So today's piece is my own butterfly princess, who can be a princess and have butterfly wings and not have to have waist-length golden tresses and a tiny, pert nose. She can be anything she wants to be, because she doesn't know that she can't. And for this day, I dare you to imagine, if just for a moment, that you are limitless and filled with wild, creative ideas that are AWESOME. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise. This piece is available, unframed. Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com   "Burrowing Owl" - acrylic on aquabord, 6" x 6"
Today's lovely muse is courtesy of our neighborhood park. During an early morning bike ride, we ventured into the park along the waterfront, as the neighbors had recently told us about a couple of protected areas in which there were burrowing owls. Now we fully did not expect to see them, but just thought we'd check out the sites anyway. Much to our surprise, there were little owls perched at the entrance of each of the nesting sites! These little cuties were not phased at all by us, by our bikes or by my phone camera clicking away. They did not move a bit, except to turn their heads and watch us as we rode away. The park is quite a busy one, with tennis, basketball, a playground and walking trails. And yet here are these beautiful creatures and their burrows, smack dab in the middle of the grassy area! It was a treat. So what on earth does the burrowing owl mean? The spirit of this bird symbolizes grounding and earth magic. Much different from the traditional owls, who perch high up and survey the area below. These little owls contain the wisdom of the larger, tree-based owls along with the grounding associated with the earth. Owls in general bring prophecy and magic, darkness and wisdom. The owl tells you to trust your instincts regarding people, as owl energy can see inside where others cannot. If an owl appears to you, you may be asked to withdraw into quiet spaces away from noise and crowds. You are asked to become a silent observer for now. Once you slow down, information and awareness will come to you in abundance! Owls also come to those who need to let go of some part of their life which isn't necessary anymore. Following the spirit of the owl is said to lead to happiness on the other side of fear and darkness. Well! All that from a little feathery cutie-pie who is smaller than my purse. I love these little guys! This piece is available, unframed. Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com  "Frederick Was Too Sad" - mixed media on canvas paper, 9" x 12" In general, I love art which is full of happiness and whimsy, good energy and positivity. And so that's mostly what I create, too! But I learned a little something yesterday. During a conversation about grief, I learned how important it is to sit with your sadness. Now sitting with sadness is not something I do well, nor do I tolerate it well in others. "Move on!" I say, "Get up and DO SOMETHING" is how I feel. Although this is great in many cases (activity and energy can chase away the blues!) sometimes it is just wrong. Your self wants to feel what your self feels. Fully and thoroughly. Then you can move on fully, without dragging it along with you for later. So this is part of the process after a parent dies (my mom passed away about six months ago). We're still sorting through her things. Now part of this is because there are a lot of things! But the biggest part is how hard it is and how sad it makes us. And so it is pushed aside until another day. And then another day. What I learned this week is the greatest gift a family can give each other is to go through all the stuff - clothes, photos, knick-knacks and whatnots, whether alone or together, and through the process help move past the grief and into the next part of life. We were advised to keep a few things we would use, and therefore enjoy my mom's presence as we use them, but mostly to avoid keeping things just for the sake of just preserving them. All the rest we should give away, donate or dispose of. Can we do it? I think so. For today, this piece honors the place of sadness. It reminds me to just sit with the sadness and allow it to be what it is. Even if it has a bird on it. This piece is available, unframed. Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com Follow the 30 in 30 challenge at http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/  "Pop Art Kitty" - mixed media on aquabord, 6" x 6"
This is my first ever cat painting. Now I've painted lions, panthers, cheetahs and other big cats, but never the common house cat. Why is that? Because I am a dog person. This is ironic given I am a Leo (big cat sign, right?) but it is the truth. There are a few exceptions, however. I once had a cat named Jeffrey. He was a big male tabby, tubby and growly. But he acted like a dog. He greeted me at the door, acted excited when I returned, and rolled on his back for me to rub his belly. He followed me from room to room (like a dog) and never acted aloof. My kind of cat! My sister's cat, Green, is another exception. Green lets me rough him up (like a dog) and pet him firmly (like a dog) and will come to me (sometimes). This is also my kind of cat! So what is the meaning behind the common house cat, and what does cat energy bring to people who are drawn to cats (not cat-dogs, but cat-cats)? The cat spirit is a balance between opposites: light and dark, action and rest, socializing and being alone. People with cat energy demonstrate great patience, a deep and satisfying relationship with their own inner workings and an innate sense of curiosity. If a cat shows up in your life as a spirit guide, you may be asked to explore aspects of yourself or your life which you have not looked at closely before. People with this totem animal have the ability to time actions perfectly, waiting until just the right moment and then acting without hesitation. If you are called to the cat, you are balancing fierce independence with the desire to socialize and seek affection from others. People with cat energy are often considered to be psychic and highly creative, and they exude a sense of mystery. They are self-directed and not impacted by peer pressure to conform. If you are a cat person, does this resonate with you? This piece is available, unframed. Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com Follow the 30 in 30 challenge at http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/  "Coyote Moon" - mixed media on aquabord, 6" x 6"
