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 🌸

Perfectionism and Art

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You know, Hitler wanted to be an artist . . . It was easier for Hitler to start World War II than it was for him to face a blank square of canvas. — The War of Art,  Steven Pressfield All journeys of consequence begin with small steps. Creative work means fighting what Steven Pressfield calls […]

Big Sur Thanksgiving

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Suddenly, summer turns her rosy, hot face on us. When I think of summer I immediately think of warmth, water and travel (at least for us in the northern hemisphere). For those of us in New England this week, we’ve been watching the temperatures climb into the 90’s. So, as we all try to cool […]