Lola Jovan Art Musings and Random Thoughts

Pippi's Got A Gun

7/21/2025

Pippi's Got A Gun

LISTEN to the blog by clicking the DOWNLOAD link above

Pippi's Got A Gun
oil on canvas
10 x 30 x .75 inches
This item is unframed but ready to hang.
(click on the image to purchase)

Janie's got a gun
Janie's got a gun
Her dog day's just begun
Now everybody is on the run
- AEROSMITH

Pippi Longstocking has become my poster child for dissent.

Something about her straight-shootin' (pun intended) manner, her refusal to be put down by established ways of doing things and her feisty attitude toward rules and bureaucratic nonsense has her firmly in my pocket of protest.

And it is a good time for women to have strong role models. Women who tell it like it is. Women who say NO. Women who give you that look (you know the one) when the bullshit-o-meter has gone up to ten (or eleven, if you're a fan of Spinal Tap).

The appearance of a gun in this piece surprises me, because I am not a fan of guns in general. It gives Pippi power, maybe. The ability to make folks listen. (I've been listening to her in the studio for weeks, and she has quite a lot to say! ) Perhaps the gun symbolizes the power of voice, of action and of intent. A way of communicaing that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ALREADY.

About the art: For this one, I began with a primed canvas and roughed in the figure and shadows with thinned neutral colored oil paint. Once satisfied with the shapes, I painted the background in thick layers of light neutrals. adding a darker version of the background to the shadows in many thin layers. Then it was all about the figure - many layers with tiny brushes (to get the details right) and resisting RESISTING the urge to perfect. Letting the eyes fill in what isn't specified.

Finally, a layer of varnish over everything once the painting had dried fully. She is powerful company in the studio, let me tell you!

A little more animation fun! This time with music!

The July Reader Giveaway continues! Leave a comment on any blog post this month to be automatically entered to win a free piece of original art. The winner will be announced right here in the blog on August 4th. And thanks so much for your participation!

10 Comments

Author

Lola Jovan

Dotty Seiter

7/20/2025 03:18:48 pm

PIPPI, OMG! You are making a STATEMENT.

And let me tell you THANK YOU>.

There are SOOOO many STATEMENTS that need STATING.

Pippi, get your
Girl
Unleashed
Now!!!

lola

7/20/2025 03:22:46 pm

Dotty!!! Holy fast rabbits, Batman! Hardly had I pressed "publish" on this post and there you were! WOOOOHOOOO! Thank you, friend. Feeling the protest in me (the BOLD STATEMENTS) bubbling up and spilling over.

UNLEASH THE LONGSTOCKING! xoxoxo

Sara Van Horn

7/21/2025 11:07:09 am

I am not a fan of guns either and the sight took me aback. I think that's why it works though. It's unexpected and a level of power you wouldn't anticipate here. It's a look at me and really see me...or else moment. It's like she's done not being acknowledged and respected. And it's coming in a manner that those that don't want to acknowledge her would respect.

I love the idea of Pippi as a champion. She's feisty and unique. She doesn't fit in anyone's box of how you are supposed to behave. She follows the beat of her own drum. Maybe it's time I start surrounding myself not with the terrible discouraging news of the world, but with the stories of people making a difference (either fictional or real)! Maybe that will help me start to feel a bit lighter and stronger. I still need to be aware of the world, but find a way to not dwell, but survive better!

7/21/2025 05:31:43 pm

Sara!!!! Oooooh YES! "to not dwell, but survive better!" Filling some of the space in our heads with powerful do-gooders (real or imagined) brings hope and a sense of action and advancement! Very important to balance the inner landscape. You are wise!

And thank you for seeing the provocative nature of this painting - protest in art! A statement. A "see me...or else moment" as you so beautifully put it.

Thea

7/21/2025 07:51:14 pm

Loved the animation, I laughed out loud with joy.
I admire you a lot.

7/22/2025 02:39:47 pm

Thea!!! Hooray for the magic of animation, and for laughing out loud with joy! YES!!!! xoxoxox

Carl Stoveland

7/22/2025 07:54:40 am

It speaks volumes about our times that she needs a gun to be taken seriously. Sad yet powerful and whimsical. That's a powerful elixir for next level art.

Carl

7/22/2025 02:40:41 pm

Carl!!! Thank you so much for seeing the power in her. That means so much! xoxo

Carol Edan link

7/25/2025 04:48:14 am

First had to lookup Pippa, hadn't heard about her. I do recall a figure with red hair in ponytails but can' put my finger on her name.

A strong statement indeed, but saddened that she has to use a gun. It could accidently go off!

And people may think that is the only way to make a statement!
Just some thoughts.

We all know what gender IS the strongest!

7/26/2025 03:40:58 pm

Carol!!! Pippi is the perfect role model for me these days - she just says it like it is, and refuses to conform to molds and norms. :)

The gun is for sure a controversial addition, but it symbolizes much. What does it take to be heard? What is considered to be "powerful" in the modern world? How does a woman command the room? I am ever more determined to embrace the prococative and the peculiar in art - to cause people to (hopefully) stop and think for a moment. My form of protest, I suppose?

xoxoxoxoxo

Pippi's Got A Gun

Leave a Reply.

Author

Categories

Pippi's Got A Gun

Leave a Reply.

Author

Get Mail!

Categories