Can it be there are only six more days in this challenge? I am already sad! The energy required for this month is huge, but the creative payoff is worth every minute. And it makes me want to keep going and going. Today's piece is inspired by the super harvest moon lunar eclipse coming this Sunday. There will be a total lunar eclipse and it will be the closest and largest full moon of the year. Of course there is meaning and symbolism associated with this particular moon...relationships - redefining them and our place within them. The full lunar eclipse represents closure, endings or perhaps a new level to a continuing relationship. The universe will speak loudly now. Any uncertainties will be brought to light, and decisions may have to be made. Boundaries will play an important role in this eclipse. So the coyote has placed himself in this piece with the full moon. How do these relate? If they coyote comes into your life, you are being asked to look at something you've been avoiding. Coyotes are powerful teachers with respect to relationships, because there is where we usually fool ourselves. The coyote spirit will hold up the mirror for you to see the truth, over and over again until you get it. It seems the coyote and the moon belong perfectly together in this piece, and bring a wisdom which will come to light on Sunday. Hanging on to my hat...it sounds like a big message is on the way! This piece is available, unframed. Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com  "Number Eight Heron" - mixed media on cradled aquabord, 16" x 20"
Today's muse posed beautifully on a branch trailing in the lake behind our home, which is always filled with waterfowl, turtles and brightly colored fish (including some leaping fish which make a loud "KERSPLASH" several times a day). This handsome gentleman gave me a chance to return to my first love, watercolor, and then my second love (mixed media) all on the same board. The number eight is my "life path" number in numerology. When I first found out this was my number, I was a bit sad! Eight is the number of the "executive", a workaholic and driven individual who values success and financial security. Eight people aren't materialistic, but they do need a good sized savings account to feel okay. Number eights tend to say what they're thinking (oh yeah!) and are rule followers. So far, not a very exciting number to be born with, right? But eights tend to be big successes in whatever they do, and are late bloomers! No matter how old they are, they can achieve their goals, find new careers or passions and outshine their younger counterparts. Eight has a dual nature (top and bottom circles), and can be the symbol of both generation and degeneration. Turn it sideways and you have infinity. So number eight people have the ability to recognize a big decision gone bad, and make a complete reversal mid-way. Now this number decided to insert itself on my piece of art today. So it made me wonder, what does the heron mean, and are these two things harmonious in any way? The heron symbolizes self-determination and self-reliance. They have the ability to follow their own path, complete a variety of tasks at one time, or to find another way to accomplish something if the first way doesn't work. The heron has innate wisdom, and does not need others to point the way. Herons can be aggressive in getting what they want, and don't let anything stop them. Herons are comfortable in all three elements - air, water, earth, and are comfortable with transitions, being neither here nor there, and are content to be solitary. It seems to me both this self-reliant bird and the success-oriented number eight belong together on this piece. An interesting synchronicity which has me completely delighted! Life (and art) are full of wonderful surprises. This piece is available, ready for hanging. Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com  "Sacred Path" - acrylic on aquabord, 6" x 6"
On day 22, I return to my cowboy obsession, with a powerful animal totem from the wide open prairie. In this case, my inspiration was not The Gunslinger novel (which I am still reading and delighting in) but from the Netflix series, "Longmire", which fits so nicely with Cowboy September (my new name for this month) and provided my muse for today. This is not the first bison I've been drawn to. They return to me again and again, much like crows. Buffalo (bison) medicine in Native American traditions is especially strong. If you are drawn to the bison, you may be asked to use your energy in prayer, or to be an instrument to answer the prayers of someone else. The bison asked you to recognize the sacredness of each person's path; to honor other's choices even if they bring you sadness. Buffalo spirit asks you to recognize and revere the meaning of life and value of peace. It can bring calm in the midst of chaos if you ask for guidance. If a bison appears to you, it is a sign that your success is dependent upon the Great Spirit, and you must be humble and ask for help, then be thankful for what appears. (Buffalo medicine wisdom from Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams and David Carson) This animal appearing to me today in spirit (not in person! Though I would love to see a bison roaming down our neighborhood streets!) is perfectly timed. I am not one to ask for help with anything, in general, and the bison is telling me to do so. The wisdom of honoring the paths of others, though different from our own, is the ideal message for a parent of young adults, or the caretaker of an aging elder, or for the friend of extraordinary people. I am grateful for buffalo medicine today. This piece is available, unframed. Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com Follow the 30 in 30 challenge at http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/  "If I Were a Rich Girl" - acrylic on canvas paper, 9" x 12"
I woke up this morning without a clue about what to paint today. Feeling rather dreamy and scatter-brained, I lazily surfed the web over a cup of tea, aimlessly wandering...and there it was! A Facebook post by an artist friend with a photo of a beach (in Hawaii, I believe?) with mountains in the background and beautiful clouds. It made me feel even more dreamy (yes, I live near the beach already. But beach AND mountains? No way!) and so I decided to paint it. So what happened after I was finished with this piece? I spent the day with my head in the clouds. Cloud-watching and gawking as I was driving down the road, cloud dreaming in my back yard, cloud gazing in the parking lot of the Home Depot. Fascinated by puffy whites and grays and blues, I have spent this day with my eyes pointed up and my mind relaxed and blissful. Apparently, this is what happens when you spend time with the beach and the mountains, even if it is only a photo or a painting. It got me to wondering...what would life be like if I actually lived at a beach near the mountains? Would I lose all productivity and purpose? Would I become a beach bum and give up cleaning the house and cooking? Would I learn to surf? Would I learn to embrace sand in my clothes and salt-spray hair? My mind began to fret over all the things I probably wouldn't get done. ARGH! After a moment, I decided I do want to live in this halcyon place, but only if I am very wealthy. That way someone else can take care of the things that need to be done while I wander the beach dreaming and painting and perhaps even surfing. After several weeks of ridiculous scheduling, stress and busy-ness, it was a lovely respite to spend the day being dreamy and cloud obsessed. But looking around, I can see that no one started dinner or folded that load of clothes. This is me getting my head out of the clouds and back onto the earth, for now anyway. This piece is available, unframed. Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com Follow the 30 in 30 challenge at http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/ |
AuthorLola Jovan 
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