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 […]

Reading the COVID Stories

Dozens of handwritten stories collected during Jonalyn's COVID art show,

My favorite part of my art show “Saving Lives” was reading the stories my visitors left for me. When you paint an exhibition helping people explore and remember the lockdown years, listening become such an important part of the gallery. I’m poring over these stories these days. The End of the Show Friends have asked […]

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 […]

Who Would Visit My COVID Art Show?

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My show “Saving Lives” has been open for one week now and I’m meeting many people who want to visit my COVID art show. “Saving Lives” tells the untold stories from the years of lockdowns and masking that many of us, frankly, would just like to forget forever. And yet, my show also tells the […]

The Work of Healing

Exeter Rooftops White Frame copy

My first Best in Show award, the painting that won, update on the auction, and a new post on how you know it’s time to heal a friendship. All in the post below! See you there 🌸

Weeding a Friendship

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There are two weeds that can choke out ANY friendship. Two things we have to watch for and root out whenever they rear their ugly heads. Know what they are?

Leaning In

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Back when I had only been married a year, way back before I had any idea of how much soul work I really had to do, I met Karen.  Of the thousands of therapists in Orange County, God appointed her for me. And she’s been a huge influencer in my life the last two decades. […]

When Triathletes Commission a Painting

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August is a month of pilgrimage for Americans. It’s the month we return to our holidays of choice, the special places we feel most alive or inspired to be free. August is when we return to places that nourish us, even if that’s just gardening at home. We enjoy that collective breath before the rush […]