Jen Jovan Art Musings and Random Thoughts

We Went Left Instead of Right

9/27/2018

"We Went Left Instead of Right" - mixed media on 300 lb watercolor paper, 22" x 15". Ready to frame. Available here and at Artfinder.

How about some free play in the studio? For this piece, I put down thick gesso over an old painting, then carved through it with a chopstick. Once dry, I turned the paper repeatedly, examining the lines and looking for shapes. There! A foot! There! A moon! A bird! An antlered beast! The more I look at this, the more I am drawn into the painting, There are STORIES in here! It's a little like fall down the rabbit hole. You can bet I will try this again. An EXTRAORDINARY amount of fun.

And even more fun - a weekend in Sarasota at the Florida Watercolor Society Annual Convention! Just what was needed to infuse me with some much needed art tribe bonding time, inspirational art ogling and an absolutely mouth-watering display of art supplies and tools at the trade show. Brushes! Paints! Inks! Papers! Boards! Grounds! Oh my. Someone wipe the drool off of my face already! Ok, ok. Yes, a lot of it ended up in the car to go home with me. This is what happens when an artist is kept in the house too long.

One of the highlights of the weekend was a room full of wild creatives learning how to swashbuckle their way into the world of social media and tell their stories. They didn't mind at all when I donned a blue tutu and dared them to play Mad Libs as a storytelling prompt. These artists are GOING PLACES! What did they learn that you might be interested in? Here are a few juicy links:

hastagify - learn what hashtags work best with whatever you are doing on social media

linktree - add links to your Instagram bio page

IFTTT - add recipes to your life! Not just for artists. There is a little applet for just about everything!

But now the ball is over. Cinderella is putting her tutu back into the closet and pulling out the ice packs for a much needed week of rest and healing. And perhaps opening a few of those new art supplies to see what magic can be made...

(thanks to new art friend Carolyn M. for this fluffy photo!)

6 Comments

Carol Edan link

10/1/2018 08:48:35 am

Having so much fun with this! Making up my own little stories, playing around! Love that flying girl over the blackboard! Your inner child must have made you exhausted!

jen

10/1/2018 10:00:40 am

Oh Carol, this was glorious freedom! Holy mackerel! I will be doing this again. Unfettered joy.

Dotty Seiter link

10/1/2018 09:23:52 am

Jen, this painting jumped right off the 'page' before I even saw it in its entirety! It is FILLED with magic and story! Your process fascinates me.

Tie a donkey tail around your finger to remember to snap a photo when you're at the just-finished-carving-through-with-a-chopstick stage the next time you follow this process. OR ELSE.

Thanks for the links. I am FORCING myself not to get sidetracked until later in the day : )

10/1/2018 10:02:08 am

Dotty! YAY! I was going for IMPACT with this one, so it seems I've done it! WOOT!

Ok, donkey tail tied to snap a pic for the chopstick stage. I do NOT want to know what the "or else" means! ha ha!

The links are super helpful...whenever you deserve a little break, take a peek!

Carl Stoveland

10/1/2018 10:25:43 am

Jun such an amazing way to start a painting by find patterns in the chaos. It's like the kids game of seeing shapes in the clouds! I'll have to try it. Sounds like the convention was a smashing success. I must remember to join soon and plan on attending. I need something to help me put painting back on the top of my artistic to do list.

10/1/2018 10:34:57 am

It is JUST like cloud animals, Carl! Takes all the stress out of figuring out what to paint, too! You would fit right in at FWS, Carl. It is just once a year, so no monthly meetings to worry about. :)

We Went Left Instead of Right

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