LolaJovan.com
  • Home
  • ART
  • BLOG
  • Exhibits
    • The Downside of Lycanthropy
    • A Song for the Hunted
    • The Wild God
    • NUDGE - SHOVE
  • BOOKS

Currents of Life

1/29/2019

4 Comments

 
"Currents of Life" - acrylic on paper,  14" x 16''.  Unframed.  Available here and at Artfinder.


​​In our efforts to make it from day to day, every one of us will catch a wave and fail to catch a wave, and everyone will have a wave crash over them.  And each of us will have to find our way back to shore, where we will try to make sense of both the lift and the crash, and how to go on from there.  - MARK NEPO

Returning to the wisdom of Mark Nepo this week, where he asks us to compare ourselves to paddling surfers, trying to catch a wave.  I am NOT a surfer, but like to think I can mentally do anything, even that.  So cowabunga, let's paddle out there, dear reader!

2018 was a huge wave crash for me.  And I think I lay dizzy on the shore for a long, long time.
Picture
Currents of Life
It is both comforting and funny how many people I bumped into in that sandy heap on the shore.  So many stunned surfers in the world. Trying to make sense of things.  A mini crash tribe was formed, and I think each of us became a little less confused when we processed our experiences together.

This wearing away, eroding, shaking up and sifting out - it is a theme oft repeated in my life, and one I hear in the stories shared by others.  We're becoming polished, smooth and silky, like tumbled stones (I had a rock tumbler years ago, and I can tell you, not only do they make a racket, but it takes a LOT of tumbling to make things smooth).  

Maybe this is what it takes to make us both "more resilient and tender" (Nepo again) simultaneously.  

​This piece developed from a gesture during a recent life drawing session.  To me, she depicts perfectly a woman recovering on the shore after a few rows with the currents of life. 

Huge thanks to all the participants in Sunday's storytelling challenge!  Your comments, emails, texts and phone calls were so very welcome.  And your stories are magnificent.  My amazing intern, Fiona, selected a winner from all the entries (thank goodness I didn't have to pick!)  Congratulations, Dana, your story was the winner!  Pongo is preparing your art print for shipping now.
4 Comments
Carolyn
1/30/2019 07:25:51 pm

Yay, congratulations to Dana!

Yep, I can relate to the crashing waves, don't think I have had such crushing moments of the spirit as I had in 2018. Still have not recovered, but working on reconciliation of my spirit and focus. This year will be different, and my usually naivety in trustworthiness and friendships has been changed forever. Onward and forward! Cowabunga, YES!

Reply
jen
1/30/2019 07:40:38 pm

Carolyn!!! 2018 was tough! "Reconciliation of spirt and focus"...oh, that resonates with me. Perhaps we are both sat on that same shore together, trying to make sense of things? Let's paddle back out and catch a wave....COWABUNGA!

Reply
Carol Edan link
2/1/2019 04:07:02 am

Congratulations Dana! Loved your story!
COWABUNGA! Had to look that one up!
Exhausted and tired but in one piece, she will get a fresh wave!
Love the use of the dark blue and orange, keeps the eye moving!

Reply
jen
2/1/2019 11:19:36 am

Carol! So funny, you are a reminder that I should not take for granted words like cowabunga! But I am glad to add that one to your repertoire.

Thanks for your feedback on this piece! She is tired, but you are SO RIGHT, she is still in one piece, and there are waves to come. xo

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Lola Jovan

    Picture

    Get Mail!

    * indicates required
    /* real people should not fill this in and expect good things - do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

    Intuit Mailchimp

    Categories

    All
    An Unexpected Life
    Bones
    Bossy Pants
    Mischief And Malarkey
    Rewilding
    The Art Of Seeing
    The Inner Landscape
    The Weight Of Words

contact lola
Picture
Here's the blue wild, where
tiny dreamers ride beasts, speak
​ birdsong, hold the moon.

(by poet Mary W. Cox)
​


​Art prints available on request
  • Home
  • ART
  • BLOG
  • Exhibits
    • The Downside of Lycanthropy
    • A Song for the Hunted
    • The Wild God
    • NUDGE - SHOVE
  • BOOKS