Welcome to the blogspace!

Click on the post title to view and to leave comments. Thank you!

Published on

Be A Compass

"Be a Compass" - acrylic on aluminum panel, 10" x 12".  Available here and at Artfinder.


We are moving in wider circles
We are opening our circle
We are moving in wider circles
We are opening our circles

Oh be a compass
I'll be your lighthouse
Speak your words with triumph
And I will watch your mouth

I'll march with you my sister
To your place of fearing
We'll dive into those waters
Swim into the clearing

from "Wider Circles" by Rising Appalachia 
After more than a year of narrowing our circles to the smallest possible sphere, we are beginning to move in wider circles.  Not me, yet.  But the world around me - restaurants, shops, people.  Wider circles.  And soon, me, too.   

What grabs me about this song, these lyrics, is the idea of being beside someone through fear.   The concept of compass and lighthouse.  And haven't we, dear reader, marched together through this past year?  So many of you have been (and are and are becoming and will become) my lighthouse.  And if I'm lucky, I'll be a compass for someone, too.  (Disclaimer!  I can't use an actual  compass yet, but I will learn!).   The darkness is passing; the clearing is coming.  We are opening our circles.
About the art:  if you've ever painted on aluminum panel, you already know.  It's lovely and fickle all at the same time.  So fun to build layers, but so easy to lose everything if you don't make sure the layers are very dry before taking the next step.  

Tools used in this piece include brush, wedge, chopstick, wooden pick,  paper towel, hands and fingers.


So here is an entire painting, start to finish, on aluminum panel.  And the beauty is, in the final strokes, you can carve through the paint, exposing the aluminum shine and adding an unexpected texture to a piece.  Ready?  Set?  ALUMINUM!
8 Comments
Carl Stoveland - 5 years ago
That song is perfect for these early days of re-entering a larger group of people.
Aluminum! You made it look simple but man that's got to be a high wire act. Wonderful job on the painting and I love watching it come alive in time lapse!
jen - 5 years ago
Carl! Thank you, friend! I am delighted the video made it look simple. Ha ha! I do LOVE the aluminum - and it (sometimes) loves me back. :)
Sylvia Larkin - 5 years ago
Beautiful song.Love the video of your creation and that you can expose the aluminum towards the end
jen - 5 years ago
Sylvia! Thank you! I am a big fan of Rising Appalachia's music. And the aluminum is a bit magical, which you KNOW I love!
Dotty Seiter - 5 years ago
Lola, I could sit and watch you paint forever.

Oh.
I think I just did.
jen - 5 years ago
Dotty! haaaaaaaaaaaaa you made me smile! xoxoxoxo
Carolyn - 5 years ago
WOW!!! This is totally amazing! I just love watching you work and the song is phenomenal! As stated above, you make this look so easy!!!
jen - 5 years ago
Carolyn! Thank you, lovely friend. I am so glad you enjoy the videos! And maybe everything looks easy when viewed at warp speed? haha!

Author

Lola Jovan

Picture

Learn more about Lola!

Get Mail!

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp