Lola Jovan Art Musings and Random Thoughts

Do The Thing

6/23/2025

Do The Thing

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Do The Thing
pen and ink on Yupo
8 x 10 inches
This item is unmounted and unframed
(click on the image to purchase)

It’s impossible to be a life-changing presence to some without being a total joke to others. Criticism is proportional to impact.

People will criticize you for your successes. They will criticize you for your failures. They will criticize you for acting. They will criticize you for not acting.

F*ck the haters. Do the thing. - MARK MANSON

It has been brought to my attention that a number of you creatives are feeling stymied by the situation in the world. That perhaps your inner critic and naysayer, that finger-wagging shame-ball lobber is telling you not to create. The inner voice is being a hater, sending you down the toboggan chute of procrastination and inaction.

Well, I have a message (and a permission slip) for YOU!

(If you have trouble with the video, here is the link to it on YouTube)

Here's a little something to fire up your creativity!

The AI bot recently launched the ability to take your art and animate it. Whoa! So the first piece into the animation incubator was Frank-on-skates. I think the bot did a great job of bringing him to life.

Can you see me rubbing my hands together with glee? Oh oh OH! The possibilities!

About the art: I like to work pen and ink drawings into the mix while layers on oil paintings are drying. This keeps my hands busy so I don't succumb to the temptation to fuss with the oil paint while it is still damp - it's a real problem, I tell ya! So this week I wanted to create a piece inspired by attending the NO KINGS protest here in Portland, along with the general sense of frustration and anxiety going on all around. I'd really like to have this woman's outfit and boots.

9 Comments

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Lola Jovan

Dorothy H Seiter

6/22/2025 07:23:45 pm

Have to say I'm grinning hugely as I envision your glee at having AI willing to animate your art, Lola!!!

WoW! Do The Thing is fierce and strong, not waiting for any danged permission, that one! Ironically, a few weeks ago I actually recommitted to a decidedly more active creative life, as I think you know as one of my chief cheerleaders, and I did so precisely BECAUSE of world conditions and circumstances. Best antidote going, I tell ya!

LOVE your fierce strong command of pen and ink. Knocks my socks off!

lola

6/23/2025 03:31:51 pm

Dotty!!!! omg thanks for grinning with my GLEE! Woot!

And you are so wise to commit to more active creating as a response to everything! YES! Antidote! Love that description!

Thanks for loving my pen and ink! It is really cool coming back to it so many years later and seeing what the muse has waiting. xoxo

Carol Edan link

6/23/2025 11:00:17 am

First thanks for the permission and the push. Past 2 days I have been in a zombi state. Do have good reason...but I shouldn't use it as an excuse. Early morning 3:10 -3-23 and again this morning 10:20 - 11:02
Off to do my Instagram scribble! Love her stamina!

6/23/2025 03:33:08 pm

Carol!!! Dear lady, you are in my thoughts more than ever. The world is a jumble right now, especially where you are. I so enjoy seeing your numbered posts on Instagram. What a fabulous way to mark the days of all this mess with something creative and spirited. YOU ROCK! xoxoxo

Carl Stoveland

6/23/2025 12:12:29 pm

I wandered over for my weekly dose of inspiration and Magic! Thanks Lola your blog is part of my Monday morning creative ritual. F the Haters and Do the Thing! Something we all need to hear from time to time. I love this week’s artwork. I do a similar thing when working in watercolor I work on several at a time it helps me not fuss with one while it dries by working on a second. I also think when I return to the first one I have fresh eyes for it. This summer I find myself thinking a lot about my art and its role in my world. I think it’s time to get my thoughts out there again on a weekly basis. So you might see my blog make a comeback. It would another great thing to work on rather than watching tv at night. This weeks art is another great drawing. I do need to try ink on Yupo it sounds like slippery fun.

Carl

6/23/2025 03:34:10 pm

Carl!!! HOOOOORAAAAAAY! Blog blog blog! I am cheering you on! And yes to working on multiple pieces. It is a good way to avoid fussiness or preciousness. And please do try the Yupo with the ink - I cannot wait to see what emerges!!! xoxoxo

6/23/2025 05:31:31 pm

I’ll definitely try the yupo! For the blog I’ll start with a saved note on my phone for Everytime I get inspired for a topic. They run across my mind a few times a day as I am teaching and painting and watching videos or even when I’m walking Mom’s dog Snoopy.

Julie

6/23/2025 09:52:38 pm

"F*ck the haters. Do the thing. - MARK MANSON"

Oof, Lola - did I need to hear this! Yeah, there are *those* who are well-practised in the low pseudo-art of goal-post moving. They will issue criticisms regardless of what one does. Speaks more to their character (or lack thereof) than it does to ours, eh!

Imma keep doing My Thing (and I reserve the right to do whatever Thing I may put my mind to)...so there, haters! Nyah!

Oh, and her kick-ass boots? WANT. : )

As always - great work, my friend xx

6/24/2025 03:09:56 pm

Julie!!!! Hello, mighty one! I am so delighted this message hit you right where it needed to. Do whatever THING! YES! And the boots....for dang sure. Let's invent some!

And thank you so very much. :) xoxoxo

Do The Thing

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