Naming Lady Grey

As we have been gathering friends to share in the adventure, this question keeps popping up “Why did you name your boat ‘Lady Grey’”? It’s actually quite simple.

Painting Outside: Why Do it? a real life plein air story

Warm enough to paint outside, I packed early for Seabrook, New Hampshire. Near the border of Massachusetts, Seabrook is renown for roughness. The half block deserted beach held several tantalizing lobster boats close to shore.

A New Adventure Sailing the World

Nubble Lighthouse Reflections watercolor painting with white lighthouse, blue water reflecting sky.

The last five years, from the Rockies to the Atlantic Ocean, our family has inched closer to the water.

In a few months, we will be living off the coast of South Africa, on our catamaran “Lady Grey”. So many normal things are about to change, but some things will remain the same.

Painting a Garden

Jonalyn Fincher paints a watercolor of a garden in her studio

For a watercolor artist, painting a garden is an absolute dream. Painting for a friend is even better. I adore doing commissions for people I know. Barefoot Boy I have a friend who created a cut-flowers garden. This is a commissioned painting of her son running carefree and diaper-heavy through her flower beds. That’s the […]

One Painting with All Your Ski Memories

Watercolor painting of a family skiing together down the slopes in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

One of the best things about being an artist is taking ideas that only exist in someone’s imagination and turning them into a work of art. One blank sheet of paper in which I get to paint all the memories–it’s a challenge, but I love it. I’ve been asked to paint ideas from family vacations […]

Spiritual Conversations

Downtown Exeter in Summer 15 x 30 original watercolor by Jonalyn

Before I was an artist, I was an author and speaker with a focus on sexuality and spiritual conversations. And while I’m not traveling and speaking anymore, I still have spiritual conversations with my friends and family. My First Books Those of you who came to my art show know I used to write books […]

Find the Good, Avoid the Bad Artists

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In every place on this earth, we can find the wolves. What makes an artist good and how do you spot the bad artists? How to Avoid the Wolves You can spot a bad artist by these tell-tales (not just in art, but in life) copy-cats of the most famous painters (you can easily google […]

How Do Artists Do That?

Watercolor painting of a yellow house in New England sitting over water.

“How do artists do that?”  They transform a blank sheet of paper into a scene that stops you in your tracks. They create a portrait that isn’t just the photographic replica of the person, but captures their soul.  These alchemists with paint, how do they do it?  I believe it’s more than technical skill. It […]

Commissioning Art is as Easy as 1-2-3

Jonalyn stands next to one of her collectors with his commissioned watercolor framed on the wall behind him.

Commissioning art does not have to be arduous, exorbitant or exhausting. All you need is an idea of something you want painted. Maybe it’s a favorite place, or your children or grandchildren.  Once you have an idea, commissioning art is easy as 1-2-3. Art is About Favorite Things All art begins with a meaningful idea. […]